Coving

The coving you will find here frames the room from above: self-adhesive corner lines for the edge where the wall meets the ceiling, strips to fit flat, flower decorations for the corners and two polyurethane ceiling roses with a plaster effect for the light fitting.

To decorate the walls too see the wall mouldings and the self-adhesive decorative wall mouldings.

8 products

Which coving and ceiling cornice elements you will find here

These are all decorations for the ceiling and for the edge where it meets the wall. Almost all the coving here is self-adhesive profile, many pieces 230 cm long: you remove the film from the back and make it stick by pressing. The exceptions are the two ceiling roses, which need to be stuck on with adhesive.

  • Corner lines for the edge between wall and ceiling, 9.5, 12 or 14 cm wide, plus a model for internal and external corners.
  • Decorative strips and borders to fit flat: one is 12 cm wide, another is sold in lengths of 3, 5 or 6 m and is also used on walls.
  • Flower decorations: a foam moulding of 230 × 8 cm with flowers in relief and a European-style adhesive decoration for the ceiling corners.
  • Soft decorative line of 1 or 2 m, handy for short stretches.
  • Polyurethane ceiling roses with a plaster effect, one white and one carved.

Modern or classic coving for ceilings: how to choose

The style is decided by the width and the pattern of the profile. In a modern setting a continuous line around the whole perimeter is enough, for example the 9.5 cm corner one. A 12 cm strip stands out more and can draw a second frame further in. For a pattern across the whole surface there are the decorative ceiling panels.

For a classic style the motifs count: the moulding with flowers in relief, the flower decorations in the corners and the carved ceiling rose in the centre recall the ceilings of period homes. The floral theme can be picked up again on the walls with the flower wall stickers. If the ceiling is low, choose narrow profiles.

Which material for the ceiling: PVC, foam, polyurethane or wood

The material is stated on some models: the 12 cm corner line is PVC, the 8 cm flower moulding is foam and the two ceiling roses are plaster effect polyurethane. For the other profiles check the product page.

Real wood, in battens or coffers, is not fixed to the ceiling with a simple adhesive: mounting adhesive and wall plugs are needed. There are no wooden profiles here: if that is what you are looking for, see the wooden mouldings with slats to paint.

Coving and light fitting: how to choose the ceiling rose

The ceiling rose is the round decoration that goes over the light fitting, around the fixing: it covers the plaster marks near the cables and acts as the centre of the moulding that runs along the edge.

Before ordering, measure the diameter of the ceiling canopy of the light, that is, the cover that hides the cables: the ceiling rose has to be wider. To fit it, switch off the power at the fuse box and take down the light, then stick the ceiling rose on with a mounting adhesive for polyurethane and put the light back when the glue has taken.

Rooms for ceiling coving, from the living room to the loft

In the living room coving all around the perimeter works well, with the ceiling rose over the table. In the corridor, where the ceiling is long and narrow, a single corner line is enough. In the bedroom area you can continue the same design on the headboard wall with the wall mouldings, while the two models for ceiling and walls can serve as the top edge over a self-adhesive wallpaper.

People who search for roof mouldings are usually referring to the interior ceiling, often the sloping one of a loft. There corner profiles adapt badly, because between the slope and the wall the angle is not a right angle: it is better to use a flat strip placed on the slope, a few centimetres from the edge.

How to fit self-adhesive coving on the ceiling

Up there it is best to work in pairs, on a stable ladder: one holds the roll, the other peels off the film and presses. First run your palm over the paint: if your hand comes away white or you see damp stains, the adhesive will grip poorly and the surface must be fixed first.

  • Remove the dust from the edge and, if you have just painted, wait until the paint is dry.
  • Draw a guide line in pencil, so the profile stays straight even if the edge is not.
  • At the corners cut the ends at 45 degrees, using a set square, so that the pieces fit.
  • Peel off the film in sections of 30-40 cm and press with a clean cloth as you go.
  • Butt the pieces together, without overlapping, and go over the joins with your fingers.

How many pieces you need and how to compare prices for coving

Measure the perimeter of the room and divide it by the length of the profile, rounding up. A room of 4 × 3 m has a perimeter of 14 m: with 230 cm pieces the sum gives 6.1, so you need 7 rolls. If the result is close to the next whole number, such as 6.9, order one more: the 45-degree cuts at the corners use up a few centimetres.

Adhesive profiles are the most economical option and the polyurethane ceiling roses the most expensive; to compare, divide the price by the metres of profile in each piece. Delivery is tracked, the maximum delivery time for your country is shown on each product page before you buy, and you can return your order within 30 days.

Frequently asked questions

What is coving for on a ceiling?

It mainly serves to finish the point where the wall meets the ceiling, where the paint line often does not come out sharp: a line along the edge hides the join. A strip placed further in draws a second frame and a ceiling rose gives the light fitting a centre. It has no technical functions: it is a decorative finish.

What is ceiling boiserie called?

Boiserie is a French word that referred to the wooden covering of walls; it is also called panelling. For the ceiling more precise terms are used: coving or cornice for the profile that runs along the edge, moulding when it has a pattern in relief and ceiling rose for the round decoration around the light. In shops, however, it is often found as ceiling boiserie.

What ideas are there for decorating a ceiling?

Start with the edge, with a corner line all around the perimeter; then add a flat strip 20-30 cm from the wall to get a double frame. Over the table or over the bed, a ceiling rose around the light fitting acts as a centre, and in the corners the flower decorations complete the classic style. For a modern effect leave just one continuous line around the perimeter.

How do you clean self-adhesive boiserie on the ceiling?

Now and then remove the dust with a feather duster or a dry cloth fixed to a pole. For a stain use a barely damp cloth, with water only, without rubbing and without solvents or abrasive products, which can damage the surface and the relief. If a stretch comes away, press it for a few seconds; if it will not hold, add a bead of mounting adhesive.

Can self-adhesive boiserie be removed without damaging the ceiling?

It depends on the paint. On recent, well-bonded paint the profiles come off by pulling slowly, almost parallel to the ceiling, but some adhesive residue or a little colour may come away. On old paint, or paint that sheds dust, the risk is higher. Expect a touch-up and, if you rent, test a short piece first in an inconspicuous corner.

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