a NEW lighting question!

[norrie]

I actually thought to do a search before I asked a question! This is a personal victory for me as it is not in my nature to find the information myself if I think I could just ask someone. New Years resolution #1!
Only problem... I didn't quite find what I was looking for.
I am wondering about some of the Garages I have seen on here with darker finishes on the walls and flush mounted lighting. I think this looks beautiful and I'm thinking of doing a similar treament to my own but I wonder if the owners are happy with the lighting conditions when it's done. My garage isn't just my work-space and I'm not sure I want it lit-up like a hospital. This is certainly nice to work in, but not so nice to hang out in. However, if the darker walls make it inconvenient to work in it is more important to me that it works than it just looks good.
My space is 23' by 23' and the lower level has 9' celings. There is an upstairs so I'm not concerned with insulation issues with flush mounted lights.
Any input would be appreciated.

 

[z28toz06]

You could always put in a few lights for mode or ambience lighting if you wanted to. Put a few recessed cans with a dimmer on them if you are looking to bring down the lighting. Alternately you could put every other light fixture on a separate switch so only half of them are on if that's what you wanted.

Darker walls are going to absorb more light. depending on whether you had a lift you could do a half wall paint scheme where it's light on the bottom and the top half a darker color, separating them with some chair rail or checkerboard type wall paper.

 

[norrie]

I like the seperator idea. I hadn't really thought about that, but I suppose it would keep the walls from being stark white without absorbing too much light.

 

[Vincent Vega]

I have some rope lighting around the perimeter up at the ceiling. It's very nice for when I just want to hang out after turning wrenches or detailing.

 

[Kent in KC]

But... but... what kind of wine would you serve with that ambient lighting? What music? And, oh dear, the napkins for the crepes would have to match wouldn't they (or maybe the color should play off the oil stain on the floor?)!

Gimme a beer and a bucket to sit on!! Damn boys, its a garage (or as Elton John might say, a GAIRugh).

; ^ )

 

[hitek]

But... but... what kind of wine would you serve with that ambient lighting? What music? And, oh dear, the napkins for the crepes would have to match wouldn't they (or maybe the color should play off the oil stain on the floor?)!

Gimme a beer and a bucket to sit on!! Damn boys, its a garage (or as Elton John might say, a GAIRugh).

; ^ )

 

[8Ball]

But... but... what kind of wine would you serve with that ambient lighting? What music? And, oh dear, the napkins for the crepes would have to match wouldn't they (or maybe the color should play off the oil stain on the floor?)!

Gimme a beer and a bucket to sit on!! Damn boys, its a garage (or as Elton John might say, a GAIRugh).

; ^ )

Funny...I was thinking the same thing.

PS - make sure the chair rail does not interfere with the window treatments!

 

[Kevin54]

Damn boys, its a garage

I have my lights on dimmers and seperate switches. Nothing better than to turn down the lights and crack open a cold one and watch the tube for awhile. More relaxing than just shutting the garage down and hitting the house to watch the tube. It's not just a garage It's what we all worked for