Coving finishes off the line where walls meet the ceiling and can change the whole feel of a room. But there are lots of names, materials and profiles to choose from. Here’s the difference between coving and cornice, the main types of coving, and how to pick one that suits your room.
Coving vs cornice
Coving is a moulding with a plain, concave curve that runs around the top of the walls where they meet the ceiling. Cornice does the same job but is more decorative, with steps, beads or patterns in its profile. You’ll mostly see cornice in Victorian, Edwardian and Georgian homes.
In practice the words are often swapped, and many shops sell decorative profiles as “coving”. What matters is the shape and the material, not the name.
Types of coving by material
| Material | Look | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Plaster (gypsum) | Crisp, clean lines | Hard-wearing, paints well, fitted with adhesive and neatly mitred at corners |
| Polystyrene | Softer detail | Cheap and light, but dents easily and can look less crisp once painted |
| Polyurethane or resin | Detailed, decorative | Light and rigid, often used for more ornate profiles |
| Fibrous plaster | Traditional period detail | Heavy, specialist work, often used to match or restore original cornice |
We fit plaster coving, which gives the sharpest finish and lasts.
Types of coving by profile
- Classic cove: a simple C-shaped curve that suits most modern rooms.
- Stepped: a series of flat steps with a sharper shadow line, popular in 1930s and contemporary homes.
- Ogee: an S-shaped curve with a more traditional look.
- Decorative or period: detailed profiles with beads, egg-and-dart or other patterns, for older homes and larger rooms.
How to choose coving for your room
- Ceiling height. The higher the ceiling, the deeper the coving can be without looking heavy. Low ceilings suit slimmer profiles.
- Room size. Small rooms usually look best with a simple, shallow cove. Big rooms can take more detail.
- The age of the house. A profile that suits the period of the house looks like it has always been there.
- The rest of the room. Match the style of the skirting, architraves and any ceiling rose.
Fitting coving
Coving needs sound walls and a sound ceiling to stick to. It’s fixed with adhesive, the corners are mitred so the profile meets cleanly, and the joints and any small gaps are filled so it looks like one continuous line. Once dry, it’s painted with the ceiling. If the ceiling is cracked or uneven, it’s often worth skimming it at the same time.
Coving fitters in Poole and Dorset
Four Four Finishes fits plaster coving in homes across Poole, Bournemouth and the rest of Dorset, often alongside ceiling plastering so the room is finished in one go. See our coving page, and we’ll help you choose a profile when we come to quote.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between coving and cornice?
Coving is a plain, curved moulding where the wall meets the ceiling. Cornice is the more decorative version, with a detailed profile, and is usually found in period homes. In everyday use many people use the two words for the same thing.
Is plaster or polystyrene coving better?
Plaster coving gives crisper lines, is harder wearing and looks better once painted. Polystyrene is cheaper and lighter but dents easily and has softer detail. For a finish that lasts, plaster is usually the better choice.
Can coving hide cracks?
Coving covers the line where the walls meet the ceiling, so it hides cracks that run along that joint. Cracks elsewhere on the ceiling or walls need repairing separately.
Can you fit coving to an uneven ceiling?
Small gaps are filled as the coving goes up. If a ceiling is very uneven, it’s often best to skim it first so the coving sits tight along its whole length.
Does coving need painting?
Yes. Once it’s fitted and the joints and gaps have been filled and have dried, plaster coving is painted along with the ceiling or walls.