Creating Garage Ambiance ; Post Your Alternative Ambient Lighting

[ElusiveKandyDC]

Sometimes, Less is More...

Sure, a wealth of lumen quantity has its place, but what about the times we have a few comrades over for after hour brewskis and want to hang in the garage? Or we're hosting a dinner party and want an even flow from the home into the garage rather than stepping into laboratory like conditions.

Or maybe one prefers a more calming, lower luminosity garage and utilizes task lights to get the job done.

I'm thinking of ways to improve my own garage ambiance and there's no better tactic for a non-creative person to get ideas better than stealing someones else's

I'd love to see your garage in its calmer, more ambient state

 

[66Caprice]

In my 2 car garage I have a total of 6 lights. I had the electrician split them up into 2 separate switches. If I only want or need MOOD lighting as you describe. I just turn on the 1 switch.

 

[jonshonda]

If you have lights that can dim, simply install a dimming switch. Or you could use phillips hue technology and turn off lights as you see fit.

 

[The Tool Tyrant]

A DISCO BALL gets the mood rolling.

 

[garage guy1of38]

My Garage in Chill Mode.

 

[StreetGLi]

My Garage in Chill Mode.

It's crazy you park your cars inside your house like that..

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[66Caprice]

It's crazy you park your cars inside your house like that..

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They like to watch the speed channel too!!

 

[LX-Markham]

Love the "track" wall art pieces.

The one by the Christmas tree looks like Cayuga?

 

[slow]

My Garage in Chill Mode.

That is an awesome setup!

 

[TylerRNEMT]

No where near as elaborate as that showroom posted above but I took a couple rows of old track lighting that my brother took down in his kitchen and put them up to aim at my pegboard/workbench area. They are switched separate form all of my LED T8s. Makes a nice “ambiance” when I want it. You can find them used or even new dirt cheap. I found brand new ones in the box still at goodwill even once for $3

-Tyler

 

[Falcon67]

My ambiance comes from car parts and bits of projects scattered everywhere.

 

[Jtrudel90]

Love the "track" wall art pieces.

The one by the Christmas tree looks like Cayuga?

Yes that’s definitely TMP

 

[Copymutt]

I have a uplight halogen w/ a dimmer, in the beer and brat area. Got it for free, works for me.

 

[NUTTSGT]

A couple strands of white Christmas lights oughta work and be cheap.

 

[Corsair4360]

Seems to me that there are two basic shop / garage types.... First are those who want a fancy place to relax, entertain and enjoy their vehicles. Second are those who use their garage / shop for all sorts of activities, like a real workshop, not a visiting place. I am in the second category, not the first.

 

[BillK]

I am in the second category, not the first.

 

[Trapps]

Seems to me that there are two basic shop / garage types.... First are those who want a fancy place to relax, entertain and enjoy their vehicles. Second are those who use their garage / shop for all sorts of activities, like a real workshop, not a visiting place. I am in the second category, not the first.

Some garages can do both with equal skill. My garage is not fancy but it is a place you can both hang out and chill or get the job done. Sometimes at the same time. There are plenty of examples here on GJ. 12 Gauge could easily host wine tasting and then tear down a 3.0L Carrera motor.

 

[barnee]

The chandelier is technically in the room next to the car portion of the garage, but still in the detached garage.

The flat panel LED's are in the car portion.

Hell of a visual shock when you go from one room to the other.

 

[machsnell]

Some garages can do both with equal skill. My garage is not fancy but it is a place you can both hang out and chill or get the job done. Sometimes at the same time. There are plenty of examples here on GJ. 12 Gauge could easily host wine tasting and then tear down a 3.0L Carrera motor.

Bingo. Some are extremes and some can be both.

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[L5wolvesf]

The ambiance in my garage is reminiscent of the early scattered projects period. I've thrown in a hint of randomness (a.k.a. disorder) to give it a worked in look. If you dim the lights (a.k.a. turn them off) you are sure to trip over a piece of . . . ambiance and you might need an ambulance with not so subtle lighting.

 

[28HopUp]

Just a pair of utility clamp lights over the bench.

 

[Bmwtie]

Dimmable Pucks up top



Or Dimmable LEDs down low



Or both



Color temps are different so I usually dont have them both on at the same time


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[Boundertom]

I have a 36', 18 bulb, LED, color changing light string mounted on the center beam of my shop. I usually have them on red, white, and blue, but many colors and modes are available. Around $80 at Sam's Club. They make plenty of light to walk around in my 36'x50' shop. The positioning works out perfect for them to be visible from outside through the high windows in my overhead doors. I just tried to take a picture of them, but it didn't turn out well. For a bit more light, I can turn on the 4' LED shop light over the workbench. Or the two gas pumps and the traffic light. My main lighting consists of 16 8' long fixtures with 4- 4' fluorescent bulbs. I have 4 switches, each controlling 4 fixtures, so I can light the area(s) I need.

 

[rnixon]

My garage , nearing completion , has 14, 6 lamp t-8 fixtures emitting 205,000 lumens, lighting 900 sq. ft. Seemed a bit harsh, as it was lit up like an operating room and if I opened the doors at night it was like a couple of UFO's were landing in the neighborhood

I'm installing a secondary lighting system that includes faux skylights and dimming Led flat panels with stain glass inserts

 

[pbon]

My 20 5200L 5000k 4’ LED wrap lights are on 4 sets of dimmers. I can dim some and turn off others to have enough lighting options for my needs.

 

[jmiller_2308]

I like the natural light coming in from high windows but when it is dark I rely on zoned lighting, under cabinet lights, soffit lighting, dimmers, decorations, well placed LED strips, and a reclaimed sodium vapor street light from the city.

The last picture is full on work mode lighting. The other pictures show different lighting scenarios. When a vehicle in on the lift and it is up in the air I really like to have just that back strip of florescent on. When I'm in the shop in the morning before sunrise I really like the warm glow of the sodium vapor. Led strips over the cabinet and under the lift are nice but a bit too white for comfort in my opinion. I need to repair the infinity mirror (again), but when working it does provide a nice warming light to that end of the bench.

 

[DarkMonohue]

Well, if I want to go into the garage, I turn the lights on. If I leave, I turn the lights off. That seems to work really well.

You mean to tell me that you actually invite people to your house, where you keep your stuff, and you take them, on purpose, to the garage, where you keep more stuff, some of which is electrified, some of which is sharp, some of which is both, and almost all of which is expensiver as hell, and you are worried about a "more even flow". Of what? What'nahell kinda' perversions are y'all gettin' up to that you can't just drink your damn beer with the lights on?

And you want your moneybag buddies to be dazzled by the soothing, lounge-like...what was it...ambiance? You want ambiance, open a damn winder. That heady cocktail of garlic stench and acetone fumes'll clear out soon enough.

Dinner party? People actually do those? Hell's bells, I thought that was just movies, where rich people had other rich people over so they could congratulate each other on being just that much... well... better than everyone else.

When you entertain, you really entertain. Hell, I'm entertained, and I ain't even there.

You rich-**** city boys sure are some kind of showy.

 

[StreetGLi]

Well, if I want to go into the garage, I turn the lights on. If I leave, I turn the lights off. That seems to work really well.

You mean to tell me that you actually invite people to your house, where you keep your stuff, and you take them, on purpose, to the garage, where you keep more stuff, some of which is electrified, some of which is sharp, some of which is both, and almost all of which is expensiver as hell, and you are worried about a "more even flow". Of what? What'nahell kinda' perversions are y'all gettin' up to that you can't just drink your damn beer with the lights on?

And you want your moneybag buddies to be dazzled by the soothing, lounge-like...what was it...ambiance? You want ambiance, open a damn winder. That heady cocktail of garlic stench and acetone fumes'll clear out soon enough.

Dinner party? People actually do those? Hell's bells, I thought that was just movies, where rich people had other rich people over so they could congratulate each other on being just that much... well... better than everyone else.

When you entertain, you really entertain. Hell, I'm entertained, and I ain't even there.

You rich-**** city boys sure are some kind of showy.

You mean to tell me you don't have dinner with your friends? That's pretty weird. Maybe if you were more pleasant you might get an invite or two.

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[DarkMonohue]

You mean to tell me you don't have dinner with your friends? That's pretty weird. Maybe if you were more pleasant you might get an invite or two.

Sometimes I have dinner, and sometimes I have friends. Sometimes I have both, but usually not at the same time; they might drink up my beer or start shaming me about the lack of ambiance.

 

[jmiller_2308]

Well, if I want to go into the garage, I turn the lights on. If I leave, I turn the lights off. That seems to work really well.

You mean to tell me that you actually invite people to your house, where you keep your stuff, and you take them, on purpose, to the garage, where you keep more stuff, some of which is electrified, some of which is sharp, some of which is both, and almost all of which is expensiver as hell, and you are worried about a "more even flow". Of what? What'nahell kinda' perversions are y'all gettin' up to that you can't just drink your damn beer with the lights on?

And you want your moneybag buddies to be dazzled by the soothing, lounge-like...what was it...ambiance? You want ambiance, open a damn winder. That heady cocktail of garlic stench and acetone fumes'll clear out soon enough.

Dinner party? People actually do those? Hell's bells, I thought that was just movies, where rich people had other rich people over so they could congratulate each other on being just that much... well... better than everyone else.

When you entertain, you really entertain. Hell, I'm entertained, and I ain't even there.

You rich-**** city boys sure are some kind of showy.

Sometimes I like to work on a project without the full intensity of all the lights on. Sometimes I'm working in an area and don't need all the lights on. Sometimes I'm sitting at the bench pondering, sketching, or working on something small and don't need full blown lighting.

And sometimes I'm taking a break from work and it is nice to have a comfortable setting to either enjoy my accomplishments or drown my sorrows.

Life is more than just work and work can also be enjoyable. Lighten up and enjoy your space.

 

[DarkMonohue]

Sometimes I like to work on a project without the full intensity of all the lights on. Sometimes I'm working in an area and don't need all the lights on. Sometimes I'm sitting at the bench pondering, sketching, or working on something small and don't need full blown lighting.

And sometimes I'm taking a break from work and it is nice to have a comfortable setting to either enjoy my accomplishments or drown my sorrows.

Life is more than just work and work can also be enjoyable. Lighten up and enjoy your space.

Fair enough.

I was absolutely giving the OP a hard time, but didn't mean for it to be taken quite as seriously as it apparently was. Maybe my humor was a little too dry this time.

 

[Toomanytools?]

Fair enough.

I was absolutely giving the OP a hard time, but didn't mean for it to be taken quite as seriously as it apparently was. Maybe my humor was a little too dry this time.

I think you and I have the same sense of humor, I laughed at your original rebuttal. Does anybody still say "brewski's" ?
I think to the OP your best best for mood lighting in a garage is a dimmer.

 

[ElusiveKandyDC]

Some garages can do both with equal skill. My garage is not fancy but it is a place you can both hang out and chill or get the job done. Sometimes at the same time. There are plenty of examples here on GJ. 12 Gauge could easily host wine tasting and then tear down a 3.0L Carrera motor.

Very well said

Well, if I want to go into the garage, I turn the lights on. If I leave, I turn the lights off. That seems to work really well.

You mean to tell me that you actually invite people to your house, where you keep your stuff, and you take them, on purpose, to the garage, where you keep more stuff, some of which is electrified, some of which is sharp, some of which is both, and almost all of which is expensiver as hell, and you are worried about a "more even flow". Of what? What'nahell kinda' perversions are y'all gettin' up to that you can't just drink your damn beer with the lights on?

And you want your moneybag buddies to be dazzled by the soothing, lounge-like...what was it...ambiance? You want ambiance, open a damn winder. That heady cocktail of garlic stench and acetone fumes'll clear out soon enough.

Dinner party? People actually do those? Hell's bells, I thought that was just movies, where rich people had other rich people over so they could congratulate each other on being just that much... well... better than everyone else.

When you entertain, you really entertain. Hell, I'm entertained, and I ain't even there.

You rich-**** city boys sure are some kind of showy.

This is too hilarious!


I knew the choice of words i.e. "ambiance" may have been misconstrued but everyone seems to get the idea.

The contributions so far have been incredible! And some even beyond the scope I'd ever imagined.

Very cool

 

[DarkMonohue]

EKDC,

I am not a lighting designer, but I do have some exposure to lighting design in my work. There are many options and many considerations. Do you feel like sharing some photos and information about the space you're working with?

 

[machsnell]

You guys should have dinner together.

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[ElusiveKandyDC]

EKDC,

I am not a lighting designer, but I do have some exposure to lighting design in my work. There are many options and many considerations. Do you feel like sharing some photos and information about the space you're working with?

No photos available at the moment but its the typical attached 2 car garage

Purchased the home almost two years ago and I finally have time to show the garage some TLC. Popped out our first child one week after receiving the keys to the home so priorities quickly change

I purchased 4 of the Costco 4' LED's when i purchased the home and it turned out to be plenty of light for my needs (Performing vehicle mods and upkeep, Auto detailing, etc). https://www.costco.com/Feit-4'-Linkable-LED-Shop-Light-2-pack.product.100462723.html

My wife and I enjoy hosting parties with fam/friends and coming from a large family of gear heads, the garage tends to become a magnet. Its also where the kegerator lives total coincidence

As I'm organizing and adding shelves around the garage, I'm also planning where I'll need electrical outlets so the plan is to get that done soon. Figured I should also plan alternate lighting before I get the electrical guru out here as well.

So far, the focused light of track lighting looks to be the ticket.

I do love viewing members garages of this board though. Epic garages!

 

[Stuart in MN]

Maybe my humor was a little too dry this time.

Way too dry. Put in a smiley face or something next time.

 

[DarkMonohue]

I have the same or similar fixtures in my garage. With a color temperature of 4000K, they're very effective at providing a bright daylight look and feel, fine for a typical workspace, but not at all inviting as a space to relax in later in the day. You'll probably want to find a fixture with a CCT down around 3000 or 2700K. Just keep in mind that having two different colors going at the same time can create a pretty unpleasant effect, so you may not want to have the warm and cool lights burning simultaneously.

If you have cabinets over a workbench, some undercabinet LED strips might work pretty well. Undercabinet lighting is nice because you see the light but not the fixture, creating a nice localized glowing effect.

 

[pbon]

With dimmers 5000k softens up a lot. But if you really want yellow, then you want closer to 2700k. There are new color changing LED that will give you 2700/4100/5000k all in one light. I considered flat panel versions, but decided I really did not need them. The multiple dimmers do what I need.

 

[yeldogt]

I prefer general lighting and task lighting -- I have a mix. IMO -- it can be too bright.