The Ultimate Guide to Lighting a Garage

Introduction to Garage Lighting

If you’re a car nut, a bloke who likes his gear in order, or just someone who wants to make the most of their garage, you know lighting is the first thing to get right. Good lighting transforms your garage from a gloomy cave into a safe, functional and impressive space - whether you’re working on your pride and joy, smashing out a workout or just keeping things tidy.

Before we dive into the best ways to light up your space, let’s run through the main types of lighting you’ll come across in Aussie garages and workshops.

Types of Garage Lighting: Incandescent, Fluorescent and LED

Incandescent & Halogen Lighting

Remember those old-school light bulbs - the warm, yellowish glow that used to fill every house? That’s incandescent lighting, also known as halogen when it’s in its slightly fancier form. They’ve been around forever, but let’s be honest - they’re dinosaurs now. Incandescent bulbs chew through power, don’t last long, and are being phased out across the globe. If you’ve still got one over your workbench or tucked away in a corner, it’s time to upgrade. Modern LED replacements will fit straight in, giving you more light, less heat and a big drop in your power bill.

Fluorescent Lighting

Fluorescent lights are those long tubes you see in sheds, garages, and workshops everywhere. Sometimes you’ll spot them in a bulb shape, but tubes are the classic. For years, these have been the go-to for lighting up big spaces - they’re bright, throw out a crisp white light and last much longer than the old incandescents. They’re also way more energy efficient and run a lot cooler, which is why they’ve been popular in portable work lights too. The only downside? They’re a bit fragile, so if you’re rough on your gear or need something for portable use, you might want to look elsewhere. These days, LEDs are taking over that job.

LED Lighting

Now we’re talking. LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) are the new gold standard. They’re small, tough, and ridiculously energy efficient. You won’t be swapping out bulbs every year - LEDs last for ages. They’re built to take a knock, don’t get hot and can be made splash-proof or even fully waterproof. That’s why LEDs have become the industry standard for everything from ceiling lights to handheld torches, under bonnet lights and those modular hexagon lights you see lighting up serious garages, gyms, and games rooms.

There’s one thing to keep in mind - LEDs cost a bit more up front than fluorescents and because their light is more directional, you’ll need a few more to get even coverage across a big area. But the result is worth every cent: brighter, cleaner light, lower running costs, and no more mucking around with blown bulbs.

Garage Lighting Ideas

Lighting a garage isn’t just about whacking a single bulb in the middle of the ceiling and calling it a day. To get the best out of your space, you want to layer your lighting with three key types:

• Area lighting to illuminate the whole space evenly

• Task lighting for focused work areas like benches or under the bonnet

• Portable lighting for flexible use wherever you need it

Area Lighting

Area lighting is your foundation. It’s installed as high as possible on the roof or ceiling to give maximum coverage and reduce shadows. When planning how many lumens you need, aim for around 500 lumens per square metre. If your garage roof is higher than about 3 metres, you’ll want even more light to avoid dark spots.

For a standard double garage (about 36 square metres), that’s roughly 18,000 lumens to light the whole space properly.

Fluorescent battens are still a great choice for area lighting. They offer a wide, bright, even spread and good energy efficiency. But LED batten lights and hexagon lighting kits are increasingly popular - they’re sleek, long-lasting, and look fantastic mounted on ceilings or walls. These hexagon lighting kits are perfect for garages, gyms, barber shops, and games rooms, offering modular, ultra-bright light with a modern edge.

Explore Area Lighting

Task Lighting

Task lighting is where you get serious about what you’re working on. This is the directional lighting you want over your workbench, tool wall or under bonnet.

LED strip lights are brilliant here - mount them under shelves or cabinets for bright, shadow-free light. Adjustable workbench lamps with gooseneck arms give you flexibility to shine light exactly where you need it. Under-cabinet lights are another neat option if you’ve got storage above your bench.

When choosing task lights, look for a high Colour Rendering Index (CRI) so colours appear natural - handy when you’re painting, wiring or doing detailed work. Mount task lighting just above eye level to cut down on shadows.

Portable Lighting

No matter how well you plan your fixed lighting, you’ll always need portable options for those tricky spots.

Some portable lighting options:

• Handheld torches: Rugged, rechargeable and bright, perfect for inspections and tight spaces.

• Under bonnet lights: Magnetic or clip-on lights that flood your engine bay with light.

• Rechargeable work lights: Ideal for under-car work, driveway jobs or anywhere you need extra brightness.

Portable lights are essential for flexibility and convenience, whether you’re working on the car, fixing a leak or just hunting for something in the dark.

Shop Portable Lighting by SP Tools

Shop Portable Lighting by Litestix

Best Garage Lighting: What to Look For

When you’re choosing lighting for your garage, here’s what really matters:

• Lumens over watts: Watts tell you how much power a light uses, lumens tell you how bright it is. For garages, lumens are king.

• Aim for 500 lumens per square meter for general lighting, more if your ceilings are high.

• Colour temperature: Go for cool white (4000–6500K). It’s bright and crisp, helping you see true colours.

• Durability: Look for IP ratings for dust and moisture resistance, especially in garages.

• Beam angle: Wider beams cover more area and reduce shadows.

• Energy efficiency: LED lights are the best bet for saving power and running cool.

Garage Gym Lighting Ideas

If your garage doubles as a gym, lighting can make or break your workout vibe.

• Use bright, even ambient lighting like LED battens or hexagon panels on the ceiling.

• Add task lighting over benches or racks for focused light.

• Consider dimmable lights so you can adjust brightness depending on your workout.

• Stick with cool white (around 5000K) for an energising daylight feel.

• Smart lighting options let you control everything from your phone for convenience.

Safe Lighting Practices

It’s easy to get carried away with all the bells and whistles of modern garage lighting, but safety should always come first. For starters, don’t go staring straight into your lights - especially the high-powered LEDs. It’s a quick way to end up seeing spots instead of your next project. If the glare is giving you grief, look for lights with adjustable brightness or variable settings so you can dial it down when needed.

Still got an old incandescent work light hanging around? Be careful - those globes heat up fast and can burn you before you know it. They’re also a real hazard if you’re working with paint, solvents or anything flammable. Upgrading to LED isn’t just about better light and efficiency; it’s about peace of mind. LEDs stay cool to the touch and are much safer to use in a busy workshop, though the bigger units can still warm up at the back end, so give them a minute to cool down before you pack up.

And here’s a tip every seasoned shed warrior knows - keep electricity and liquids well apart. If you’re working on anything that might get messy or wet, stick to battery-powered, waterproof lights. It’s an easy way to avoid unwanted shocks and keep your workspace drama-free.

A bit of caution goes a long way in the garage. With the right gear and a little bit of care, you’ll keep your space safe and your projects rolling without a hitch.

Final Thoughts

A well-lit garage is safer, more functional, and a better place to spend your time. Whether you’re detailing a classic, smashing out a workout, or just keeping your toys in order, the right lighting makes all the difference.

With Organised Workshop’s range of handheld torches, under bonnet lights, and hexagon lighting, you’ll have every corner covered - no matter what you’re into.

Light up your garage, gym or man cave and enjoy every minute you spend in your organised workshop.