Cove lighting has not only made its way to people’s hearts, but also to every possible interior design style you can imagine. Versatile, it shines (pun intended) in every type of Singaporean housing. Before we begin looking at various cove lighting designs, allow us to introduce you what exactly cove lighting is.

Ever seen homes that are well-lit with a cosy and welcoming atmosphere, but you don’t seem to see the actual light bulb? You are most likely experiencing cove lighting!

Cove lighting refers to lights indirectly built on false ceilings or ledges, where the light is directed towards the ceiling, and then reflected on adjacent walls. This creates a luminous soft glow on the adjacent surfaces, rather than a harsh direct lighting straight from the bulb.

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Modern Luxury

The homeowner of this modern luxury two-bedder condominium uses cove lighting generously throughout the space — vertically along the display shelves and walls, as well as the ceiling. The common use of single-bar lights throughout the space unifies the entire theme of the room, where the amount of light is still not too overpowering for the eyes.

The thoughtful decision to extend the false ceiling halfway through the living room allows the cove light to add a subtle warm glow without being too overpowering. This complements the statement twist pendant lamp hanging above the dining table beautifully. Even in the day, the cove lighting still exudes the idea of modern luxury perfectly.

If you are going for the halo effect, you can consider using curved cove lighting instead. This brings movement to the room, adding a fresh touch to a room with many straight lines.

This modern luxury five-bedder condo utilises cove lighting in both the ceiling and vertical walls. When done incorrectly, this theme may appear uninviting and cold. By using curve cove lighting, we can achieve a warmth and inviting mood even in the most luxurious houses. The vertical cove lighting at the sides of the centre wall creates an illusion that the wall is floating, making for an interesting focal point that draws the viewer’s eyes to the slab of stone.

Instead of bringing cohesion to a living space, cove lighting can be used as a contrasting element to a modern luxury home.

This modern luxury HDB features mostly black and white furniture, where the yellow cove lights add a splash of warmth and colour to the monochromatic theme. You may opt for lights that can be customised in colour, where you would be able to select the colour based on the effect you wish to create.

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Contemporary

It is good to limit the usage of direct lights within a contemporary household as it does not go well with the cosy and welcoming vibe this style is all about. The ceiling of this four-room condominium is illuminated by twin-bar cove lights, which makes the entire living room feel longer. The white glow adds elegance to the overall interior, also making the ceiling appear taller.

Besides a twin-bar cove lighting, you can also choose to use a cove light for all four sides of the room’s ceiling. This contemporary single-bedder condominium uses mainly cove lighting for the living room.

As you enter the living room, you become enveloped in the radiant white glow coming from both the cove lighting hidden in the ceiling, and recessed ceiling light fixtures. The lights make the living room appear more open and larger.

The cove lighting extends to the area before the balcony. You can also consider using lights within storage areas, such as this bicycle-loving homeowner.

You can still use cove lighting if you have a smaller living room. By using a single-bar cove light, you can illuminate the whole room without making it appear cramped. As only a single side of the room is lit up by the indirect lighting, it can also have the effect of creating a focal point.

By using cove lighting above the accent wall, the homeowner uses the magic of light and shadow to draw attention to the decorations and television console featured on the wall.

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Industrial

We typically do not see fancy lighting in industrial homes, as industrial style homes usually focus on the “rawness” of materials and concrete finishing. However, this executive maisonette HDB uses blue cove lighting for the ceiling of the living room. The cool blue light gives a sense of freedom and openness, making the entire room appear futuristic.

During family gatherings, you can turn on the warm recessed lights to soften the ambience and balance the coolness of the blue lights.

If you prefer warmer lights, yellow-toned cove lighting is also suitable for industrial style homes.

The homeowner opted for a grayscale monochrome interior, where the single-bar yellow cove light softens the ruggedness of the industrial theme. Industrial homes may give off an uninviting vibe as all furniture and fittings are cool-toned. With the right lighting, we can transform the ambience of even the coldest of industrial styles to a warm and safe haven.

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Muji

Inspired by the brand aesthetic and functionality of Japanese retailer Muji, this popular style of interior design is a warm and woody blend of minimalism and simplicity. Yellow cove lighting can enhance and further bring out the natural warmth and textures of wooden furniture.

The dispersion of the cove light creates a cosy atmosphere, which matches the Muji theme.

Single-bar cove lighting is useful for spaces that allow limited false ceiling, due to other fixtures such as full-length built-in carpentry. In this muji-themed living room, storage is built on one side of the space, and the single-bar light is cleverly used on the other side of the ceiling, giving the room a warm light despite the false ceiling limitations.

Besides the living room, you can also integrate cove lighting to highlight your wardrobe. The cove light makes the cramped space between the bed and the wardrobe appear bigger, and much warmer with the soft diffused light.

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Scandinavian

Do you know what cove lighting goes well with Scandinavian style homes? White cove lighting! As the colour palette Scandinavian homes follow tend to be more earthy and neutral, it is a better choice to choose white lighting.

White cove lighting goes well with any colour palettes and makes the overall ambience coherent.

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Eclectic

Eclectic interior design is a creative blend of elements from other interior design styles, so tastefully and cleverly done that it does not look messy or cluttered. This style of interior design may seem complicated to pull off, and hence is so uncommon that most of us have not heard of this theme.

By using cove lighting across the entire living space, it unifies the blend of design styles. The mirror also reflects the cove lights, making the house feel spacious and well-lit.

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Modern

Ceilings may usually feel out of place in a home, compared to the walls that can be decorated with ornaments or features. The magic of cove lighting adds sophistication and dimension to what would have otherwise been an awkwardly plain ceiling. This living room of an executive maisonette has a beautiful wash of brown tones, underscored with white shelves and accessories, all beautifully tied together with the white ceiling accented with the warm cove lights.

The entrance of this jumbo five-room HDB transforms into an art gallery that features the homeowner’s bicycles as though it were art—an interesting effect of the twin-bar cove lighting along the length of the ceiling!

The homeowners use LED strip lighting at the point where the cove light ends, enveloping this entire space with warm light. This LED strip extends continuously from the ceiling to the wall, bringing a tinge of modern character to the warm Scandinavian ambience.

The colour choice of the cove lighting is also well-thought out. Without the warm lighting, the whole space may not look as cohesive, where the brick wall will be truer to its original beige colour while the floor remains a bright and harsh white.

Cove lighting can also be a great addition to modern monochrome themes! In monochromatic homes, it is always recommended to exclusively feature black and white furniture. However, it is always good to have a warm ambience when inviting guests over. The versatility of this yellow cove light adds a splash of warmth without changing the theme too drastically.

Want a full monochrome environment again? No problem! You can adjust the multicolour cove lighting strips to suit the ambience you are going for.

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Ready to elevate your Singaporean home with cove lighting?

Submit your renovation details today at https://www.ezid.sg/request-a-quote and we can match you to reliable interior designers who know the secrets to maximise the aesthetics of your new home with the help of cove lighting. Our service is absolutely free and comes with no obligations. We’ve matched over 34,000 Singaporeans, we are hoping you can be the next!