Good garage door lighting placement improves safety, curb appeal, and security — but the wrong positions leave dark spots exactly where you need light most. This guide covers the best positions for wall-mounted, ceiling, and motion sensor lights around any garage door setup.
Garage door lights ensure safe reach to your front door if the perfect placement is done. Proper placement of the garage door lighting guarantees convenience in and out of your vehicle in the garage and gives cars parked inside an attractive look. For this reason, it is crucial to know precise garage door lighting placement. For power source questions, see whether your setup needs a dedicated circuit.
Place the garage door light depending on the garage and your usability. Install light above the garage door and in the walkways; working areas are the best place to install the light.
This is an in-depth discussion on garage door lighting Placement.
Garage Door Lighting Placement: Best Positions for Safety
Don’t get dazzled after turning the garage door lights at night by installing them in the wrong position. Here are the best places for garage door lighting.
Above the Garage Door
This recommendation is simple. Sadly, many homeowners don’t consider it. As a result, they install the light in the wrong place.
For this reason, install the garage lights above the door. Also, buy one that functions with the garage door up and down.
If the garage light doesn’t illuminate when the door opens, investing in such a light will be a waste of valuable money, time and effort. Moreover, you will face difficulty while exiting a car.
Furthermore, if the garage is used for workspace or mostly storage, proper light is necessary everywhere.
So, there should be some garage lights that are unblocked. This way, you can use the garage regardless of the opened or closed door.
Walkways
While using your garage, you will have to move from one place to another. So, design your garage door lights placement, keeping this point in mind.
It is vital to ensure that every place is well-lit so you can go to those places without a problem.
The places can be the walkways from vehicles to door, work areas to vehicles and accessed storage areas.
This garage door lighting recommendation is crucial as it can raise safety concerns. A poorly lit walkway can trip hazards. It would always be best to place a light in all walkways to ensure safety and protection.
Working Areas
Many garages are used for versatile works. Some use it as a shop, while others prefer it as an area for arts and crafts. Keep this point in mind while designing the layout of your garage door lighting placement.
In this case, learn for what purpose you will use the garage. Installing task lighting in the working areas will be a good choice for making art or using power tools.
This will ensure safe working conditions. At the same time, you will have less strain on the eyes when working for long hours. Also, you will be able to make better-finished products.
So, install lights in the post-production areas and under cabinets. Don’t hesitate to install the required number of lights in every area. As you can unscrew bulbs if you don’t need them.
It is always better to keep the garage door over-lit instead of under-lit.
How to Determine Lighting Size to Garage Door Size?
Determining the lighting size depends on the size of your garage. Small lights will get lost in the garage walls.
Single Car Garage
One light is enough in the garage of a single car. Make sure to install the light closest to the pathway. Place the light in the middle of the garage door. This way, the outside will be illuminated evenly.
Larger or 2 Cars Garage
Garages that can accumulate more than one car should be lightened with several lights. Install lights at the right, left, and center sides to get even illumination.
If you need to place more than 2 lights, try keeping even space between the lights. Thus, the garage door area will be open with only a few lights.
Should I Use Motion Sensor Light for My Garage Door Lighting?
Motion sensor lights absorb heat waves from a passing object and turn on automatically. Automated activation offers 2 benefits,
- Savings
- Security
These lights turn on when you get home and remain turned off all the time. So, they help you save valuable money.
Moreover, if an intruder tries to enter your home, these lights will startle the outsider by turning it on electronically.
FAQ
How High Should Garage Door Lights Be?
The height of garage door lights should be above eye level, more specifically between 66” – 72”. The light can get drowned if you install it anywhere above 72”.
How many lights are ideal for garage door lighting?
The number of lights used in the garage door relies on the size of the garage. For a larger garage, 2 lights or more are good enough to illuminate the surroundings. On the other hand, for a small garage, 1 light can enlighten the garage door at night.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eHowever, check the garage door after installing the lights. If you think the garage door is under-lit, install more lights.
Where should garage door lights be placed?
Garage door lights need to be placed strategically and as per your requirement.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eFor one car garage,u003cbru003e* Place the light in the center of the garage door. Also, you can choose an area closest to the front walkway.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eFor 2 or more cars garage,u003cbru003e* Install the lights on the right, left, and center sides. This will ensure proper illumination at night.
Should I leave garage lights on all night?
If you leave garage lights on all night, the intruders will assume you are absent from the home. In this case, placing a motion sensor light on the garage door will be a good idea. This way, the light will turn on only when it senses the movement of an object.
What is the recommended lumen for garage door lighting?
According to professional organizations, u003cstrongu003egarage door lights lumen recommendationu003c/strongu003e varies based on the tasks. The visible light is measured with the lumen unit.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eFor lighting the walkways and the whole garage,u003cbru003e* 50 lumens/sq. ft. is the best choiceu003cbru003eu003cbru003eFor task lighting,u003cbru003e* More than 300 lumens/sq. ft. is an ideal lighting option
Best Garage Door Lighting Products
These are the best-performing lights for each position around the garage door:
- LEONLITE Motion Sensor Outdoor Wall Light — best for flanking the garage door on each side. 2400 lumens, adjustable motion zone, 5000K daylight. View on Amazon
- RAB Lighting WPLED26 Garage Flood Light — commercial-grade LED flood for above the door. Extremely durable, 3500 lumens, dusk-to-dawn photocell. View on Amazon
- Hyperikon LED Garage Ceiling Light — best for interior ceiling lighting near the door. Easy installation, 5000K bright white, no flicker. View on Amazon
- Mr. Beams MB360 Battery Motion Sensor Light — wireless, no wiring needed. Perfect for adding extra light beside the door without electrical work. View on Amazon
Last Notes
As you already understand, there is no short-cut garage door lighting placement rule. While installing them in the garage door, consider your requirements. Also, the lights need to be placed smartly for perfect illumination.
If you place them wrongly, your valuable time, money, and effort will go in vain. So, keep the factors mentioned earlier in mind and get a well-lit garage door to ensure safety from intruders and potential hazards.
Video Guide
