Lighten up, will ya?

Another way to put some real pizzaz in your child's nursery is to get creative with light fixtures. Your typical big bedding suppliers aren't always a big help with this... they've got the cookie cutter table lamps to match your crib ensemble, but that just makes me want to hit *snooze*, roll over and go back to sleep.

Lighting is often overlooked, no matter the room. Fun fixtures and proper lighting can bring dramatic effect to a room, so take some time to find the perfect pieces for your most perfect nursery. If you've got a standard ceiling mounted dome light or fan in the center of the nursery, consider replacing it with a youthful chandelier. There are a lot of affordable pendant and chandelier fixtures for children's rooms. Lighting is something you can spend a lot of money on, but it's definitely not necessary.

The Pottery Barn family of stores is one of my favorites for home accessories. Both Pottery Barn Kids and PB Teen have a great selection of unique lighting for children's rooms. I actually think PB Teen has the better collection of the two, so don't go thinking the "teen" version only sells bean bags and locker accessories. They actually have a wide array of items that would be very fitting in a nursery. Another budget-friendly favorite? Crate and Barrel's Land of Nod. Here are some great, affordable options for chandeliers...

Pottery Barn Kids Ella Chandelier in white, $129

Land of Nod Whoopsie Daisy Chandelier, $119

Pottery Barn Kids Mia Chandelier, $169

PB Teen Rose Pop Chandelier, $129.99 on sale (from $299)

PB Teen Chalet Chandelier, $99.99-$150 on sale (from $199)

Land of Nod Doe a Deer, a Female Chandelier, $89

PB Teen Preppy Bouquet Chandelier, $159 on sale (from $199)

Posh Tots also has a huge selection of chandeliers, but you'll pay a lot more. It's a great place to browse for design inspiration, so have a look. They've got endless options for lighting and tons of other accessories. But this little diddy alone will set you back $690...

Posh Tots Squiggles Scrolled Chandelier, $690

Another creative look for lighting is a wall-mounted sconce. The cool thing about wall fixtures is they serve two important roles: lighting and wall décor. Going for a nautical feel? I love the classic look of this old fashioned lantern...

Pottery Barn Kids Fisherman Wall Lamp, $69

A simple wall shade is also a great look that's really versatile. You can switch out the shade for an entirely new feel within seconds.

Pottery Barn Kids Cortland Sconce, $79 (shade sold separately)

Some funky animal print shades on this great wall sconce from Ballard Designs would look fabulous in a nursery if you're wanting to get a little wild!

Ballard Designs Davenport Sconce, $129 (shades sold separately)

See how fun lighting can be? I hope you have some new bright ideas to up the *fabulous* in your nusery. But fixtures alone are half the battle... make sure you play around with different bulbs to get the proper lighting in each spot of your child's room. In a nursery, consider adding a dimmer switch. It's incredibly cheap and easy to do on your own. As with any lighting project, do take precautions and consider hiring an electrician - especially if you're doing fixed wall sconces that will require special wiring. Atlanta area gals, I have a great electrician for such a need, so feel free to contact me for info.