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Home Garage Lighting Ideas: From Fixtures to Space Design

Home Garage Lighting Ideas: From Fixtures to Space Design

Lighting up The Garage

The number one tip when it comes to lighting up your garage is to not just use one ceiling light. A garage is a large space, and will feel dark and dull if it is under lit. Aim to light up the whole space, even if you don’t use it that much. A well-lit garage will add value to your home, add to the safety of the space, and with proper lighting you can create a multifunctional room. Look to create a lighting layout that spreads and lights up the whole space – I’ll show you how with the garage lighting ideas below.

Types of Lights

The go to choice when it comes to garage lighting are florescent lights just like in picture (1). Here’s why:

  • They easily light up large spaces
  • They are energy efficient
  • With the right ballast they will work in cold climates
  • Florescent lights show the true colors of things (paints, wood stains, etc.) which is ideal if you use your garage as a workspace

When it comes to florescent light strips you’ll have the choice of the T4, T5, T8, and T12 fixtures. The numbers represent the diameter and amount of light the strips produce. The one to go for will depend on the size of your garage and the type of ballast/socket you have. If you live in cold climates you will want to go with the T8s using an electronic ballast, not an electromagnetic one.

If you want an easy to customize garage lighting design system, then check out LumaLinks. You can easily expand your lighting layout by linking up additional lights, without the need of extra wiring.

Or check out Lithonia Lighting’s fixtures below, available on Amazon here:

Garage Light Fixtures

White florescent lights can make the space feel a bit sterile, but there are a few ways to solve this which I’ll go over below.

Natural Home Garage Lighting

A garage is usually closed off. This means in the daytime, the space can be a dark place. Your options are to turn on the lights, open the garage door, or the best way to light the garage during the day is to have windows fitted to let in natural lighting. Some ideas of using windows include fitting them into the walls (5), using a garage door that has windows fitted along the top (for privacy), or have a skylight installed.

Why Not To Use Windows:

If you live somewhere that gets really cold or really hot, take note that windows have poor insulation. Also, you have to be careful of direct sunlight if you store any special paint, chemicals or cleaners in your garage.

A Workspace Garage

If you plan on using your garage as a workspace or workshop, you’ll want to add in some task lighting. Ceiling lights do well filling up the garage with ambient light, but they usually wont reach work counters/desks, or there will be shadows in the way.

Have some lights that are focused onto counters, tables, and tooling areas. One way of doing this is to have florescent ceiling lights that hang down like these (available here):

Hanging Garage Lights

Pendant and down lights will also work just like in pictures (2) and (3). Another idea is to fit under cabinet lighting that shines down onto work counters (4). Adjustable wall lights and magnifying lamps are another way to go (like the one below – available here).

Workspace Garage

An Inviting Garage

If you want to create a more relaxing, leisurely garage then you’ll want to soften the decor. Florescent lights and bare walls will make the space feel dull and sterile. Some ideas and solutions on how to combat this include:

Paint: White walls will make the space feel brighter and more spacious. While a warm color like cream or off white will create a more inviting space.

Decorative Lighting:  Avoid just using the ceiling lights. Instead layer the lighting by using a mix of different lights: like ceiling lights along with floor and table lamps. Or hang up some string lights if you want to create a more whimsical feel.

Fabric: Adding some fabric into the decor of the garage will also soften up the space. Drapes can be used as dividers, to break up the garage into different sections. Fabric can be used to close off shelves or how about adding an area rug? 1/2/3/4/5/6

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June 7, 2013 in Lighting, Outdoors

Vintage Outdoor Lighting Ideas Mood Board

Vintage Outdoor Lighting Ideas

The best place to find hard wired, vintage styled, outdoor lighting is in the barn lighting section. With their flat pancake (shallow bowl) designs, gooseneck lamps, and muted pastel or rustic colors they are the perfect light fixtures – just like the one in picture (1). Barn Light Electric is a great place for these types of lights. Another style of light fixtures to look into is nautical (2) and wrought iron.

For simpler lighting ideas let’s look at lanterns. Mason jars or any vintage style bottles and jars can be turned into candle lanterns (3) (4), and they can even be turned into solar powered light fixtures. These vintage style lanterns can be hung up (5) or they can be used as table lighting. Using vintage or shabby chic style candle holders is another idea for table lighting along with vintage oil lamps (6). Moroccan lanterns are quite decorative pieces. To turn these into a more vintage style lantern spray paint them white – like the lanterns in picture (7).

For more decorative vintage outdoor lighting ideas have a look at the string lights with the Edison light bulbs from Restoration Hardware (8). Pastel colored paper lanterns will also work as vintage styled lighting (9) – just fit some normal string lights in them to light them up. Metallic tiki torches with the brass/copper tops look great too. And for the icing, an elegant outdoor chandelier will be a great focal piece (10).

One thing to remember when it comes to lighting is to layer different light fixtures. What this means is that you want to avoid using just one type of light fixture – say wall light. You want to mix things up: use a ceiling light, along with a table lantern, wall light, etc. to create different lighting effects. This creates a cozier and well lit space. 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10

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May 14, 2013 in Lighting, Outdoors

Ideas for Vintage Garden Decor and Outdoor Accessories

Vintage Garden Decor

Vintage style buckets and crates as seen in pictures (1) and (2) make for great outdoor decor pieces. They can be used as planters or for storing vintage garden tools (3). Along with tools, a vintage metal watering can is another great decor piece to have (4) and display.

Vintage bottles also make for great planters. Wrap them in thread/rope/wire and hang them up (5) or group the bottles together in a crate (6). A weathered wooden step ladder makes for great shelving for flower pots (7).

Though not really a decor piece, vintage cloth hangers are a nice decorative touch for hanging up laundry (8). Another functional item that can also act as a decoration piece for an outdoor space is an antique measuring device. You have wall thermometers, hygrometers (measures humidity), a clock even, or a barometer which measures air pressure as seen in picture (9).

A Vintage Home

When it comes to lighting, some ideas include pastel colored paper lanterns (10) or even an outdoor chandelier. Have a look at our post here for more outdoor vintage lighting ideas. How about taking a normal lantern, spray painting it white and using it to house plants as seen in picture (11)

Hanging up drapery from the walls or from a pergola will create an enchanting setting just like in picture (12).

Some other vintage garden decor accessories that are not included in the pictures: a bird feeder or bath, fountain, a weather vane, and vintage styled welcome signs and house numbers. 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12

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May 13, 2013 in Outdoors

Modern Pergola Designs Gallery and Notes

Modern Pergola Designs

Here are some design notes when it comes to modern pergola designs. The most common pergola design is to have decorative and somewhat rounded ends on the beam. The easiest way of creating a more modern pergola is to do away with the decorative ends. In picture (1) the beams still hang over the frame of the pergola but the decorative shape is gone. In pictures (2) (3) and (4) the beams are built within the frame so there are no overhanging parts – creating a sleeker look.

Going Dark: Using darker wood (almost black) creates a more modern look (5) (6), compared to the natural brown tones common with traditional pergolas.

Alternative Materials: Mixing a steel or wrought iron frame with wooden slats creates an ultra contemporary pergola design (7) (8).

Pergolas

Different Styles: The pergola in picture (9) is more of an awning style – there are beams only on the left side while the right side is completely open.

Luxury Touches: Some premium design add-ons include: adding lights (Simple Outdoor Pergola Lighting Ideas), a fan, and having a retractable canopy or motorized slats (Pergola Roofing Design Ideas: From the Natural to the Motorized). 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9

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March 26, 2013 in Outdoors