To cove or not to cove

[Johntheboy]

Hi,

Simple as the title suggests, I'm just wondering thoughts on coving, is it something that's in or out or does it make painting up to the ceiling a little easier?

Many thanks!

 

[Jackrae]

Good coving turns a plain cube into a beautiful room - but go for quality material, not the cheap expanded polystyrene rubbish.
Although heavy, real plaster coving is great to work with and permits all sorts of wall to ceiling defects to be blended out, which the cellular types are less able to do. Not all walls are dead straight and if you use a non-flexible coving such defects show up really badly. Plaster coving can be "broken" to work around such defects and once any cracks are filled you'll never notice the defect.

 

[joe-90]

It's 'out'. Looks like granny's place.

 

[geraldthehamster]

I think with a ceiling of less than 8 foot, coving looks crammed in and makes the ceiling feel lower.

Cheers
Richard

 

[phatboy]

I know of many who say it's dated, but our house is 17 years old with 2.4m ceilings and I coved the lounge with 4" (I think) plaster coving and I like it - takes away the squareness and seems to soften the room.

However in the bedrooms I prefer un coved.

I think there is no right or wrong answer, it's a personal opinion thing.

 

[b21playa]

I've done the same as phatboy in our 30's semi. Lounge and hallway coved in the sculptured version and makes the room look a lot better.

 

[Ben565]

Don't know if it's in or out, but we have it in the lounge of our 1920's semi with 8ft ceilings and it adds a nice classy touch.

My stepmom has it in her modern house, doesn't have the same classic look but still makes the room look "finished" in my opinion.

We don't have it in all the rooms though. I think it depends on the type of room, the kind of look you want, and personal opinion.

 

[WalksWithTurkeys]

I don't have it in the bathroom or kitchen, for some reason it didn't seem to fit. But I have plaster coving everywhere else, a lot put up by myself, I think it really adds to a room. I think if you want the ultra modern look, grand designs style, skip it. Assuming you have furniture to match. But with most furniture and decor styles it usually improves the room.