Garage & Shed Lighting

LED lighting is widely regarded as the most efficient lighting option for garages and sheds. LED lights use significantly less energy compared to traditional incandescent bulbs, making them a highly energy-efficient choice. 

LEDs also have a much longer lifespan, which helps reduce the need for frequent replacements. Since garages and sheds are often used for practical tasks, LED lighting is ideal because it provides bright, clear illumination that improves visibility across work areas. 

When setting up garage lighting, avoid these common mistakes: 

Insufficient lighting 

Inadequate lighting is one of the most common problems in garages. Too little light can make tasks harder and increase the risk of accidents. 

Poor lighting placement 

Placing lights incorrectly (or at the wrong angles) can cause shadows or glare, which reduces visibility—especially when working at benches or around vehicles. 

Choosing the wrong type of lighting 

While incandescent bulbs may seem cheaper upfront, they have shorter lifespans and are far less energy efficient than LED lighting. 

Incorrect colour temperature 

Different colour temperatures can impact visibility and how accurately colours appear. Choosing the wrong colour temperature can make it harder to see details or distinguish colours clearly. 

Neglecting dimming controls 

Adding dimming control allows you to adjust brightness depending on the task, time of day, or personal preference. Without dimming, the space can feel overly bright or too dim depending on what you’re doing.  

To choose the right brightness, it helps to understand lumens: 

• Lumens measure the amount of light output 
• Higher lumens = brighter light 
• Lumens are different from wattage, which measures power consumption 

As a general guideline: 

• A basic garage area usually needs at least 50 lumens per square metre 
• For practical lighting, aim for around 80–100 lumens per square foot