19
Hours left for
Next Day Shipping
$99
Dollars To Get
Free Shipping
19
Hours left for
Next Day Shipping
$99
Dollars To Get
Free Shipping
Loading...
Outdoor Garage Lights: Quick Guide | Lighting Warehouse

Outdoor Garage Lights for Any Space and Scenario

November 11, 2024

Table of Contents: Exterior Garage Lighting

Outdoor garage lights are often overlooked, even though they’re one of the most important places in your home to illuminate. After all, exterior garage lights do more than help you find your way in the dark; they add style to your property, give your home a boost in curb appeal, and strengthen your home security setup. 

Whether your garage doubles as a workshop for DIY projects, a space for jamming out with your band, or even a makeshift home gym, having the right outdoor garage lights ensures it’s always ready for whatever you’ve got planned.

In this blog, we’ll break down the essentials of exterior garage lights, explore the best outdoor garage lights, discover why they’re so valuable, and consider top garage lighting ideas to get the most out of your outdoor lights.

Why Exterior Garage Lights are a Must-Have

Exterior garage lighting goes beyond fashionable aesthetics—it’s a vital upgrade for your home in terms of security, safety, and overall functionality. 

Here’s why outside garage lights should be on every homeowner’s list:

  • Enhanced Security: A well-lit garage with landscape and security lighting deters potential intruders deters potential intruders. By illuminating key areas, you reduce shadowy spots around your garage, minimizing hiding places and making it more difficult for trespassers to go unnoticed.
  • Improved Safety: Navigating your driveway or garage area at night can be risky without adequate lighting. Installing lights around the garage prevents trips, falls, and minor accidents, especially in areas prone to weather challenges such as rain or snow.
  • Curb Appeal: Well-designed garage lighting The right landscape lighting design creates a balanced and inviting look, enhancing your home’s curb appeal. The right exterior garage lights give your garage character, complementing your exterior design and architecture for a seamless appearance.
  • Functionality: Many homeowners use their garages as a workspace or storage area. Having proper lighting outside your garage can improve visibility for projects and ensure easier access to items stored in your garage, even at night.

Top Lighting Ideas for Your Garage’s Exterior

From traditional wall sconces to modern string lights, there are countless ways to illuminate your garage and enhance its practicality and style. 

Here are some standout exterior garage lighting ideas to consider:

  • Balanced Curb Appeal with Wall Sconces: Specialty lights like wall sconces on either side of the garage door create a balanced and classic curb appeal. And since these lights come in various styles—from rustic and vintage to sleek and modern outdoor lighting —it’s easy to match them to your home’s aesthetic. They’re best paired with soft, warm bulbs to give your garage a welcoming glow.
Modern two-story house exterior with dark siding and two white garage doors illuminated by warm outdoor lighting, set against a background of leafless trees.
  • Dramatic Accents with Uplights and Downlights: Uplights Outdoor up lighting fixtures and downlights are perfect for adding architectural interest and dramatic lighting around your garage. These lights highlight architectural features by directing light both upward and downward, emphasizing the height or width of the garage for a stylish appearance. LED lights are ideal here, offering energy efficiency and long-lasting illumination.
  • High Visibility with Flood Lights: Floodlight lights are designed for high visibility and large areas around your garage. Their broad, powerful beams can cover wide open spaces, making it easy to see your surroundings at night. Choose LED floodlights for enhanced energy savings and durability.
  • Relaxed Vibes with String Lights: Professional-grade string lights Professional-grade string lights from Prime Patio offer a relaxed, inviting vibe for homeowners who want a more casual or festive feel around the garage. Coachella who? Hanging lights along the garage’s exterior or across nearby trees and posts adds warmth and charm. This lighting works especially well for homes with outdoor patio lights outdoor patios or seating areas near the garage.
  • Streamlined Look with Recessed Lighting: Recessed lights above the garage door provide a clean, minimalist look while delivering excellent visibility. Subtle but effective, recessed lighting offers bright light without drawing attention to the fixture itself. This type of lighting is ideal for modern or minimalist homes.
  • Safety and Style with Pathway Lighting: Pathway Walkway lights leading up to the garage door can safely guide your guests and family members to the entrance. Pathways lights create a warm, welcoming ambiance while enhancing safety by marking the path and helping prevent accidents in the dark.

Finding the right outdoor garage lights can make all the difference in how your exterior garage lighting looks and performs. 

Take a look at some of the most popular exterior garage lights options for your garage exterior:

  • LED Lights: Known for their long lifespan and energy efficiency, LED lights from brands like Brilliance LED are available in various formats (such as flood lights, sconces, and string lights) and can be chosen based on brightness and color temperature.
  • Smart Lights: Many homeowners are opting for smart garage lights, which allow remote control through smartphone apps. This setup enables you to adjust brightness, schedule on/off times, and even sync lights with sunrise and sunset.

Tips for Choosing the Right Outdoor Garage Lights

Choosing the best exterior garage lights involves a balance of style, placement, and function to meet your unique needs. 

Keep these essential tips in mind to ensure your garage lighting ideas are a success:

  • Match the Style: Select fixtures that complement your home’s style. Traditional homes may look best with lantern-style lights, while modern homes can benefit from sleek, minimalist fixtures.
  • Consider Placement: Proper placement and spacing of path lights is essential. For balanced lighting, mount your wall lights at an average height of 66 to 72 inches from the ground. Avoid placing lights too high, as they can cause glare and reduce visibility.
  • Go with Solar-Powered Lights: Solar lights are perfect for eco-conscious homeowners. They rely on sunlight to recharge, making them an affordable and environmentally friendly option. Solar-powered pathway lights are easy to install since they don’t require wiring.
  • Choose LED Bulbs: LEDs are the go-to for outdoor lighting because they’re energy-efficient, long-lasting, and available in different color changing outdoor lights. For warmer, softer lighting, choose bulbs around 2700K to 3000K. For brighter, cooler lighting, look for 4000K or above.
  • Use Dimmers and Controls: Adding dimmers or smart controls can enhance your lighting setup’s flexibility and energy efficiency. You can adjust brightness levels for different times of day and conserve energy by only lighting the area when needed.
  • Check for Weather Resistance: Ensure that your fixtures are rated for outdoor use. Look for lights labeled as “wet-rated” or “weather-resistant” to withstand rain, snow, and other outdoor conditions.

Exterior Garage Lights, Done Right

Exterior garage lights are one of the most practical and transformative upgrades you can make to your home’s exterior. Whether you go with classic wall sconces, energy-efficient LEDs, or sophisticated uplighting or downlighting, each choice contributes to a safer, more inviting, and stylish home.

Don’t hesitate to mix and match fixtures and styles to find what works best for your garage. With so many lighting options available, it’s easier than ever to create a garage exterior that truly stands out!

Outdoor Garage Lights FAQs

How do I choose exterior garage lights?

There isn’t a definitive choice of exterior garage lights because your lighting needs are based on multiple factors, such as pathway size, distance to the main house, the surrounding environment, and even the size of the garage. However, function and style don’t have to clash when choosing the right lighting. You can still find the right fixtures that provide illumination and still match the overall aesthetic. For additional efficiency, you can opt for LED bulbs or solar-powered fixtures. For durability against the elements, it’s best to find outdoor garage lights that are weather-resistant so that they can still light pathways in sunshine, rain, sleet, or snow.

What is the ideal brightness for outdoor garage lights?

Exterior garage lights should have a brightness level between 700 – 1,500 lumens, but your mileage may vary depending on your garage lighting ideas. You can choose to install multiple lights at a lower lumen level, utilize a larger fixture that has a higher brightness output, or a combination of both types of outdoor garage lights. Remember, the goal with exterior garage lights is to find a balance between adequate lighting in high-traffic areas and aesthetic lighting that highlights certain features of your outdoor space.

Should I use LED outdoor garage lights?

We recommend LED exterior garage lights due to their energy efficiency and long lifespan, which reduces overall maintenance for these fixtures. For those with garage lighting ideas that incorporate a warm tone, use LED lights between 2,700K 0 3,000K. If you want cooler outdoor garage lights, find bulbs at 4,000K or above.

How many outdoor garage lights do I need?

Your outdoor garage light needs will depend on factors like overall brightness, the size of the garage exterior, and any other nearby elements that you wish to illuminate. You can opt for a series of wall sconces for a softer glow or go for a single flood light to illuminate the garage exterior easily. When it comes to outdoor garage light options, there isn’t a wrong choice; choose just one that meets the criteria of your garage lighting ideas.

For more on landscape lighting and to see our growing lineup of exterior garage lights, join our Insider list and check out the different lighting options that we have to offer.

FEATURED BLOG POSTS

How to Change a PAR 36 Bulb
The Best Entryway Light Fixtures & Ideas
How to Install Electrical Sockets Outdoors in 10 Steps
The Ultimate Guide to Outdoor LED Bulbs
How to Replace In-ground Pool Lights without Draining the Water 

Pro-Quality Lighting at a Value That Can’t be Beat

Start Building Your Landscape Lighting System Today at Lighting Warehouse!

f8c42d11895c887a8dac0982f5d51af87a7a6b0681a5f598a97a0614f35159a8 18.188.116.205