The expectation of a new baby is an exciting and hectic time for any new parent, whether it's the first child or the fifth. Decorating a nursery can be a difficult task because there are several things to be considered. Looks are important, but safety and functionality should be of the utmost importance, especially when deciding on which nursery lamps to use. Lighting is important in every room, but lighting in the nursery may have slightly higher expectations to live up to.

When most people think of shopping for baby furniture, they usually think about a crib, changing table, dresser and maybe a rocking chair. Some new parents may not realize that a nursery lamp is also a vital part of baby furniture. They should be easy to reach and turn on, especially while juggling a baby in one hand.

Placement is also important; especially as your child reaches the age that they are able to stand in their crib. Nursery lighting should be far enough away from the crib so your little precious can't reach it and get burned or even start a fire.

One of the best ways to keep a nursery lamp out of the way but still in a convenient place is to hang it on the wall. Wall sconces can be a nice touch as accent lighting or as the primary lighting in the room. They shouldn't be hung directly over the crib for safety reasons. About two feet above the crib and off to one side of it will supply adequate lighting and keep it at a safe distance. Wall sconces can be found in a variety of colors and themes especially for use as a nursery lamp. Whether you are decorating with a popular cartoon character or in classic pastels, hanging lamps can be matched to whatever you like.

Nursery lamps should have soft, low wattage bulbs or a three-way bulb that allows you to change the level of light that comes from it. This is especially useful for putting a barely-sleeping baby to bed and not tripping over everything on your way out the door. Lamps with dimmer options are very handy because they allow a smooth transition from bright to dim and eventually off. Anyone with a fussy baby knows how important it is to have a seamless transfer from Mom's arms to the crib, and sudden switching off lights can disturb this.

Tall floor Torchieres make great nursery lighting, especially if they have two or more separate bulbs that can be pointed in different directions. With one flick of the switch, you can light up the baby's crib, then the changing table. The third one can be used with a low wattage bulb pointed directly to the ceiling for a dim night light. Task-oriented lighting is a good idea when planning the lighting.

You will want two or three direct light sources to the various places you may be. This is especially useful while the baby is sleeping and you are putting up clothes in her dresser. You can turn on a soft light from the nursery lamp by the dresser and leave the baby undisturbed in the crib across the room. Remember that function and safety should come first, but aesthetics should not be forgotten. If you want the nursery lamp to stand out, it can match the primary color of the room. If you want it to blend in, get a nursery lamp that is the same color as the wall and tuck it into a corner. Having a baby is a difficult and rewarding job. Make things a little easier by choosing nursery lamps that offer a little or a lot of light and the options to choose which one.