Garage Lighting Ideas That Improve Productivity, Visibility, and Safety

How many lumens do I need for a garage?

Use the task level to size the system, then back into total lumens. For general movement and storage, target about 20–30 foot-candles on the floor. For workshop benches, detailing, or mechanical work, target about 50–75 foot-candles at the work surface. Multiply the target foot-candles by the garage area (square feet) to estimate delivered lumens, then account for ceiling height, fixture distribution, and surface reflectance. If walls and ceiling are dark, plan additional light output to maintain the same measured levels.

What color temperature is best for garage lighting?

For most garages and light commercial bays, 4000K provides neutral visibility without the blue cast that can make surfaces look harsh. Use 5000K for task-heavy areas where contrast and small-part visibility matter. Use 3500K when the garage is more of a multi-use room and you want a warmer appearance. Keep all fixtures in the same space at one CCT to avoid visible color mismatch.

What CRI should garage lighting be?

Specify 80+ CRI for general garage and storage use. If the space is used for paint matching, detailing, inspections, or electrical work where accurate color and differentiation matter, specify 90+ CRI in the work zones. Mixing CRI levels is acceptable if the higher-CRI fixtures are focused over benches or inspection areas.

How should I space ceiling lights in a garage?

Spacing depends on ceiling height and beam distribution. As a baseline, place rows so the light patterns overlap before they drop below the target level on the floor. For typical 8–10 ft ceilings using linear shop lights or wide-distribution fixtures, start around 4–6 ft between fixtures within a row and 6–8 ft between rows, then adjust based on measured shadows at the bench and vehicle sides. Avoid placing a single row down the center only, which leaves vertical surfaces and corners underlit.

Where should task lights go to avoid shadows at a workbench?

Mount task lighting slightly in front of the primary standing position so your body does not block the beam onto the work surface. For a wall-mounted bench, place a linear fixture or under-shelf light near the front edge of upper shelving, and add a ceiling fixture centered 18–24 inches in front of the bench edge. Aim for uniformity across the bench depth to prevent a bright front edge and dim rear zone.

Do I need 0–10V dimming in a garage?

0–10V dimming is useful when the garage is multi-use, when adjacent spaces require different levels, or when you want to reduce output during non-task periods. If the garage is a simple on/off space, standard switching is often sufficient. If you plan occupancy sensing with partial-on or scheduled light reduction, verify the driver supports 0–10V control and confirm the control strategy (full-off vs low-level) before purchase.

Are motion sensors recommended for garage lighting?

Yes, especially for intermittent-use garages, storage bays, and light commercial service areas. Use occupancy sensors for enclosed spaces where line-of-sight is limited and PIR sensors for open areas with predictable movement. If the garage door is frequently opened with limited motion inside, choose a sensor with adjustable sensitivity and time delay so lights do not shut off during brief stationary tasks.

What fixture type works best for low ceilings?

For 8–9 ft ceilings, use low-profile wide-distribution fixtures such as linear shop lights, wraparound-style fixtures, or flat-panel surface mounts to reduce glare while maintaining coverage. Avoid narrow-beam sources that create bright spots and shadow bands. If the ceiling is finished and aesthetics matter, use surface-mount architectural linear fixtures with diffuse lenses and a wide distribution.

How do I reduce glare from bright LED garage fixtures?

Select fixtures with diffused lenses, larger emitting surfaces, and wide distributions rather than exposed point sources. Place fixtures so the primary viewing angle from the garage door and workbench is not directly into the lens. If glare is still an issue, increase the number of fixtures and lower individual fixture output to maintain the same measured light level with better visual comfort.

Should I light the walls in addition to the floor?

Yes. Vertical illumination improves visibility for tool storage, shelving labels, vehicle sides, and safety awareness. A layout with two rows of ceiling fixtures closer to the side walls generally performs better than a single center row. For garages with tall shelving, add linear wall-mounted fixtures or aimable task lights to prevent dark vertical bands.

What voltage should I specify for garage lighting?

Most residential garages use 120V circuits. Light commercial garages may use 120–277V drivers, especially when fixtures are shared across mixed commercial spaces. Verify the branch circuit voltage before specifying fixtures. If you are standardizing fixtures across multiple sites, choosing 120–277V can simplify procurement as long as the driver and controls are compatible with the installed wiring and switching.

How do I estimate energy use and operating cost?

Multiply fixture wattage by quantity to get total connected load (watts). Convert to kilowatts by dividing by 1000, then multiply by operating hours to estimate kWh. Apply your utility rate to estimate cost. If you add occupancy sensing, the savings come from reduced runtime rather than reduced wattage, so confirm expected hours of use and sensor time-delay settings.

Do I need damp-location or wet-location ratings in a garage?

Use damp-location rated fixtures when the garage experiences elevated humidity, temperature swings, or occasional condensation. Use wet-location rated fixtures when the fixture can be exposed to direct water contact, persistent moisture, or frequent washdown. If the garage is conditioned and stays dry, standard dry-location fixtures may be acceptable, but ratings should match actual conditions to avoid premature failure.

What is a practical lighting layout for a two-car garage?

A common approach is two rows of linear fixtures running front-to-back, positioned closer to the vehicle sides rather than directly over the centerline. Add a dedicated fixture over the workbench area and consider supplemental vertical lighting for shelving. This layout improves coverage on vertical surfaces and reduces shadows created by vehicles and equipment.

Which category should I use to shop compatible fixtures?

Use LED shop and garage lighting for high-output general illumination fixtures and common garage-ready form factors. For task-heavy layouts, you may also pair garage fixtures with linear or ceiling-mounted options from related commercial categories when you need a specific distribution or control method.