The 13 Best Garage Lighting Ideas That Work For Any Budget

There are many reasons you may be wondering about how to improve your garage lighting. Perhaps you recently completed a garage floor upgrade and want to install fixtures that will make the space look like a dealership showroom. Maybe your garage doubles as a workshop or home gym that needs better task lighting. Or you could just be tired of trying to rush all your grocery bags inside before your garage door light automatically turns off. Whether you want to increase functionality and improve visibility or you're focused on enhancing safety and deterring intruders, we've rounded up 13 garage lighting ideas that will make your space brighter on a budget.

To figure out which garage lights are best, you'll need to consider more than just how you use the space. Along with overall brightness, think about color temperature. 5000K is a good all-purpose choice because it's similar to daylight, but if you want to create a certain ambiance you may want to use warmer or cooler colors. Ease of installation is another important factor. Hardwiring new overhead lighting is an electrical project best left to a professional, but other options that simply need to be mounted and plugged in are relatively simple to DIY. Although most of the lighting ideas on our list are inexpensive, the cost of adding several lights can add up. Thoroughly research your lighting choice to make sure it will be durable and long-lasting in your area's climate.  

Linkable tube lights that offer high brightness are an excellent choice if you need smooth illumination in a garage with low ceilings. Choose ones that flush-mount against your ceiling using clips that can easily be screwed into your drywall. Thousands of customers like the Barrina LED T5 Integrated Utility Shop Lights from Amazon because they are easily connected to each other. They can be either hardwired or plugged in and turned on with a corded switch. Available in warm, cool, daylight, and super bright colors, each light is 4 feet long. A six pack costs under $60.

When your garage ceilings are higher and you want to quickly brighten up the entire space, an adjustable multi-panel light fixture can be an excellent choice. Similar in size to a semi-flush mounted light, thousands of users like the $18 Aoretic 6 Plus 1 Deformable Panel Shop Light from Amazon because instead of requiring complicated hardwiring, you simply screw it in like a lightbulb. To avoid casting shadows, which is common with more traditional semi-flush lights, choose an adjustable panel model that can help you illuminate every nook and cranny in your garage.

Along with improving the overall ambiance of your garage, under cabinet lighting can improve safety by eliminating shadows and illuminating countertops directly below. LED strips are a classic choice, but there are dozens of stunning under cabinet lighting ideas that can get your home glowing. If you have cabinets that wrap around a corner of your garage, consider a product like the $90 Govee RGBIC LED Skirting Lines from Amazon, which can be cut to a customized size prior to installation.

When space is at a premium, either because your garage has low ceilings or just one narrow bay, try integrating your lighting with the garage door opener itself. This will provide a bright, central light source in addition to opening and closing even the heaviest doors. Hundreds of users like beamUP's Smart Garage Door Openers, which have bright, edge-to-edge LED lights that connect to the built-in motion detector or can be controlled with the included remote.

For some of us, a garage is just as likely to be used for our latest woodworking or gardening project as it is to store our vehicles. Whether you're doing a detailed home repair project or working under your car, task lighting is essential because it helps you see more clearly, reduces eye strain, and keeps potentially hazardous spots illuminated which can prevent injury. From hanging and clip-on options to adjustable flood lights like the highly rated $39 GLORIOUS-Lite LED Work Light, there are many task lights on the market that can suit your specific needs.

It's hard to beat natural light, and there are plenty of ways to take advantage of it in your garage. Of course, the most obvious way is to leave your garage door open as much as possible. But when that's not an option, because of bugs or harsh weather, add some windows. If you don't already have windows installed, try switching your solid garage door for one that has clear or frosted window panels. If your budget allows, you can also add natural light to your garage with the addition of a skylight.

Is your garage something of a hangout spot, for your kids, your jam band, or neighbors who love to congregate at your place to catch up after work? To make your garage feel even more welcoming, pick a lighting solution that not only adds functional brightness but that also looks beautiful. LZHome's Hexagon Garage Lights fit the bill. Regularly priced between $80 and $270, they're a more expensive choice than some others on our list, but nearly 100 users Amazon customers call them modern, cool, and extremely high quality.

Installing a new fixture isn't the only way to drastically improve the lighting in your garage. If you struggle to turn your existing lights on when you're carrying in bags of groceries, or you're worried about stubbing a toe (or worse!) when you remember to take out the trash well into the evening, consider installing a motion sensor light switch. Available in several colors, the $24 Lutron Maestro Light Switch is Amazon's best selling motion-activated wall switch. Compatible with your existing wiring, it has several timing modes that you can adjust to meet your specific needs.

Installing decorative sconce lights on either side of your garage door, or centered directly about it, is a great way to maximize outdoor lighting to improve your home's security. Beyond lighting up your driveway on those late nights when it is pitch black, bright sconces illuminate areas where burglars or nuisance animals might otherwise hide. Using smart bulbs, motion sensors, or timers with your sconces can help create the impression that your home is occupied even when you're away, which is an important part of a crime-prevention strategy.

Neon signs are just plain cool, and we think the Abooly Check Engine Light Wall Decor Sign is perfect for any car garage. Available from Amazon for $36, the USB-powered LED light is a bright and tongue-in-cheek decorative element that's ideal over a workbench or as part of a gallery wall full of vintage metal gasoline station signs. You can also find custom neon signs online in an endless array of colors, shapes, and sizes. True neon gets hot to the touch, so opt for a modern LED model that stays cooler and is more energy efficient.

Whether you've converted your garage to a bedroom or man cave, or you just want to brighten up a dark corner, don't underestimate the humble floor lamp. There are countless floor lamp styles to choose from, but thousands of Amazon customers love the $50 Wio-Mio Adjustable Gooseneck Floor Lamp that can bend to direct lighting in any direction you want. Available in black, white, bronze, and brushed nickel, it also has a remote control that allows you to quickly change the brightness and color temperature.

Recessed lighting is a great choice if you have a low garage ceiling or you're a minimalist who wants a super clean aesthetic. The look works best when you have several recessed lights in a row or grid. The number you need to install will depend on the overall size of your garage and the level of brightness wanted. Installation is the tricky part, requiring cutting holes in your garage ceiling and complex wiring. If you don't have much DIY experience, you may want to call in an electrician to help.

Fluorescent lighting is a traditional choice for larger garages because it is capable of providing a lot of consistent coverage. Fluorescent bulbs also tend to last a long time, making them more cost effective than incandescent options. If you live in a cold climate, to avoid flickering or other performance issues, pick fluorescent fixtures that have instant start capabilities along with vapor-proof construction that can withstand low temperatures and periods of higher moisture.