The garage can be used for parking and storage and as an area where you can handle all sorts of DIY projects, as well having the potential for being a gym or workshop.
Regardless of how you plan to use this area, learning how to improve garage lighting is important. You don’t want a dumbbell dropped on your foot or a nail through your thumb, after all, but when a space isn’t properly lit, accidents do happen.
The garage happens to be one of the darkest parts of the home. Usually, garages don’t have windows that allow natural in, so finding the best lighting solutions for your garage is the only way to improve things.
Garage lighting should not be treated as an afterthought. When chosen and placed stylishly, lighting can maximise function. Most homeowners rarely consider lighting, and this is a big mistake. They only consider it when something fails. But with the garage used daily, it’s important to have lighting that works at its best. This ensures that safe passage is provided inside and outside the garage.
With all that in mind, here’s how to improve garage lighting in 7 easy steps.
Illuminate The Entry
If you want to improve lighting in your garage, you need to add a sconce to ensure the entry door is illuminated. Regardless of whether the garage door is the main exit and entry point, adding a sconce on the side of the door is the best way to ensure that you get safe passage every time.
If there is exterior wall space, you should add a sconce on either side. Having an installation at head height ensures that there is no blinding glare. Finding a good option for the entry point is the first step to improving lighting.
Use Fixtures To Flank The Doors Of Your Car
To make things more comfortable whilst parking, working or relaxing in your garage, you need to see what you are doing. Backing out and pulling in, especially at night, can be tricky in a poorly lit space, but this can be fixed by the installation of fixtures near the garage door.
Sconces can direct light in a certain direction, and this reduces glare. You may also opt for photocells that can turn the lights on and off as required. You may also add fixtures above the garage doors to help with illumination.
Make Use Of Portable Lights
The other step to improve garage light is to invest in portable lights that can be moved. These are very good options and can be directed in a task-specific direction, offering illumination on work surfaces or shelves. You can also utilise portable lights to help you concentrate on any additional work projects you may be handling, if you wish.
Consider Motion Sensors
This is another very thoughtful way of lighting up the garage when needed. Motion sensors can be installed at specific points within the garage. The main aim of lighting up the area is to ensure that light is cast to the surrounding landscape and lighting up an area that is often very dark. When you have light sensors, lights will go on and off once they sense motion or lack of it.
This is one thing that can boost security and help keep both your garage and the wider home safer. In addition, this ensures that energy is not wasted and is made available when it is needed most.
Install Up Lights
Up lights should be installed at the corners to help highlight the architecture. There are garages reflecting some amazing architectural designs often found in our homes, and wooden garages in particular benefit from accent lighting that draws attention to their natural grain and craftsmanship. Up lights are an important decision. These lights are also referred to as accent lights. These lights are so called because they accent the different features.
Whether you pick outdoor or indoor garage lighting, it makes sense to find wireless controls. This means you can control everything from within your home. This is one of the best ways of being in control.
In most garages, there is just one overhead which is not always enough. Having the best garage lighting ensures there is adequate light at all times throughout the day. With the right option, you can get the best outcomes.
LED Batten Lights
LED batten lights, commonly used in barns, can be used in the garage to provide consistent, ambient, and rich light.
Generally easy to install and inexpensive, such lights are energy efficient compared to incandescent and halogen bulbs. LED battens don’t need any chemical reaction to produce light, ensuring a steady and consistent light supply throughout the years.
And while we’re on the subject, check out these advantages of LED lights over traditional bulbs, of which there are many!
Invest In Dedicated Workbench Lighting
If you use your garage as a workshop, DIY space or home gym, general overhead lighting often falls short. Shadows cast by your own body can obscure the very area you’re trying to work on, which is far from ideal when you’re handling power tools or working with small components. Similarly, dim corners and uneven lighting in a gym setup can make it harder to maintain proper form or safely rack weights.
Installing dedicated task lighting above your workbench solves the workshop problem, while additional fixtures around your gym area ensure you can see what you’re doing during early morning or evening sessions. Strip lights or adjustable arm lamps positioned directly over your work surface provide focused illumination exactly where you need it. For gym spaces, consider bright, evenly distributed overhead lighting that eliminates dark spots.
Look for options with a high colour rendering index (CRI) of 90 or above, as this ensures colours appear true to life and makes it easier to spot details, imperfections or hazards. For maximum flexibility, consider lights with adjustable brightness. Dimmer controls allow you to dial up the intensity for intricate tasks or soften things for general use, giving you full control over your workspace environment.
The Bottom Line
Good garage lighting is about more than just being able to find your car keys. Whether you’re using the space for parking, storage, a spare bedroom, home gym or weekend projects, the right lighting setup makes everything safer, more practical and more enjoyable to use.
Start by illuminating entry points and parking areas for safety, then layer in task lighting and accent options based on how you actually use the space. LED fixtures offer the best combination of brightness, energy efficiency and longevity, while motion sensors and smart controls add convenience without wasting electricity.
With a bit of thought and relatively modest investment, you can transform a dim, underused garage into one of the most functional rooms in your home.
