What is a Coved Ceiling? What Style of Decor Works Best with Coffered Ceilings?

Did you ever get into a place and noticed that it elicits a feeling of majesty and upmarket? Frequently, these features cause the room to create a non-obvious mood enhancement. Plaster ceiling arches are one of the common features of this style. A coved ceiling is more than just the termination point between the wall and the roof. It is a design feature that brings an impression of glamour and creates a visual balance.

If you plan to boost your house with a touch of class and a polished look, a coved ceiling might be what you need. In this article, I will delve into the fascinating world of coved ceilings, sharing different styles, how to install these accessories, and how they can nicely blend with your existing décor.

A coffered ceiling is a finishing of walls and ceiling without any 90-degree angles but the curves instead of that. The Oxford Dictionary defines a cove as a concave arch or moulding, usually formed at the juncture of a wall and a ceiling.

Different Types of Coved Ceiling Designs

A real coved ceiling has a curved ceiling-to-wall sort of transitional molding. They often have plenty of reveals to emphasize the impression of your site. These flat angled connections between the roof and walls are usually wrongfully considered to belong to a roof line cove ceiling.

These are the four main designs of coffered ceilings. Each one can be made unique, which helps improve the appearance and ambiance of the room.

Different Types of Coved Ceiling Designs
What is a Coved Ceiling? What Style of Decor Works Best with Coffered Ceilings? 4

1. Seamless Cove Ceilings:

Here we observe only this very traditional and uncomplicated type of flower-shaped stucco molding. The cove marine wall has a small smooth curve in its angle from the main wall to the ceiling, which is round to eliminate the sharp 90-degree angle. Such a combination results in a feeling of openness without obstacles like having one wall interfering with another wall.

2. Coved Ceiling With a Top Reveal

This design establishes a ‘wow factor’ by having a small step or reveal at the top of the niche. Think of the cove as a curved shelf with the top in place to separate it from the ceiling. This decoration lands visually, making the ceiling space seem much higher.

3. Coved Ceiling With a Bottom Reveal

The bottom section links the two ends in the same manner as the upper reveal. It’s just where the sidewalk finishes and the path up the wall to the top of the cliff starts. This design emphasizes the curvature of the cove while also adding a bit of illusion and light to the wall.

4. Coved Ceiling With Top and Bottom Reveal

Consider a coved ceiling with top and bottom reveals for a more elaborate look. This produces a distinct tiered impression, increasing visual appeal and architectural detail in the room.

Installation Process of Cove Ceilings

1. Gather your tools and materials.

The first thing that you will need to do is collect the right equipment and materials to make the coffered ceiling. You can select the best feature of that grade, such as knotty or clear grain found in the woods.

2. Demo

Firstly, take down the light fixtures, and then disassemble the beams or the trim work already in place. Secondly, the frame house which holds the ceiling works must be demolished. Last but not the least, ensure that you tape any electric wire you happen to meet on your way.

3. Map the Grid

Construct a grid for the square coffers using the room’s square size, the positions of the ceiling joists, and the presence of any fixtures. 

4. Install Drywall.

On top of this, we will install 2×4 braces between ceiling joists to prepare for drywall installation. Then, measure, assess, and cut drywall for each square shape. Secure the drywall using two-inch screws to the braces.

5. Clad coffer beams.

Now, you are ready to have the coffers designed. You start nailing Eastern White Pine 1×6 flush against the ceiling grid using a nail gun. For our case, we stacked two 1x6s together to create a higher grid. Cut holes in the flat using a jigsaw to accommodate light fittings. For the next step, trace and cut at each side of the 1×6. 

6. Add wood filler.

After that, complete nail holes with stainable wood filler and scrap any extra with a putty knife.

7. Stain Coffers and Trim

Use a paintbrush or rag to stain the wood and wipe away the excess. This quality delivers the elegance of Grain wood. Complete the process by mudding, sanding, and painting the drywall if and when the stain has dried. Install code-compliant light fixtures, and you’ll be ready to go!

What Style of Decor Works Best with Coffered Ceilings
What is a Coved Ceiling? What Style of Decor Works Best with Coffered Ceilings? 5

What Style of Decor Works Best with Coffered Ceilings?

  • Classical: The beauty of a coved ceiling harmoniously blends with the elegance and symmetry of classical decorative style. When combined with plentiful colours, traditional furniture, and crown moulding, coved ceilings create a timeless and classic experience.
  • Neoclassical: This style pulls ideas from classical styles but combines them with a simpler and more present-day look. The coved ceilings enhance the neoclassical space’s formal ambiance and retain the spotless, modern look.
  • Traditional: Coved ceilings work perfectly, as they can be used with existing interior designs to add an extra layer of architectural detail that does not compete with the already present elements. Traditional furniture with warm hues and a classic art collection add cohesion and warmth to this space.
  • Art Deco: The curved mouldings and soft colours of a coved ceiling usually offer a pleasant contrast against the bold shapes and clear colours of a typical Art Deco interior design scheme. This results in an exciting spot where the Art Deco style time is portrayed.

Why Should I Consider a Coffered Ceiling?

A coffered ceiling in a room creates a dramatic depth effect and often transmits greatness. On the other hand, they also perform a functional function. Coffers can be used as wonderful concealment. A coved ceiling’s curved lines provide a point of interest to bland walls and ceilings, giving them a sense of visual intrigue and depth that makes them feel larger than they actually are.


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