Lighting Store in Memphis

June 15, 2026

Unlike national e-commerce sites that show fixtures only as photographs, a Memphis lighting store lets buyers stand under a chandelier, judge the true color of a finish, and ask about scale and dimming before committing. Lighting showrooms are retailers rather than a licensed trade, so a store selling chandeliers, pendants, recessed and LED fixtures, lamps, ceiling fans, and outdoor lighting needs no special Tennessee professional license to operate. Memphis is Tennessee’s second-largest city, with a population of roughly 618,980 as of 2024 (U.S. Census Bureau), and a deep stock of historic and mid-century homes across Midtown, East Memphis, and the surrounding Shelby County suburbs that keeps demand for both new fixtures and lamp repair steady through the year.

A showroom and an online retailer fill different roles. Online stores compete on price and breadth, but a physical Memphis showroom lets a buyer compare fixture sizes side by side, see how warm and cool LED color temperatures change a room, and get advice on hanging height for a foyer or stairwell. Several Memphis stores also pair retail sales with services that web sellers cannot match, including lamp repair, chandelier rewiring, and custom lampshade work, which matter in a city with so many older homes and heirloom fixtures. Many showrooms maintain contractor and builder accounts and offer design consultation, and some carry lines from manufacturers represented by the American Lighting Association (ALA), the trade group that certifies lighting consultants and publishes residential lighting guidance.

Selling lighting in Tennessee is simple from a regulatory standpoint because it is retail, not contracting. A store registers for a standard business license through the county clerk once annual gross receipts exceed $3,000, and it collects the state’s 7% sales tax plus the local option tax; in Shelby County the combined rate reaches roughly 9.75%. No state professional license is required to sell fixtures. The licensing line is crossed only when fixtures are installed: hard-wiring a chandelier, adding a circuit, or replacing recessed cans is electrical work, which Tennessee regulates through the Board for Licensing Contractors (an electrical contractor license is required for projects of $25,000 or more) and through local permitting and electrical inspection in Memphis and Shelby County. Buyers who purchase a fixture and need it installed should confirm their electrician is properly licensed for the scope of the job.

Product selection in Memphis showrooms spans decorative and functional categories: chandeliers and pendants, recessed and LED fixtures for general lighting, vanity and bath fixtures, table and floor lamps, ceiling fans, and outdoor lighting. Repair and restoration is a Memphis strength, with stores that rewire chandeliers, build custom shades, and replace glass for fixtures that cannot simply be bought new. Energy-efficient LED lighting now dominates the market, and showroom staff can advise on dimmer compatibility, color temperature in kelvins, and increasingly smart or connected lighting. On the consumer-protection side, Tennessee’s framework is administered by the Division of Consumer Affairs under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCA 47-18-104), which handles complaints about deceptive trade practices. Buyers should keep itemized receipts that separate fixtures, any installation labor, and tax, and can verify a retailer’s registration through the Tennessee Secretary of State and an installer’s license through the Board for Licensing Contractors at tn.gov.

Top Lighting Store Providers in Memphis

1. Seth’s Lighting & Accessories

Address: 8250 US-64, Memphis, TN 38133
Phone: (901) 377-5222
Website: https://www.sethslighting.com
Services: chandeliers, pendant lighting, ceiling fans, sconces, bathroom and vanity lighting, table and buffet lamps, floor lamps, Tiffany lamps, mirrors, wall art, home decor, special orders
Description: Seth’s Lighting & Accessories is a family-owned Memphis lighting store that has operated since 1967 and describes itself as a third-generation family business serving Memphis and all of Shelby County. The showroom on US-64 carries a broad selection of lighting and home decor in both traditional and contemporary styles, including chandeliers, pendants, ceiling fans, sconces, bath lighting, and a range of lamps. The company offers special-order assistance for customers who need a fixture not in stock, and its sales staff helps with lighting selections. As one of the longest-running dedicated lighting retailers in the Memphis market, Seth’s combines decades of showroom experience with a deep catalog spanning fixtures, lamps, and accessories.

2. Graham’s Lighting Fixtures

Address: 550 S Cooper Street, Memphis, TN 38104
Phone: (901) 274-6780
Website: https://grahamsliving.com
Services: chandeliers, pendants, indoor and decorative lighting, outdoor lighting, lamps, ceiling fans, fine hardware, custom lighting, design consultation, builder and trade service
Description: Graham’s is a family-owned lighting business founded in 1957 by Dottie and Jimmy Graham, who originally hand-made exterior lanterns that became a fixture on historic Memphis homes. The company operates a Memphis showroom on South Cooper Street in Midtown, along with a location in Cordova at 8150 Macon Road, and carries respected decorative-lighting lines including Visual Comfort, Hinkley Lighting, Capital Lighting, and Crystorama. Beyond its standard catalog, the company is known for custom lighting work for situations that call for special fixtures or unusual accommodations, such as track, up-lighting, and cabinet lighting. Decades in business and a strong base of established brands make Graham’s a long-standing choice for both homeowners and trade buyers in the Memphis market.

3. Lamp Shade House

Address: 4870 Summer Avenue, Memphis, TN 38122
Phone: (901) 767-3220
Website: https://lshmemphis.com
Services: lampshades, lamps, finials and bases, light bulbs, lamp repair, chandelier rewiring, custom lampshades, replacement glass and chimneys, lampshade relining, lamp mounting and design
Description: Lamp Shade House is a Memphis specialty store on Summer Avenue that has operated since 1993, focusing on lamps, lampshades, and lighting repair rather than new fixtures alone. The shop stocks a large selection of shades, finials, bases, and lamp-building supplies, and its core strength is service: lamp repair, chandelier rewiring, custom shade fabrication, replacement glass and chimneys, and shade relining. For Memphis homeowners with an heirloom lamp, an antique chandelier, or a fixture that needs a custom shade, the store fills a niche that mass-market and online retailers generally do not. The combination of an in-stock shade inventory with hands-on repair and custom work makes it a practical resource for maintaining and restoring existing lighting.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lighting Stores in Memphis

Q: Does a Memphis lighting store need a special license to sell fixtures?

No. Selling lighting fixtures is retail, not a licensed trade, so a Memphis lighting showroom needs no special Tennessee professional license. It registers for a standard business license through the county clerk once annual gross receipts exceed $3,000 and collects state and local sales tax. A license becomes relevant only when fixtures are installed, because hard-wiring is electrical work regulated by the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors and local permitting in Memphis and Shelby County.

Q: How much is sales tax on a lighting purchase in Memphis?

Tennessee charges a 7% state sales tax on retail goods, and Shelby County adds a local option tax that brings the combined rate to roughly 9.75%. If a store also installs the fixture or repairs a lamp, ask for an itemized invoice that separates goods, any labor, and tax, since labor may be treated differently from the merchandise.

Q: Can a Memphis store repair or rewire an antique chandelier or lamp?

Yes. Repair and restoration is a Memphis strength. Stores such as Lamp Shade House handle lamp repair, chandelier rewiring, custom lampshades, and replacement glass, which is valuable in a city with many older homes and heirloom fixtures. Hard-wired rewiring that ties back into a home’s electrical system, however, may still require a licensed electrician for the installation portion.

Q: Do I need a licensed electrician to install a chandelier or recessed lighting?

For hard-wired fixtures, in most cases yes. Swapping a fixture on an existing box can be simple, but adding circuits, installing recessed cans, or wiring a heavy chandelier is electrical work. Tennessee regulates electrical contracting through the Board for Licensing Contractors, which requires a license for projects of $25,000 or more, and Memphis and Shelby County require permits and inspection for many jobs. Confirm your electrician is licensed for the scope of the work.

Q: What is the American Lighting Association, and does it matter?

The American Lighting Association (ALA) is the trade group for the residential lighting industry. It certifies lighting consultants and publishes guidance on fixture selection, layout, and energy use. Many Memphis showrooms carry brands from ALA-affiliated manufacturers. ALA participation is not a legal requirement, but it indicates that a store engages with the industry’s training and standards.

Q: How do I file a complaint against a Memphis lighting retailer?

Complaints about deceptive trade practices or pricing disputes can be filed with the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs, which enforces the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCA 47-18-104). If the dispute involves installation by a licensed electrical contractor, it can also be directed to the Board for Licensing Contractors. Keeping the itemized receipt, any written estimate, and photographs of defective merchandise strengthens a complaint.