
The 8 Worst Shed Light Mistakes You’re Making (And How to Fix Them)
Alexander BevanShare
Is your shed light bright enough to illuminate everything around you without you bumping into objects around your shed? The backyard shed is often overlooked when renovating or improving the lighting in our homes. Yet, with the right shed lights, your shed can transform from a simple storage space into a versatile extension of your home.
Whether you're looking to create a cosy home office, a vibrant art studio, or simply organise your gardening tools more effectively, the best lighting for a shed can make all the difference. In this article, we are going to explore the different ways you can utilise your shed, the best lighting options for various purposes, and common mistakes to avoid when illuminating your shed.
What is the main purpose of a shed?
Your shed can be a storage space or an extension of your main house. Once you install the best light for a shed built in your backyard, you will have extra space in your home to use in any of the following ways:
Extra storage space
A backyard shed offers cost-effective additional storage. Good lighting helps keep it organised and makes locating items easier.
Home studio or workshop
Transform your shed into a cosy space for artistic or DIY projects. Ensure ample lighting for late-night creativity. Add pathway lighting to give your shed some character.
A potting shed
Perfect for hobbyist gardeners. Use it for potting plants or storing materials. In limited space, divide it into a working area and a small garden.
A kid’s playhouse
Convert your shed into a colourful, weatherproof playhouse. Keep toys out of the house while giving kids their own space.
Extra accommodation
Turn your shed into a cosy guesthouse. A well-lit shed house with a bed and bath will offer privacy and comfort for visitors.
Entertainment room
Create your dream man cave with a TV, projector, and sound system. Strategic lighting enhances both aesthetics and functionality.
A home gym
Convert your shed into a personal fitness centre. Use LED batten lights 6000K to mimic daylight, keeping you alert and motivated.
Home office
A shed office provides a quiet, private work environment. Include desks, a lounge area, plants, and functional lighting for productive late nights.
Garden bar
Install a chic garden bar for entertaining. Stock it with essentials, and add bar stools and plants. Include outdoor speakers for ambience.
What is the best light for a shed?
Proper lighting is a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of shed design and functionality. Whether your shed serves as extra storage space, a cosy home office, a creative studio, or a multi-purpose area, the right shed lighting can dramatically enhance its usability and ambience.
Below are various lighting options suitable for different shed uses:
Task Lighting
Task lighting is crucial for sheds that serve as workspaces, such as home offices, workshops, or potting sheds. This type of lighting focuses intense illumination on specific areas where detailed work is performed. Under-cabinet LED tubes are an excellent choice for workbenches or shelving units, providing direct light exactly where needed without casting shadows.
For a potting workshop, consider clamp-on task lights that can be easily moved and re-positioned. These lights are useful for intricate tasks like seed starting or detailed crafting projects. For a home office, a good-quality desk lamp with adjustable brightness and colour temperature can reduce eye strain during long work sessions.
Accent Lighting
Accent lighting plays two roles in shed light design: it enhances room aesthetics, and provides functional illumination for specific areas. Wall sconces can create a warm, inviting atmosphere in entertainment rooms or garden bars, casting a soft glow that complements overhead lighting.
For a kid's playhouse or entertainment room, consider fun and colourful accent lights like LED strips in various hues. These can be used to create different moods or themes within the space. In a home gym or yoga studio, strategically placed accent lights can help create a motivating atmosphere for workouts.
LED Ceiling Lights
LED ceiling lights are ideal for sheds, providing broad, even illumination. They're energy-efficient, using less power than traditional bulbs, which reduces electricity costs. LEDs also have a long lifespan, lasting tens of thousands of hours, making them convenient for sheds where frequent bulb changes are impractical. LED lights offer adjustable colour temperatures, allowing you to switch between warm and cool white light. This feature is useful for multi-purpose sheds, creating cosy atmospheres or enhancing visibility for detailed tasks.
For those needing more heavy-duty lighting solutions, consider Batten Lights LED for Outdoor IP65 Weatherproof. Available in both 4ft and 5ft options, these lights are perfect for sheds that may be exposed to the elements, ensuring durability and reliability. Their weatherproof design makes them an excellent choice for outdoor settings, enhancing both functionality and safety.

Smart Lighting Systems
Smart lighting systems add a new level of versatility to shed lighting. These systems allow you to create and control custom lighting scenes via smartphone apps or voice commands. For multi-purpose sheds that frequently change function, smart lighting can be a game-changer. You can set up different lighting configurations for when the shed is a workspace versus when it's serving as an entertainment area.
Many smart lighting systems also have features like scheduling and remote control, which can be useful for security purposes or for creating the illusion of occupancy when you're away. Some systems can integrate with other smart home devices, allowing for sophisticated automation scenarios.
Motion-Activated Lights
Motion-activated shed lights are an excellent addition to any shed, particularly for storage areas or entrances. These lights automatically turn on when they detect movement, providing immediate illumination when you enter the space. This feature is not only convenient, but it also enhances security by illuminating the area if there's any unexpected activity around your shed.
Battery-Powered or Solar Lights
Battery-powered and solar lights offer flexible lighting solutions, especially for sheds without easy access to electrical outlets. These lights can be placed anywhere within the shed without worrying about wiring or electrical connections. Solar lights, in particular, are an eco-friendly option that can help reduce energy costs.
8 Common Shed Light Mistakes to Avoid
1. Lack of planning
Without a clear plan of how you want to install your fixtures, you can end up with poorly placed fixtures that produce unflattering light and undesirable dark corners. Always start by considering where you want to install your shed lights.
Plan on lighting important areas like your workstation, storage points, or pathways. A well-thought-out shed light setup can transform a boring-looking shed into a functional, inviting workspace.
2. Ignoring natural lighting
Many shed owners overlook the potential of natural light, relying solely on artificial lighting. Over-reliance on artificial lighting can lead to unnecessary energy consumption and a less flattering shed. Natural light reduces the need for artificial lighting during the day and creates a more inviting and productive space.
Incorporate windows, skylights, or translucent roofing panels in your shed design to maximise natural light. Position your workstations or frequently used areas near these natural light sources. Use light-coloured interiors to reflect and distribute natural light more effectively.
3. Relying on one light source
Depending on a single light source, such as a central ceiling light, often leads to uneven lighting with harsh shadows and dark corners. It can make it difficult to perform tasks or make your shed space less inspiring.
You can change this by implementing multiple light sources to create a layered lighting scheme. Use a combination of ambient, task, and accent lighting. For example, combine overhead lights with under-shelf lighting and portable task lamps to create a versatile and well-lit space.
4. Overusing recessed downlights
While recessed downlights can be effective in certain situations, overusing them can create a flat, uninspiring lighting environment. They may also cast unflattering shadows and fail to illuminate vertical surfaces effectively.
Use recessed downlights sparingly and complement them with other types of lighting. Consider wall-mounted fixtures, pendant lights, or track lighting to add depth and interest to your shed's lighting design.
5. Improper light placement
Poorly placed lights can create glare, cast unwanted shadows, or fail to illuminate important areas effectively. An improperly lit shed can cause eye strain and reduce the functionality of your shed space.
Consider the specific uses of different areas in your shed when placing lights. Position task lighting directly above work areas to avoid casting shadows. Use adjustable fixtures where possible to allow for flexibility in directing light.
6. Wrong placement of light switches
Inconveniently placed light switches can be frustrating and may discourage proper use of your lighting setup. This is especially problematic in larger sheds or those with multiple entrances.
Place light switches near entrances for easy access when entering the shed. For larger sheds, consider using multiple switches or smart lighting systems that can be controlled remotely or through motion sensors.
7. Choosing lights solely on wattage
Selecting lights based on wattage alone can lead to inadequate lighting or energy inefficiency. It's crucial to focus on lumens (light output) rather than wattage when choosing lights, especially with modern LED shed lights.
Calculate the lumens needed for your space based on its size and intended use. Ideally, aim for about 10-20 lumens per square foot. Areas that need brighter light like task areas may require 30-40 lumens per square foot.
Always choose shed light that provides the right amount of light (lumens) for your needs. With LED lights, you can achieve the desired brightness while consuming less energy compared to traditional incandescent lights. For example, an the Morris 5ft LED batten light producing 4500 lumens might only use 45 watts, while an incandescent bulb producing the same light output would use about 300 watts.
8. Failure to consider energy consumption
Overlooking energy efficiency in your lighting choices can lead to unnecessarily high energy bills and a larger environmental footprint.
Consider energy-efficient LED battens, which use less energy and last longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. Consider installing motion sensors or timers to ensure lights are only on when needed. Maximise the use of natural light to reduce reliance on artificial lighting during daylight hours.

Conclusion
The best way to light your shed is through a layered lighting approach. You can combine good quality LED ceiling lights supplemented with LED task lights and accent lights depending on specific areas or activities. This layered approach to lighting ensures that your shed is well-lit and provides the flexibility to adapt the lighting to various tasks and moods.
Good lighting does more than just improve visibility – it enhances safety, boosts productivity, and creates an inviting atmosphere that makes spending time in your shed a pleasure rather than a chore. Whether you're using your shed for storage, as a workspace, or as an extension of your living area, the best shed light will improve its functionality and appeal.
FAQs
How many lights do I need in my shed?
The number of lights needed depends on the size of your shed and its purpose. Aim for about one light fixture per 50-100 square feet of floor space. For a typical 8x10 foot shed, 2-3 light fixtures should suffice. However, if your shed is used as a workshop or for detailed tasks, add task lighting in specific areas.
How bright should shed light be?
Shed Lighting:
Lumens per Square Foot: 10-20 lumens
Purpose: Provides general visibility and safety in less frequently used spaces.
Brighter Task Areas:
Lumens per Square Foot: 30-40 lumens
Purpose: Ensures adequate lighting for tasks that require more focus and visibility, such as hobbies or repair work.
Detailed Tasks:
Lumens per Square Foot: 80-100 lumens
Purpose: Essential for precision work, such as crafting or intricate repairs, to reduce eye strain and improve accuracy.
Remember, it's often better to have multiple light sources that you can control independently rather than one very bright light.
What colour should outdoor lights be?
For outdoor lighting around your shed, warm white (2700K-3000K) is recommended as it fosters a cosy and welcoming atmosphere while minimising disturbance to wildlife and neighbours. However, if the area is utilised for tasks requiring enhanced visibility, such as a pathway to a workshop shed, a cooler white light (3000K-4000K) may be more suitable. For security lighting, daylight temperatures (5000K-6500K) can be effective, but they should be used sparingly to prevent light pollution.
For a variety of outdoor floodlights lighting, check out our selection at Morris Floodlights.