First and foremost, you will need a reading light in a finish that matches the rest of the decor and colour scheme of the room. Modern bedrooms with minimal decor will benefit from chrome, white or black finishes.
On the other hand, rustic-style rooms would look better with a wood finish. If you have a more traditional bedroom, you can choose a statement lamp to break up the monotony, and add a bold design element to the look. You also have the option of adding more than one to create a patterned appearance and decorate the wall.
Another thing to consider is what other lights are in the room. If your bedroom has just a single ceiling pendant light, it’s a good idea to use two bedside lights. With a reading light on both sides of the bed, you can be sure that the light is spread more effectively throughout the space. This is even better if the lights have a general lamp as well as a flexible arm.
Finally, while symmetry isn’t as important with bedroom lighting as it is in other rooms, it’s ideal to try and balance and layer the lights. You also want a warm colour temperature in which the light blends in with the other illumination in the room. Most commonly, this is a 300k warm white colour.