Color temperature helps define the color tone of different lights. In general, there’s cool lighting and warm lighting. Knowing about both will help you pick the right kinds of lights to install in a specific room.
In lighting a space, your choice of color temperature will help the occupants in the room see things more clearly. Plus, it also has psychological effects. For instance, cooler light temperatures in the living room can help you feel and stay more alert and awake.
In that case, what is the best color temperature to use in a garage? Once you’ve figured that out, you can go ahead and look at the top picks for the best garage ceiling lights.
Identifying the Best Color Temperature for a Garage
With enough knowledge about color temperature, you’d be able to know which parts of your home should give off warm light similar to sunrise and sunset. You’d also know if another room needs a cooler temperature, one that resembles natural sunlight.
When it comes to the best color temperature for garage lighting, the short answer is anything between 4,000 and 5,000 Kelvin. Why, you ask? Here are the reasons:
1. It is ideal for DIY projects.
The garage is slowly becoming an area not just for parking your car but also for DIY and passion projects. Having cooler light temperatures is, therefore, ideal so that the light is not too harsh on the eyes.
The 4,000 to 5,000 Kelvin range will help you see things clearly. Also, given that garages usually come in utilitarian colors like white and gray, getting cooler lighting will complement your interiors.
2. It is ideal both for workout and workshop spaces.
You will need this range for a garage that’s converted as workout and workshop spaces. Still within the given range, a cooler light temperature for garages of this nature will help you be more active. Plus, “dark” gyms are almost an impossibility; it is hard to work out without any light at all.
For garage gyms, it would be best to avoid blue and yellow lighting because they are known to affect workout performance.
3. It is ideal for driving out unwanted critters.
Those who mainly use their garage as storage would think that any color temperature will do, but there is actually an advantage to knowing the proper range. For example, the 4,000 to 5,000 Kelvin color temperature range helps drive out unwanted bugs in your garage.
Choosing Garage Lights: Additional Tips
Now that the optimal range has been discussed, there are a few more things to consider to guarantee the best garage lighting.
1. Price is not everything.
Expensive garage lighting does not necessarily mean that they are of high quality. You can still go for affordable ones as long as they are in the right color temperature spectrum. Fortunately, a lot of stores carry a wide variety of choices. If you don’t find the one you want from your nearest shop, you can always go and order one online.
2. Your garage size matters.
Obviously, more light is needed to illuminate larger spaces. A single overhead light will not make the cut for your garage. Figuring out the right number of lighting fixtures depending on the size of your garage space will help you maximize the benefits of your chosen color temperature.
3. When you can, consider energy-saving lights.
Given the color temperature range, you’d want to find ways to save yourself from shocking electric bills. In that case, getting energy-saving lights is good for the environment and a way to reduce your carbon footprint.
4. Functionality is key.
There are numerous options available in the market that allow you to change the color temperature as needed. For instance, you can link a smart light to a mobile app to access its features. With one, you can adjust its temperature and the actual color of your light. Others even have automatic timers.
The Bottom Line
The optimal color temperature range for the best garage lighting works in many ways. For example, a stormy afternoon will require a warmer 3,000 Kelvin light to complement the gloomy weather outside. Working out in the morning is best complemented with a cooler ambiance. It is clear that this range brings out the balanced nature needed by any garage.
Another way to go about your final decision is by looking at these factors: furnishing, climate, lighting levels, and the nature of your garage activities. These factors will hopefully guide you not just in lighting your garage but also other rooms in your home.
In the end, the important thing is for your lighting not to hurt your eyes and for you to be able to do what you want in the comforts of your own garage space. As long as your budget can take it, go for it! You and your garage will benefit greatly from good choices. Good luck!
