Cove Lighting Guide: Dimensions, LED Specs and Common Mistakes
By Mrunalini Nikte · Published 17 October 2026 · Last updated 17 October 2026 · Technical guides · 2 min read
A good cove light has a cove at least 150 to 200 mm wide, a strip hidden from seated eye level, a white matt surface to bounce off, and a warm, high-CRI LED. Most failures come from a cove that is too shallow, a strip that is too close to the ceiling, or cheap LEDs that show as dots.
The dimensions that matter
- Cove width: 150 to 200 mm from the wall or ceiling edge to the lip. Narrower than this and the strip becomes visible.
- Distance from strip to ceiling plane: Leave around 300 mm above the strip when you can. Less than that produces a bright band with an abrupt fall-off instead of a smooth gradient.
- Lip height: High enough that a person sitting on the sofa cannot see the strip. Check this against seated eye height, about 1100 mm, not standing height.
Choosing the LED strip
- Colour temperature: 2700K to 3000K for living rooms and bedrooms. Use 3500K to 4000K only in offices or study areas.
- CRI: 90 or above, so wood, skin and fabric look natural.
- Density: 120 LEDs per metre or more, or a COB strip, to avoid visible dots.
- Voltage: 24V strips handle longer runs than 12V with less drop in brightness. A 12V run beyond about 5 m usually dims at the far end.
- Dimming: Specify a compatible driver and dimmer before ordering. A mismatch causes flicker.
Finishing the cove
Paint the inside surface in matt white. Glossy paint shows each LED as a bright spot. Use an aluminium channel with a diffuser for the strip so it sits straight and dissipates heat.
Common mistakes
- Putting the strip right against the ceiling edge.
- Using one lighting layer. Cove light gives ambient glow, so add accent or task lights for reading and art.
- Mixing colour temperatures across rooms that open into each other.
- Forgetting access. Leave a way to reach the driver for replacement.
Frequently asked questions
How far should cove lights be from the ceiling?
Around 300 mm of ceiling above the strip gives the smoothest wash.
Which colour is best for cove lighting at home?
Warm white, 2700K to 3000K.
Why do my cove lights look spotty?
The LED density is too low, the cove is too shallow, or the paint is glossy.
Is cove lighting enough for a living room?
No. Add focused lights for art, reading and tasks.