Garage Lighting You Can Install In An Afternoon
Dark garages kill productivity. If you’ve got outlets but no fixtures, you can still get a bright, workable space without crawling through the attic or hiring an electrician.
What you’ll get: a simple plan to mount LED shop lights, align them fast, and tidy the cords.
Pick a simple plug-in setup
Skip flush-mount wiring if you already have a ceiling outlet for the garage door opener. Plug-in LED shop lights can daisy-chain, so you cover more area with one switch and no drywall work. Leave a small gap between fixtures where you actually work; a foot is fine, two feet gives more cable routing options.
Fast, straight mounting
Mark hole spacing before you lift a light. A 47 in screw spacing was used here; measure your fixture’s brackets. A self-leveling line makes aligning screws trivial on a finished ceiling.
Tools & Materials
If your line laser mounting feels wobbly, reposition and verify the line is truly level before driving screws. Mount the first light fully, then use it as a reference for the second.
Cable management that survives overhead
Plan two segments: fixture-to-fixture and fixture-to-outlet. Adhesive cable clips are quick for mid-span support; one centered clip can keep the jumper tidy. Bundle excess length with hook-and-loop ties rather than cutting cords.
Tools & Materials
Use a cord cover near the opener to protect the run and keep it clear of moving parts. Test the adhesive first; some covers need slow, firm pressure and a clean surface to hold.
Daisy-chain reality check
Even if lights are linked, each fixture may still need its own switch toggled to turn on. Don’t assume the upstream switch controls downstream units—check how yours behave before finalizing cord paths.
Safety and placement notes
- Stay a foot off the opener rail so you’re lighting the workspace, not the door hardware.
- Pre-mark joists or backing before drilling into a finished ceiling.
- Wear eye protection when drilling overhead and keep ladders stable.
Brightening a garage doesn’t have to be a wiring project. Mount two plug-in LED shop lights, manage the cords cleanly, and you’ll have a functional workspace fast.
