Choosing the right coving or cornice for your home can be a tricky decision, especially with so many styles, materials, and sizes available. Whether you’re renovating a period property or enhancing a modern space, coving and cornice add a stylish finish to your walls and ceilings, giving your rooms a more polished and cohesive look. In this guide, we’ll explore how to choose the perfect coving and cornice to suit your home in the UK.

Understand the Difference Between Coving and Cornice

Before you begin your search for the right coving or cornice, it’s important to understand the distinction between these two decorative elements.

Coving is a concave, rounded profile, usually used to soften the joint between the ceiling and walls. It adds a simple yet elegant finish to a room.
Cornice, on the other hand, is typically more elaborate and includes a more intricate profile. It often has decorative detailing, such as floral or geometric patterns, and is used to enhance the upper junction of the room. Cornice is more often found in traditional or period-style homes.

Both elements serve similar purposes but can dramatically change the aesthetic of a room. When deciding between the two, think about the style of your home and how much detail you want to add.

Explore our full range of coving and cornice designs at Coving Online.

Consider the Style of Your Home

When selecting coving or cornice, it’s crucial to consider the overall style of your home. The design should complement the architecture and other elements in the room. Here are some things to think about:

Traditional Homes: If you live in a period property, such as a Georgian, Victorian, or Edwardian house, intricate cornices are often the best option. These homes typically feature high ceilings, so decorative cornices can help balance the proportions of the room.
Modern and Contemporary Homes: For modern or contemporary homes, you may prefer cleaner, simpler coving designs. Modern polyurethane coving with a smooth finish is a popular choice in these types of spaces because it’s lightweight and easy to install.
Minimalist Spaces: If your home follows a minimalist design, consider subtle, sleek coving that doesn’t overwhelm the space. You might opt for simple, smooth coving profiles or even LED coving for a modern, ambient lighting effect.

Take a look at our shop for inspiration on different styles of coving and cornice to suit your home.

Consider the Size of the Room

The size of the room plays a vital role in selecting the appropriate coving or cornice. Larger rooms often benefit from more detailed and ornate cornices that add grandeur to the space, while smaller rooms may look better with simple coving designs to avoid overwhelming the room.

Large Rooms or High Ceilings: For larger rooms or homes with high ceilings, decorative cornices with intricate detailing can add a sense of luxury and fill the space effectively.
Smaller Rooms or Low Ceilings: If you have a smaller room or lower ceilings, narrower coving with clean, soft curves is a good choice. It helps maintain the proportion of the room and can create the illusion of height.

For cornices that are perfect for larger rooms, visit our installation page for expert guidance.

Choose the Right Material for Your Coving and Cornice

The material of your coving or cornice is another crucial consideration. The most popular materials in the UK include plaster, polyurethane, and MDF. Each material has its own advantages and limitations:

Plaster Coving and Cornice: Traditional plaster coving is heavy but offers a high-quality, authentic look. It’s ideal for period properties that require a more classic, intricate finish. However, it can be harder to install and more expensive compared to other materials.
Polyurethane Coving and Cornice: Polyurethane is a popular, lightweight material that’s much easier to install. It’s durable, moisture-resistant, and available in a wide range of styles, making it an excellent choice for both traditional and modern interiors. It’s also easier to maintain compared to plaster.
MDF Coving and Cornice: MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard) is another option that is cost-effective and easy to work with. It’s typically painted, so it works well in contemporary homes where a sleek finish is desired.

For more details on materials and installation options, visit our trade page.

Choose a Colour That Complements Your Space

The colour of your coving or cornice should complement the rest of your interior design. Most commonly, coving and cornice are painted in white or off-white shades, as they blend easily with most wall colours and make a room appear brighter and more spacious. However, you can also paint your coving or cornice in bold colours or match it to the wall colour for a more dramatic effect.

White Coving: Classic and timeless, white coving works well in virtually any room and enhances the feeling of space.
Contrasting Colours: For a more modern look, consider painting your cornice in contrasting colours like grey, navy, or even metallic tones for a more contemporary feel.
Matching Colours: If you prefer a cohesive look, choose a colour that matches the wall paint for a seamless transition between the ceiling and walls.

Explore the range of colours and styles available in our shop.

Think About the Installation Process

Once you’ve chosen the right coving or cornice, it’s important to consider the installation process. Coving and cornice installation is a skilled task that requires precision, especially when working with intricate patterns and angles.

If you’re unsure about how to install coving or cornice, it’s a good idea to consult a professional. Coving Online offers expert installation services, ensuring that your coving or cornice is fitted perfectly.

You can book professional installation on our installation page. Alternatively, if you’re a DIY enthusiast, we provide helpful guides and tips to assist with the process.

Maintenance and Durability

Finally, it’s important to think about the maintenance and durability of the material you choose. Polyurethane coving is particularly low-maintenance, as it resists cracking, denting, and moisture damage, making it ideal for kitchens and bathrooms. Plaster coving, while more traditional and authentic, may require more care to prevent damage over time.

Check our parcel panel for delivery information and to get your coving and cornice shipped directly to your door.

Conclusion

Choosing the right coving or cornice for your home in the UK can be a rewarding process, but it requires careful consideration of style, size, material, and installation. Whether you’re after the grandeur of a Victorian cornice or the clean lines of modern coving, the right choice will enhance your space and add a professional finish to any room.

At Coving Online, we offer a variety of coving and cornice styles to suit your needs. Browse our shop for inspiration or contact us for professional installation advice.

Take your home design to the next level with the right coving or cornice, and enjoy a stunning, well-finished living space