If your garage still relies on a single globe or a couple of old tubes, you’re not alone. Across Australia, garages are used as car parks, workshops, home gyms, and storage rooms – but the lighting is often an afterthought. In this guide, we’ll walk through the best types of garage lighting in Australia, how to choose brightness and colour temperature, and why hexagon light systems are becoming the go-to solution for modern garages.
This article is written from an Australian context, with a focus on safe, practical setups and real-world applications.
Common Garage Lighting Problems in Australian Homes
Before choosing new lights, it helps to understand why most garages feel dark or uncomfortable to work in:
- Single light point in the centre: one globe or batten creates harsh shadows around cars, walls, and storage shelves.
- Outdated fluorescent tubes: slow to start, buzzing, and colour that makes everything look dull and yellowish.
- Uneven coverage: bright under the light, dark in corners – not ideal for DIY projects, detailing, or tools.
- Poor colour rendering: low CRI lighting makes it harder to see fine details, paint defects, or tool markings clearly.
- Low ceiling height: many Australian garages have relatively low ceilings, so bulky fittings can feel intrusive or cause glare.
The good news: modern LED and hexagon lighting systems solve most of these issues at once – brighter, more efficient, and designed for bigger, more even coverage.
Types of Garage Lighting in Australia
There’s no single “best” option for everyone, but understanding the main types of garage lighting will help you choose the right setup for your space.
Fluorescent Tubes and Basic Battens
Traditional fluorescent tubes and basic LED battens are still common in older garages. They’re inexpensive and better than a single bulb, but they often:
- Provide linear light with noticeable shadows around vehicles and workbenches.
- Offer limited control over layout – you’re usually stuck with one or two fixtures.
- Have lower colour rendering, which isn’t ideal for detailing or fine DIY work.
Standard LED Ceiling Lights
Surface-mounted LED panels or downlights are a step up in efficiency and lifespan. They’re a good option if you want a clean ceiling, but:
- You may need many fittings to properly cover a double garage.
- Downlights can create “spotty” lighting with dark areas between beams.
High-Bay or Shop Lights
High-bay style LED fixtures can be effective in large or high-ceiling garages and workshops. In standard residential garages, however, they may feel too bright in one spot and too dark elsewhere.
Hexagon LED Garage Lighting Systems
Hexagon lights use interconnected LED tubes to create a honeycomb pattern on the ceiling. For many Australian garages, they offer the best balance of brightness, coverage, and visual impact:
- Wide, even coverage: the grid layout spreads light across the entire ceiling, reducing shadows around vehicles and work areas.
- High-lumen output: modern hexagon systems can comfortably illuminate single, double, and multi-purpose garages.
- Clean, modern aesthetic: ideal if your garage also doubles as a showroom, home gym, or content studio.
- Modular design: different grid shapes and sizes can be matched to almost any floor plan.
To see what a full hexagon setup looks like, browse our dedicated garage lighting range here: HexSpace hexagon garage lights.
How Bright Should Your Garage Lighting Be?
Brightness is measured in lumens, not watts. Instead of focusing on the power of each globe, think about the total light output for the whole garage.
- Basic storage garage: a modest total lumen level is usually enough to navigate and find items.
- DIY, woodworking, or mechanical work: you’ll want significantly more light, with wide, even coverage over benches and around the car.
- Car detailing or content creation: this is where high-output hexagon systems shine – bright, uniform light that reveals fine defects and makes colours pop.
Because garages vary widely in size and height, the best way to choose brightness is to look at the total lumens of a kit and match it to how you use the space. Our product pages list output and recommended coverage areas so you can pick a kit that suits your single, double, or extended garage.
Choosing the Right Colour Temperature
Colour temperature is measured in Kelvin (K) and affects how “warm” or “cool” the light feels:
- Warm white (around 3000K): softer, more ambient; good if your garage is also a relaxation or entertainment area.
- Neutral white (around 4000K): balanced and comfortable for general use, home gyms, and multipurpose garages.
- Cool white (5000–6500K): crisp and bright; ideal for workshops, detailing bays, and spaces where you need high clarity.
HexSpace hex light kits offer multiple colour temperature options, so you can choose the feel that suits your space – from warmer, lounge-style garages to bright, professional work areas.
Why Hexagon LED Lights Are a Top Choice for Australian Garages
Hexagon lighting has rapidly become the preferred option for many Australian homeowners and small businesses. Here’s why it works so well in garages:
Shadow-Free, Wide Coverage
The honeycomb layout spreads light across the whole ceiling. This helps reduce harsh shadows around vehicles, benches, and storage racks, making it easier and safer to work.
High-Performance LED Technology
Quality hexagon systems use efficient LED chips and diffusers to provide bright, even light while keeping power consumption low. HexSpace systems are built with high-CRI LEDs that make colours, finishes, and small details more accurate and easier to see.
Engineered for AU/NZ Standards
Most budget hexagon lights sold online are generic imports made with minimal quality control. HexSpace hexagon light systems are engineered specifically for the Australian and New Zealand markets, with:
- Aluminium housing for improved heat dissipation and durability.
- Long-pin connectors and robust cabling for better electrical contact.
- 3-pin grounded design for extra protection and components designed to work with local power systems.
To learn more about how our products differ from generic brand, visit Why Choose HexSpace.
Clean Aesthetic for Modern Garages
If your garage doubles as a showroom, home gym, or content studio, lighting is part of your interior design. Hexagon lights add a clean, modern, high-impact look that makes the space feel finished instead of “just a garage”.
Recommended Garage Lighting Setups
Every garage is a bit different, but here are some common starting points using hexagon LED systems:
Single Garage or Compact Space
For a standard single garage used for parking, basic DIY, or storage, a compact grid (for example, a 7-grid layout) often provides enough coverage for the central area and around the vehicle. You can expand later if you convert the space into a full workshop or gym.
Double Garage or Long Bay
For double garages or long bays, a longer hexagon layout (for example, a 14-grid layout) or two smaller grids side-by-side usually works best. This helps cover both car bays and gives you light over storage or a workbench along one wall.
Multi-Use Garage, Gym or Workshop
If your garage doubles as a home gym, detailing bay, or serious workshop, consider a larger grid or multiple kits to cover all zones – car, bench, and exercise area. Bright, uniform light across the whole space makes it easier to move between activities without dark patches.
You can explore ready-made kits and see example layouts here: browse HexSpace garage lights.
Installation Options and Safety
Most hexagon lighting kits are designed to be straightforward to assemble. However, electrical safety should always come first.
- Plug-and-play setup: many Australian customers use our kits with a supplied plug, connecting the system to a standard power point. This is generally suitable for DIY-friendly installations where you’re not modifying the fixed wiring.
- Hardwiring to a wall switch: if you want your garage lights controlled from an existing wall switch or integrated into your home’s electrical circuits, a licensed electrician should complete the final connection.
For a step-by-step overview of how assembly works, see our installation guide: how to install hexagon lights.
Always follow local electrical regulations and consult a licensed electrician for any fixed wiring or hardwired installations.
When to Consider a Custom Garage Lighting Layout
Standard kits work well for many spaces, but some garages need a custom solution – for example:
- Irregular or L-shaped garages.
- Spaces that combine gym, workshop, and vehicle storage in one room.
- Commercial garages, detailing studios, or showrooms with specific branding or layout requirements.
If you have plans or approximate dimensions, our team can help you design a layout and recommend colour temperature and kit combinations that fit your budget and use case.
Start a project with us here: request a custom hex garage lights layout.
Why Choose HexSpace for Garage Lighting in Australia
HexSpace specialises in hexagon lighting for garages, gyms, workshops, and commercial spaces across Australia and New Zealand. Key advantages include:
- Engineered for AU/NZ: systems designed around local electrical standards and real-world garages.
- Premium construction: aluminium frames, robust long-pin connectors, and high-quality drivers.
- High visual performance: high-CRI LEDs, wide beam angles, and layouts that minimise shadows.
- 50+ layouts and colour temperatures: options ranging from warm white to crisp 6500K, suitable for both home and commercial use.
- Custom design support: help with choosing the right kit or building a bespoke layout for your space.
FAQ: Best Garage Lighting in Australia
What is the best type of lighting for a garage in Australia?
For most Australian garages, high-quality LED lighting is the best option because it offers bright output, long lifespan, and lower power use. Hexagon LED light systems are particularly effective where you want wide, shadow-free coverage and a modern look, such as home gyms, detailing bays, and multi-purpose garages.
How many lights do I need for my garage?
This depends on the size of your garage, ceiling height, and how you use the space. A small single garage might only need one compact hexagon grid, while a double garage or combined workshop may benefit from a larger or extended layout.
Are hexagon lights good for garages?
Yes. Hexagon lights are ideal for garages because they spread light across the entire ceiling rather than concentrating it in one or two spots. This leads to fewer shadows around your car, benches, and storage areas, which is particularly helpful for DIY work, detailing, and home gyms.
What colour temperature is best for a garage?
For most garages used as workshops or detailing spaces, neutral to cool white (around 5000–6500K) is popular because it feels bright and clear. If your garage doubles as a lounge or entertainment area, a slightly warmer white can make the space feel more relaxed. HexSpace kits offer several colour temperature options so you can match the feel you prefer.
Can I install garage lighting myself?
You can usually assemble and mount hexagon light frames yourself if you’re comfortable with basic DIY tasks, especially when using a plug-in power lead. However, any work involving fixed wiring or connection to your home’s electrical circuits must be done by a licensed electrician in Australia.
How long do hexagon garage lights last?
High-quality hexagon LED systems are designed for long service life when used correctly. Well-engineered kits with good heat management and certified drivers can provide many thousands of hours of use with minimal maintenance. Lower-quality kits that use thin plastic housings or untested drivers may age more quickly.
Are hexagon garage lights expensive to run?
Despite their high brightness, hexagon LED systems are generally energy-efficient compared with older fluorescent or halogen lighting. They convert more of the power they use into usable light, so running costs are often lower than you might expect, especially if you replace multiple older fittings with a single efficient grid.
Conclusion: Upgrading to the Best Garage Lighting for Your Space
Good garage lighting is about more than just seeing where you’re going. The right setup makes DIY projects safer, car care easier, home workouts more enjoyable, and the whole space feel finished instead of forgotten. For many Australian homeowners, hexagon garage light systems offer the best mix of performance, efficiency, and style – especially when they’re engineered for local standards.
If you’re planning a lighting upgrade, explore our range of hexagon lights or start a custom hex lights design with the HexSpace team. For project enquiries or trade requests, you can contact us at info@hexspace.com.au.
