Whether you want to upgrade your garage ambiance or find ways to boost its curb appeal, adding the proper lighting to your outdoor space is an ideal choice. Besides, outdoor lighting is essential to ensure the safety and security of the family members as it also helps set up the home’s unique style and personality.
There are countless options available to choose from when it comes to garage lighting, including the different colors, styles, and types. However, it’s always ideal to consider function over form; therefore, it’s crucial to determine which option can be the best for your garage. Luckily, here is a guide to help you consider the key factors to illuminate your garage, advancing the safety, visibility, efficiency, and of course, the charm of the space.
There is nothing more powerful than a pendant lights, and these brands will make you believe in it if you haven’t yet.
Types of Outdoor Garage Lighting Options
- Motion Sensor Garage Lights
Motion sensor lights automatically turn on if they detect any movement within the detection area (particularly the heated objects like humans, animals, and cars). These lights can be installed on ceilings, walls, or outside, on the exterior of buildings and homes. Additionally, motion sensor lights consume less power and help you save electricity.
- Garage Coach Lights
Garage coach lights don’t offer motion sensor support, but they provide an exceptional look. These lights are available in many designs and styles, enabling users to choose the preferred one.
- Accent Lighting
Accent lights are best to highlight a specific object or area as they are three times brighter than any other light. So, if you have a trophy collection or a football table and want to showcase it, try accent lights and convert them into focal points.
- Ambient Lighting
Ambient lights are also known as general lighting. They are soft overhead lights and tend to be an ideal choice to illuminate the walls and floors so that you easily navigate the garage or towards your parking garage.
- Task Lighting
The goal is to create bright illumination while increasing the visibility for detail-oriented projects. Task lighting fixtures include pendant lights or table lamps, recessed lights, etc., for better visibility on the fine details.
Key Factors to Consider to Have the Perfect Garage Lighting
- Brightness
Most of the garage holds minor or sometimes no natural lighting. So, if you aim to improvise the visibility of every corner, consider the total number of lights you need. A couple of years back, the bulb’s brightness was measured by watts (higher wattage resembles more brightness), but now it’s measured by lumens.
The ideal lumen range for garage lighting is about 3,500. Are you thinking about how to choose lights for a garage exterior? Try using it as a baseline to determine how much lighting your outdoor garage requires. If you wish, you can research more.
- Dimensions
It is essential to measure your garage to decide the real light output needs. In fact, The Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) Lighting Handbook recommends 50 lumens (a measure of light output) per square foot in residential garages and 300 lumens per square foot in workshop areas.
In addition to this, opt for a general rule of thumb to use 50 lumens per square foot, particularly for ambient lighting, 300 lumens per square feet for those areas requiring task lighting, and somewhat 75 lumens per square feet for accent lighting.
- Color Temperature
Color temperature is a way to describe the light appearances offered by a light bulb. Also, it can be measured in degrees of Kelvin (K) between the range of 3500 to 6000K- an ideal level to get optimum brightness.
On the other hand, lights with lower temperatures will dim the space and strain the eyes. Also, the other disadvantage of lower temperature lights is that it displays a bluer light, whereas higher temperature lights display an orange one.
When it comes to garage lighting, the best temperature to aim for is 5,000K. This light will be slightly blue but not too dazzling or harsh.
4. Lifespan
Indeed, a bulb with good longevity is a better alternative as LED bulbs can easily last for 25-30 times longer than other luminous bulbs and tends to be more energy-efficient.
It is recommended to check the date before buying one and opt for extra life to save on the replacement or maintenance cost. Also, keep in mind LED garage lights hold a longer life than fluorescent bulbs — up to 50,000 hours versus less than 15,000 hours.
Wrap Up
Whether you aim to improve the curb appeal or require a well-lighted garbage space for safety and security, LED garage lights can be an ideal option as it has a better lifespan and is more cost-effective. Also, there are other lights to go for, like accent lighting, task lighting, ambient lighting, etc. But it is vital to invest in the right one. After all, lighting fixtures is a big decision, and the right choice can offer you an efficient and improvised look.
Rebecca Smith is a full-time content marketing specialist. When she is not working, David likes to work out, try new foods, and play with her dog. Currently, she is modifying her garage door and getting her garage repaired by Elite Garage Door & Gate Repair Team.
