Just FYI, the US NEC requires each entryway of a room in a dwelling to have a switch which can control a light. It is usually, but does not have to be, an over

Just FYI, the US NEC requires each entryway of a room in a dwelling to have a switch which can control a light. It is usually, but does not have to be, an overhead light. An alternative that is also code-conforming is to have the switch control a socket (typically, the bottom plug in several duplex receptacles in the room) where a lamp is plugged in. Sometimes people don't actually plug a lamp in there, so the switch does nothing, and maybe that's what you've been irritated by. If the wiring is done this way -- e.g., bedrooms and living rooms -- it can be quite flexible if you want to rearrange the room layout. You move the furniture and plug the lamp into the bottom receptacle where-ever it is convenient and sensible.