By Johnson 
Lightopia used hard sales data, search trends, social media deep-dives, and designer brain-picking to create a comprehensive map of American lighting preferences.
From the moody industrial pendants of Brooklyn lofts to the sun-drenched coastal fixtures of California, America’s lighting preferences are as diverse as its landscapes.
Lightopia, a Costa Mesa, Calif.-based lighting showroom, conducted a nationwide survey of 1,000 Americans and found that while 64.4% of us claim to be traditionalists when it comes to lighting, there’s nothing traditional about how dramatically our preferences change from coast to coast.
Only one in five Americans would splurge on lighting that screams “local flavor” but most of us subconsciously channel our regional roots, whether we realize it or not.
Lightopia used hard sales data, search trends, social media deep-dives and designer brain-picking to create a comprehensive map of American lighting preferences.
Fun fact: The Average American spends more time choosing a Netflix show than picking out lighting for their home. Nonetheless, the living room (49.7%) is where we’re most willing to splurge on statement lighting, followed by the kitchen (21.4%).
Lightopia mapped out the entire country, region by region and state by state, to determine consumer lighting preferences. Here’s what residents of the Northeast think about lighting (all findings, commentary and images courtesy of Lightopia):
The Northeast: Where Old Money Meets New Edison Bulbs
Connecticut: Colonial Charm Meets Coastal Elegance
Connecticut lighting is like its residents: traditional with just enough modern flair to avoid being called stuffy at the country club. Here, Colonial-era chandeliers get contemporary makeovers—think fewer candles, more clean lines—while maintaining that “my ancestors came over on the Mayflower” energy.
Local Luminaries Say: “I need my foyer chandelier to say ‘I summer in the Hamptons’ without being obvious about it.”
Maine: Lighthouse Luminescence
Maine doesn’t just embrace nautical lighting—it practically invented it. If your fixture doesn’t look like it could guide ships safely to harbor during a nor’easter, is it even Maine-approved? Weathered brass, rope accents, and glass that looks like it’s been kissed by sea spray dominate here, even in homes 100 miles from the actual coast.
Local Luminaries Say: “If my pendant doesn’t look like it survived at least three perfect storms, I don’t want it.”
Massachusetts: Revolutionary Reflections
In Boston, lighting is as much about history as it is about Harvard bragging rights. Modern colonial fixtures with clean lines illuminate discussions about property taxes and the Sox’s pitching roster. Meanwhile, Cape Cod embraces fixtures that are so coastal that they practically come with complimentary seashells and a slight attitude.
Local Luminaries Say: “Our lighting is wicked smart—historically accurate but with LED technology our founding fathers could only dream of.”
New Hampshire: Granite State Glow
Live free or die! New Hampshire’s lighting choices are as sturdy and unpretentious as its residents, favoring practical fixtures that could survive a presidential primary season. Expect rustic-modern hybrids that look like they could handle being buried under 10 feet of snow without complaining.
Local Luminaries Say: “No income tax means more budget for statement lighting. But not too statement-y—we’re not Massachusetts.”
Rhode Island: Ocean State Opulence
America’s smallest state compensates with America’s most confident lighting choices. Drawing inspiration from Newport mansions and maritime heritage, Rhode Islanders favor lighting that makes a big splash in a small space. Navy blue accents and brass fixtures that look like they belong on a yacht are practically required by state law.
Local Luminaries Say: “We invented the Industrial Revolution, so yes, we know a thing or two about proper illumination.”
Vermont: Green Mountain Glow
Vermont’s lighting style reflects its deep appreciation for craftsmanship, sustainability, and local flavor. Expect handcrafted wooden fixtures—often made by artisans with names like Maple or Cedar—that pair perfectly with wide-plank floors and a cabinet full of small-batch spirits. It’s lighting that feels intentional, grounded, and just a little rustic around the edges.
Local Luminaries Say: “Our fixtures are like our maple syrup—locally sourced, artisanal, and worth the extra splurge.”
New York & New Jersey’s Metropolitan Sophistication
New York: Empire State Illumination
New York City apartments feature lighting that maximizes minimal square footage while providing enough ambiance for inhabitants to convincingly complain about their rent. Upstate, farmhouse-modern fixtures illuminate conversations about when to visit the city (answer: never during tourist season).
Local Luminaries Say: “My lighting fixture rivals my monthly parking garage fee, and in New York, that’s saying something.”
New Jersey: Garden State Grandeur
Forget what you’ve heard—Jersey lighting is sophisticated enough for a Real Housewives filming but practical enough for a Springsteen listening party. Shore homes embrace coastal vibes that say, “I’m on vacation but still checking work emails,” while suburban fixtures perfect the art of being simultaneously trendy and timeless.
Local Luminaries Say: “Yes, I need my foyer chandelier to be visible from the Turnpike. No, I will not be taking questions.”
Pennsylvania: Keystone State Klassics
Philadelphia lighting bridges colonial heritage with modern aesthetics, while Pittsburgh embraces industrial fixtures that nod to its steel city roots. The middle of the state—well, they’re just happy when the power stays on during deer season.
Local Luminaries Say: “Our lighting is like scrapple—an acquired taste that outsiders don’t quite understand.”
Do you agree? Disagree? Have a different opinion? Let us know!
Next up: The South: Where Hospitality Meets High Wattage