Lighting Profiles

Most types of cornices are installed with the purpose of softening the joint between wall and ceiling and adding decorative interest. However, in recent years, uplighting cornice has become extremely popular, as an alternative or additional means of lighting a room. Fitted low-energy LED lights are placed into the trough to provide directional upward lighting onto and across the ceiling, creating a truly unique effect and a lovely ambient mood in a room. Alternatively, some profiles can also be reversed to provide a downward lighting effect to highlight aspects of a wall or feature.

Create mood lighting with uplighter cornices

With an ‘open’ top, the uplighter cornice is fixed to the wall approximately 15-20cms from the ceiling with LED bars or tape fitted inside along the length of the cornice. The effect of this is to give a soft ‘mood’ lighting effect that washes the ceiling with atmospheric light and takes away the potential harshness of an individual hanging pendant light. It is a very clever way of providing additional warmth into a room without being overly dramatic. Alternatively, the cornice can sometimes be inverted and used as a downlighter, maybe to highlight a feature wall or picture.

Styles of cornice for uplighting

There are many sizes and profiles of uplighting cornice to suit differing room sizes and ceiling heights, from traditional Victorian cornice to match an older period property, to more modern and contemporary designs that will suit buildings undergoing a modern restoration. Again, cornice profile sizes can range from just a few centimetres in height and projection, to those which are some 30cm in height and look terrific in a hotel lobby or restaurant.

How to install uplighters securely

It should be noted that only cornice specifically designed for use as an uplighter should be used since these have been purpose-designed with a double fixing point to the wall and mounting lugs to hold the lighting. Normal coving or cornice patterns are not suitable for use as up-lighters. (Standard cornice is normally attached on the top edge to the ceiling and on the back edge to the wall. Trying to fix it by just the single wall mounting point will not give sufficient hold to prevent the cornice from pulling away.)

Similarly, an uplighting cornice or trough should be made in a material that is as light as possible, such as hardened high-density polyurethane. Hanging a heavy run of plaster projecting from a wall is quite risky, as the natural inclination will be for gravity to pull it out and down. A large amount of mechanical fixing (e.g. screws) would be needed to fully secure the run. This is can be a time-consuming process, whereas lighter materials will only require adhesive and minimal fixings.

Of course, there is no reason why these cornice profiles cannot also be used in the traditional sense (without lighting) and fitted up to the ceiling.

More advice on uplighting and cornice

If you need any further advice we are more than happy to discuss your requirements with you – please call us on 020 8660 2854.

Flexible versions of this cornice range also available (for curved walls/bay windows etc) – look for the FLEX symbol

Finished with a quality undercoat primer ready for painting

Made from the toughest, lightest, non-breakable material (hardened, high-density polyurethane) that is superior to any other material, incl plaster

Prices quoted are per 2m length (all measurements quoted are metric) excl VAT

“H” = Height (i.e drop down wall), “P” = Projection out from the wall (all in cm’s)

See our Accessories section for correct adhesives and tools to achieve the best installation

Delivery is normally made within 2-3 working days. Carriage charges for UK mainland orders are £20 + VAT. Rates outside of mainland UK will need to be calculated based on consignment volume.

Please make sure you order enough to cover wastage. See our FAQs covering this.

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