6 Independent Lighting Studios You Should Know
The best lighting doesn’t just brighten a room, it shapes it. Independent studios are pushing lighting design in new directions, creating pieces that feel thoughtful, sculptural, and personal. Here are six U.S.-based makers worth keeping on your radar.
Research.Lighting makes fixtures that are minimal but never plain. Their pendants, sconces, and chandeliers carry a sculptural edge that feels quietly confident. Each piece is assembled by hand in Brooklyn using steel, brass, and glass, and the designs strike a balance between functional lighting and functional art. Think of it as minimalism with just enough warmth to keep things human.
Souda is all about bold ideas and playful materials. Their lighting collections explore the unexpected, from recycled plastics to slip-cast leather molds. The results are sculptural and a little cheeky, making Souda a favorite for anyone who wants their lighting to start conversations.
Apparatus Studio has become a design-world darling for good reason. Their handmade fixtures combine luxurious materials like brass and glass with a distinctly modern sense of proportion. Each piece feels like a statement, but one that leans into mood rather than flash.
Allied Maker focuses on clean lines, natural materials, and serious craftsmanship. Their designs are architecturally precise but never stiff. It’s the kind of lighting that works as well in a residential loft as it does in a boutique hotel lobby.
Hennepin Made is known for hand-blown glass that feels soft, organic, and timeless. Their opaline glass pendants and sconces glow with a warmth that works beautifully in both historic spaces and contemporary interiors.
Cedar & Moss makes lighting that feels quietly modern. Based in the Pacific Northwest, their pieces often mix black finishes with brass and wood, offering a refined balance of elegance and utility. Everything is made to order, giving each design a sense of intentionality.
Independent lighting studios bring personality back into design. Whether it’s the minimal charm of Research.Lighting, the experimental energy of Souda, or the craftsmanship of Allied Maker and Hennepin Made, these are the kinds of fixtures that don’t just light a room, they give it character.