Best Lighting for Low Ceiling Garages in 2024

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What are your options for the best lighting for low ceiling garages? Believe it or not, sometimes, factors beyond your control do result in a garage with a lower than standard height.

In this concise guide, I share with you important information and my top tips for best lighting for low ceiling garages. 

The tips cover topics such as selecting the best fixtures, ensuring just the right amount of brightness, the role of color temperature, and a lot more!

Selecting Suitable Lighting Fixtures

When it comes to lighting up your low-ceiling garage, low-profile fixtures are the way to go. These fixtures sit close to the ceiling, saving space and preventing any head bumps. Ideal for compact spaces, they provide ample illumination without being intrusive.

Low-Profile Fixtures Defined

Low-profile fixtures are lighting options that stay close to the ceiling, perfect for low-clearance areas like your garage. They are sleek, practical, and won’t interfere with your workspace or storage solutions.

Recessed Lights

Simply put, recessed lighting is when the light source is above the ceiling level and not below it. 

Installing Recessed Lights in Garage can make your garage look classy & give you more headspace. They make the garage livable and seem like an extension of your home.

Installing garage can lights, which is the same as recessed lights in garage ceiling, gives you a more headspace and a clean look as there is nothing hanging or protruding below the garage ceiling.

Sunco Retrofit LED Recessed Lighting 6 Inch, Dimmable Can Lights

The Advantages of LED Lighting

LED lights are your go-to choice for lighting up low-ceiling garages, and here’s why. First off, they’re champions of energy efficiency, saving you bucks on the electricity bill. No need to worry about your garage turning into a sauna – LEDs emit less heat, keeping things cool and safe.

Energy Efficiency Unleashed

LED lights stand out for their energy efficiency, offering substantial savings on your electricity bill. Additionally, their minimal heat emission ensures a comfortable and safe environment.

Style Options Galore

Beyond energy efficiency, LEDs come in various styles, allowing you to match the lighting to your garage’s aesthetic, whether modern or cozy.

Determining the Right Brightness

Calculating the right brightness for your garage is like finding the perfect balance. Measure your garage’s square footage – for every square foot, aim for about 20 lumens.

Lumens per Square Foot

For a residential garage, a brightness level of 20 lumens per square foot is more than adequate for areas designated for car parking or storage.

For more details, please check out my earlier article, Lumens for Garage (Per Square Foot) Calculator + 8 Superb Tips

Lighting for Every Task

Recognizing your garage as a multitasking space, task lighting brightens specific areas, ensuring optimal illumination for various activities. It is not at all necessary that every square foot of your garage must have the same level of brightness.

For most garage workshops, for example, 50 lumens per square foot should be reasonably bright. If you like you could even bump it up to a required brightness level of 70 lumens per square foot for a garage workshop.

Illuminate Your Workspace

So the secret of best lighting for low ceiling garages is to supplement general lighting with task lighting to brighten specific zones, turning dim corners into well-lit and functional spaces. This targeted approach enhances visibility for various tasks.

Adjustable Lighting

The other trick up your sleeve, when it comes to best lighting for low ceiling garages is adjustable light fixtures.

Adjustable lighting provides a customized solution, allowing you to direct light where needed. Movable heads and dimmable fixtures offer endless possibilities, ensuring the right amount of illumination for every task.

Go for the Optimal Color Temperature

It is easy to get confused and believe that a higher color temperature light is also brighter light. However, lumens and color temperature of light is not directly related. In fact there is no calculator which will convert lumens (brightness) to Kelvin (warmth or coolness) of the light source.

If you compare two light bulbs with the same lumens but different kelvins, the one with higher kelvins may appear brighter because it has a cooler color that mimics natural sunlight.

KOSOOM

Aim for a color temperature between 4000K to 5000K to create a well-lit and inviting workspace. This range balances brightness and clarity, transforming your garage into a functional and welcoming environment.

Get your bearings right when it comes to picking the best lighting for low ceiling garages by reading my earlier article What Color Temperature Light Is Best for Your Garage? (Know The Truth!)

Energy Efficiency & Safety

Motion Sensor Lights for Energy Efficiency

The easiest way to waste energy is to have the lights on when they are not even required. Ever thought about having lights that turn on when you need them?

That’s where motion sensor lights come in handy for your low-ceiling garage. These smart lights detect movement, so you don’t have to fumble for switches in the dark.

Strategic Placement and Savings

Motion sensor lights enhance energy efficiency by activating only when needed. Strategically placing these lights in key areas not only ensures safety but also contributes to significant energy savings.

Ensuring Safety in Garage Lighting

Prioritize safety by choosing fixtures that comply with safety standards. Look for certifications to guarantee fixtures won’t pose hazards, ensuring a worry-free, well-lit space.

Both the 2023 National Electric Code (NEC) and the 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) require that all receptacles in a garage must be GFCI. The code has been put in place to keep personnel safe from the risk of electrical shock.

Make sure to check out my earlier article, Do Garage Lights Need to Be GFCI Protected? (Enlightening Facts!)

Best Lighting for Low Ceiling Garages – Expert Tips!

Integrating Smart Lighting Systems

Smart lighting systems allow you to control your garage lights with ease. Choose options compatible with popular platforms, providing convenience and seamlessly integrating your garage into your smart home ecosystem.

Switch to LEDs

LED fixtures, with a lifespan ranging from 25,000 to 50,000 hours, outlast traditional bulbs. To extend their longevity, keep fixtures dust-free and conduct routine checks for loose connections.

Incorporating these lighting tips will transform your low-ceiling garage into a well-lit and functional haven.

Thank you very much for reading the post. I do hope you found it informative and useful.