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Cove lighting ideas

5 years ago

Hello, I am planning to do the cove lighting in my house. The molding is already installed and wiring all done. I have ordered the lights and gave 2 options ,not sure which one I should go with. Please see pictures. Thank you!

Comments (18)

  • 5 years ago

    I would use tape lights in the the second photo because the LEDs are closer together so they'd provide a more even glow across the ceiling.

    Do you know how you're going to handle the corners? Here's an article on the subject. I think you'll need connectors as the space between the cove and the ceiling appears so tight.

    I hope the ceiling is in good shape as defects will be highlighted by the tape lights. Be sure to use dimmers. You'll be surprised how bright LED tape lights can be!

  • 5 years ago

    Thank you very much for your reply. Do you know if I can use the connectors? It’s not just the strip, it’s covered in plastic and I agree with you and do like the 2nd one more. It’s one strip 150ft, was told to cut it where needed and connect to main electric line, doesn’t require a transformer. In fact if I plug it in the outlet it works fine. The connectors for the corners that are in the article you shared looks the cleanest I am just not sure if it’s csn be used with the strip that I have that’s already in plastic

  • 5 years ago

    "Do you know if I can use the connectors?"

    What is the brand and model number/name of the single-row LED tape lights you bought?

    How many electrical connections inside the cove are there, just one for the entire ceiling? Can you take a picture of the electrical connection?

  • 5 years ago

    Would you mind providing more information regarding your LED lights and where you purchased them? We are building and we are in the process of deciding what to put in our ceiling for the same type of ambient lighting.
    Thank you so much!

  • 5 years ago

    I ordered from Amazon.

  • 5 years ago

    There is no connections as far as I can see, it’s a 150 ft and has 1 connection

  • 5 years ago

    Thank you

  • 5 years ago

    You're going to need tape light connectors that are the appropriate width and have the correct number of pins for your tape lights. As you can see, there are some that snap on, some that screw on, some that are L-shaped, etc. Maybe you can use short, L-shape connectors (example) to connect together two short sections (at each corner) with long sections to light the cove continuously. Or just light the long, straight sections by connecting the tape lights together with wire connectors (example) at the corners. I think it will look nicer if you can light the entire cove but those three-90 degree-angle corners will make it harder to do.

  • 5 years ago

    So the withers installed the strip however it doesn’t give correct light. The light line is broken (see picture). Could someone please suggest how it can be fixed? 1. It’s not possible to attach the strip to the wall with proper attachment beakers 2. Right now they just dropped it inside the molding. Should the strip be connected to the wall in the back if it’s ok to connect it to the molding? 3. How can we fix the issue with light breaks? May be double tape? All the way around. Thanks in advance for your help.

  • 5 years ago

    Also it is bright when I trueness it on not installed yet but not so bright after installed, probably facing the wrong way or too deep in the molding?

  • 5 years ago

    May be attach it to the back side if the molding on the top? See the red dot on the attached picture.

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Is there something periodically blocking the light from the tape lights? Did you go up on a ladder to check whether the tape lights are lit continously?

    Here are a couple of articles that describe tape light installation. Tape lights have adhesive backs but you can also use clips to hold them in position as described in the articles. I would assume that the tape lights should be attached to the cove facing upward but I don't know how the inside of the cove is shaped. I suppose they could also be attached to the wall facing outward but the gap between the cove and the ceiling is pretty small so it might be hard to attach them there.



  • 5 years ago

    When the lights were not installed they were continuously lit. These breaks happen after installation

  • 5 years ago

    I think it’s this way, if I put it on top it will be visible from the side.

  • 5 years ago

    May be it was my mistake getting the strip in plastic? Maybe the regular LV strip would be easier to install? I don’t know:)

  • 5 years ago

    Btw... to make it clear. I lost access to my other profile, this is my post, I am commenting here to follow. Thank you!

  • 5 years ago

    "I think it’s this way, if I put it on top it will be visible from the side."

    It depends on the width of the top surface. If it's significantly wider than the tape, you can attach it to the top but as close to the wall as possible. Remember you'll be standing on the ground from which you won't able to see it.

    If light shines through the cracks between pieces of coving, caulk the cracks.