Light. Always. Not because I like it, but because a floor laid in a poorly lit garage isn't visible, whereas proper lighting makes a floor that isn't yet clean appear clean.
There's also a practical reason: installing ceiling panels when the room is empty and the floor is bare takes half a day. Doing it after installing tiles, a workbench, and a car inside is another matter.
The order that prevents having to redo everything
- Electricity. A dedicated line, a well-placed switch, and if possible, a second circuit for the workbench outlets.
- Lighting. The ceiling is clear, the walls are accessible, no one is walking on a new floor.
- The floor. Clip-on tiles, paint, or resin: you can finally see what you're doing, and concrete defects are visible before being covered.
- Storage and furniture. Last, once you know where the light falls.
How many hexagons for a residential garage
A private garage serves as storage, an occasional workshop, and sometimes an exhibition space for a beloved car. The reference density is that of the garage: 0.55 hexagons per m², or about one panel per 1.8 m².
| Garage | Surface | Hexagons |
|---|---|---|
| One car | 15 to 18 m² | 8 to 10 |
| One car + workbench | 20 to 25 m² | 11 to 14 |
| Two cars | 30 to 35 m² | 17 to 19 |
| Two cars + workshop | 40 m² and up | 22 and up |
If the ceiling is over 3 m high—a common case in old houses and outbuildings—add 50%.
The three beginner mistakes
- Centering the pattern on the room rather than on the use. A beautiful symmetry on the ceiling is useless if the car is parked under half the grid and the workbench is in the dark corner.
- Choosing light that is too warm. In a garage, 3,000 K creates a living room atmosphere and flattens contrasts. 6,500 K is a neutral light that shows true colors, including those of the bodywork.
- Forgetting the garage door. A panel placed too close to the rail obstructs the upward movement of the sectional door. Mark the full travel path before tracing.
And the floor, speaking of it?
Once the light is in place, the floor becomes an amplifier. A light floor reflects some of the light towards the ceiling and illuminates the underside of vehicles; a very dark floor absorbs and requires additional panels. If you're hesitating between two shades of tiles, the lighter one will improve visual comfort without changing your setup.
Key takeaways
- Electricity, then light, then floor, then storage.
- 0.55 hexagons per m² for a residential garage, +50% for ceilings over 3 m high.
- The grid is planned based on use, not symmetry.
- A light floor gives you free extra light.
See white hexagonal LED kits — configurations are categorized by the number of panels; simply refer to the table row that corresponds to your garage.
