I agree with fori. If you can have both it is nice. I don't have an overhead light in my current master, and I miss it a lot. When I had both I tended to use the bedside lamps for reading only since the overhead light was too bright.

Personally, I do not like a ceiling light in the bedroom. However, we do have recessed lights in a corner of our bedroom that light a specific area with a light switch. They illuminate the room without putting a harsh light overhead. If you are willing to get an electrician to do any lighting changes, have a switch installed that will turn on your table lamps. However, I say that knowing that I also have the recessed corner lighting as an option.
It also depends on your natural light. With windows, doors to the outside, etc. overhead lighting is not always necessary, especially during the day. At night, you probably only need enough light to read by in bed or illuminate your way in the dark.

When I remodeled my home, I made a few changes in the MBR lighting that I love living with.

First, a light switch is installed next to the bed so I can easily flip on the lights plugged into the circuit.....there are 3 lights around the bedroom that are controlled by this switch. The switch at the bedroom door controls the same 3 lights. I really like the option of being able to turn on/off 3 lights by these 2 switches, and that I can easily do it from the bed.

Secondly, I had the electrician install 2 spotlights (flush mounted into the ceiling) that focus on the MBR's fireplace and artwork. These 2 spotlights (rather like very small fish eye lights, if that's the right term) are on a dimmer, so I can bring the lights up as bright or as low as I want. At night, I love being able to turn the lights on low, giving me enough light for whatever I'm doing in the bedroom, and yet having more subdued lighting than the switched lights. I really like this option.

Both of these lighting changes have greatly enhanced the lighting in the MBR and the way I use it. Paying the electrician for these changes was definitely worth it!

Not a fan of overhead lighting, so I would opt for having the electrician wire one of the lamps to the doorway switch. None of our bedrooms has overhead lighting, and I would never want it.

The only reason I would say to have both is this:

If the switch by the door works the lamps, but you turn the lamps Off from the socket on the lamp when you go to sleep the lights may not be on the next time you go to turn them on from the door. If you have an overhead light you can use it on occasion to light the way into the room (or for vacuuming and such), but generally use the lamps for ambient light and reading.

I have no ceiling lights anywhere in the apartment except the front hall and kitchen (very old house) and when I was painting my new house for the renters we used the overhead lights in the bedrooms. I found that they did not light all that effectively where I felt I needed it, it caused glare and shadows and I left with a headache. I will probably keep them when I move in for the reasons above, but I will definitely rewire the switches for the lamps.

I have a ceiling fan in my MB with low wattage light bulbs. Electrican put them on separate switches. I would have loved a chandelier in my MB - but I really enjoy having a fan.
I also had the electrian wire my lights to be turned off w/a switch by the door. Also put 2 small lights over my bed so if I want to read at nite it works well. The switch for those lights are by the door and another one by the bed.

I wanted my spare bedrooms to also have switches for the table lights, but I guess he forgot. But, those rooms also have a fan w/low light bulbs.

Lots and lots of designers use the lamp only thing, but I don't see how lamps can ever sufficiently light a room on their own. I do love how lamp light fills in and enhances the overhead light. One thing I can tell you is that ceiling fan light kits have the most glaring horrible light you can imagine. Both my bedroom and living room are lit this way and I HATE it!!! I must have a fan in my bedroom as I can't sleep without it. I was thinking about replacing my ceiling fan in the living room with some type of pretty chandelier with shades to soften the glaring light. For the bedroom, I have already purchased a lovely Emerson fan that has a subdued opaque globe that should cut down on the glare, but that will not be enough light for the room. I don't know what to do about that issue.

Every room should have 5 sources of lighting. In my bedroom, I have 2 nightstand lamps, 2 buffet style lamps on my vanity, & a chandalier overhead.

I'm a big believer in dimmer switches in rooms - any room. You can vary your lighting need according to reading, dressing, or romance.

Since you don't have a wall switch, I'd have one installed with a dimmer plus a switch/dimmer for an overhead light/fan for whichever you prefer.

I love to have lots of light when I want it in any room. In my bedroom I have bedside lamps that are just switched on the lamp, but they do have three way bulbs. I have a wonderful matte white Casablanca ceiling fan that has a very subtle satin glass globe for soft overhead light. It isn't really bright, but works well for overall lighting and I too, can't sleep without a fan.The fan has an on/off switch at the door and a remote control at bedside. I have a floor lamp by my reading chair with a switch only on the lamp. I also have a lamp on a chest of drawers that is plugged in to an outlet that is switched at the door. A little TMI, but I would want at least one switched at door that wasn't bedside lamp for reason Pal mentioned.

Liz

I have recessed lights on a dimmer switch with a remote and two sets of lamps. I mostly use just the lamps, but I love having the overhead light when I'm cleaning. When I'm reading, I'll use the overhead lights on about 50% brightness and the lamps. I keep the remote in my bedside table so that I can control the overheads from my bed. The switch is just as you walk into the room.

Not a fan of overhead lighting either...but when one is hunting something in a dresser drawer it can be helpful. My answer is both...but I use the overhead ONLY when I'm hunting for something!

I simply detest overhead lighting in any room other than chandeliers over dining tables which have dimmers. In our present home we have ceiling fans in bedrooms and family room, no overheads. In other homes we've owned where overheads were already installed it was forbidden to turn them on. We have 5 lamps in our large master (switch on wall for the 2 night table lamps) and other smaller guest bedrooms have 2-3 lamps. I'm just fanatical about not liking overhead bedroom lighting.

What others have said, multiple options. We have ceiling fans in our bedrooms that we run every night so that was never not an option. But also lamps on the dresser, bedside table lamps, lamp on top of the armoire, etc.

I also have some antique crystal candlestick lamps on each bedside table in the master, along with the the big reading lamps, and those are wonderful to turn on in the middle of the night when needed. About 12 watts and they are a handy lightening addition to the room.

Well I sure got lots of replies and I think the majority seem to feel that we should have both just in case they are needed.
I'm my case the master bedroom is small and one entire wall is pax wardrobes built in.
Then there is the queen bed and two night tables with lamps.
That is everyting. I told you it was small.
I think that I might like a fan,so I am going to have the electrician put in an overhead in the middle of room and hopefully a switch for bedside lamps.
Ideally another switch near lamps to turn off, we will see what the costs will run.
Oh,yes, I also have some of the strip lights when you open the built ins but they really only light a bit.
Thanks for all the replies.

we have a ceiling fan centered on the bedroom ceilings with lights. it's a casablanca which has 6 fan and light level options, so they can be lit very dimly...but very rarely do i put them on... even so, i don't think i would want only lamps... every once in a blue moon, it's helpful to have more light in there.

Nobody likes the way ceilings fan look, who wouldn't rather have a chandelier or beautiful fixture, but for many people, it's just a part of life. As much as having a trash can, necessary, so you do the best with it.

Nobody likes the way ceilings fan look

I do ... always have. Doesn't mean I like all the styles out there, but I'm pleased with my choices.

Agree that multiple light options are the way to go. I don't often turn on the ceiling fan light, but I'm glad it's there when I need it.

We have bedside lamps, and a ceiling fan, with switches by the bed. I absolutely insisted on a ceiling fan. I have to have it on when I'm sleeping. It's a nice looking fan, and the light fixture is a lovely amber color. Very soft, not glaring at all. Some of the older fan lights had several globes with the bulbs facing down, and those were awful. I don't really like ceiling fans in 8' ceilings.

I also have a ceiling fan with lights, two lamps on my 7 foot dresser and a bedside lamp. The worst is the overhead by itself. I like the two lamps and I have a switch by the door that controls the outlet where they are plugged in.

I thought about having only a fan with no lights, but there are times I appreciate that extra light. Most times I flip on the two lamps on the dresser and then walk over and turn on the beside lamp. The lighting from lamps is much less harsh than the overheads.

I use both, and I love the overhead when cleaning, etc. Very functional.

And with all the beautiful overhead light fixtures there are now, it's hard to resist!

We actually lived for years with a ceiling light that not only reminded us unpleasantly whenever we forgot to turn it off before hopping in bed, but which also failed to put adequate light where we did need it. No. We fixed that problem in this house. No unnecessary ceiling clutter. No wincing eye abuse. Now, as a vehicle for crystals or other mobile art, that would be different.

OTOH, since we like to read and sometimes just relax and chat in bed, bedside lamps, pretty ones of course, are absolutely necessary to us. BTW, although there are lamps in a couple other places, we did connect the wall switch to my husband's side so it could be turned off from bed. Simple, works great, definitely recommend it.