Garage Lighting Ideas

Focus on the Overhead Fixture

When considering indoor garage lighting ideas, the most important part of your plan is the overhead fixture. For most garages, this will be the main light source. And for all your exterior garage lighting ideas, stay tuned for another installment in this article series.

Choose a High Lumen Output

The lumen output is essentially how bright the fixture is so make sure you choose a high enough lumen for the provided space. Depending on the size of your garage, stick with a lumen output range of about 1000-3000 lumens. If the space is larger, you will need a higher lumen output.

Choose a Cooler Color Temperature

Color temperature is the tone of the light in terms of yellow (warm) or white (cool). Since this is an area where visibility is important, you should stick with a cooler temperature over a warmer one. Try to aim for a range of 4000K to 5000K for the best results.

Choose the Right Type

For the overhead fixture, you should choose an option that is recessed into the ceiling if possible, such as troffer fixtures with tube lamps. In addition to keeping the overhead space clear, it also helps keep the fixture safe from damage. If you must go with a type other than recessed troffer due to the construction of the garage, opt for a garage door opening with attached light fixture since it will usually be made out of extra durable polycarbonate.

LED Garage Lighting Ideas

While LED tube bulbs and LED integrated fixtures are slightly more expensive than fluorescent options, their long lifespan and reduced energy usage helps even out that initial cost in the long run.

Task and Accent Lighting

While general lighting is crucial to bring your interior garage lighting ideas to life, task and accent lighting work with it to create a better illumination plan with layered effects. Here are three ways to incorporate this type of lighting:

Rope Lighting

This type of lighting can be used along the bottom of shelving units to help you see items as well as make it clear on the floor where the shelf starts to avoid stubbed toes or accidents. Rope lighting can also be used under cabinets to add extra illumination where needed.

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Strip Lighting

When trying to light underneath cabinets, strip lights are a great addition. They add to the general lighting of the space while also giving you more focused task lighting for workspaces in the garage.

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Recessed Can Lights

When looking to add task lighting or even a little ambiance lighting, can lights are a popular choice. You can add this type of light to an area in the garage where tasks will be performed or use it to line the perimeter of the space for added illumination.

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