When choosing coving, one of the first questions to ask is whether a traditional or contemporary style suits your home best. The answer often depends on the age of your property and your own design preferences.

In this guide, we’ll look at both styles, explore popular designs, and help you decide which is right for your space.

What is Traditional Coving?

Traditional coving has its roots in classical architecture, with decorative plasterwork used as far back as ancient Greece and Rome. The look developed further during the Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian eras, when ornate mouldings became a staple in many homes.

The rise of the Industrial Revolution brought coving into more middle-class houses. Families wanted grandeur, and decorative plasterwork became a way to achieve this. Larger rooms and higher ceilings in these properties meant the coving itself also needed to be bigger.

If you’re restoring or decorating a period property, traditional coving is a natural choice. On our website, you can filter designs by size (small, medium, or large) to match the proportions of your home.

What is Contemporary Coving?

Contemporary coving is a modern take on classic plaster mouldings. It’s less ornate than traditional styles, with smooth curves and clean lines that complement modern interiors.

This type of coving works well in new builds or renovated spaces where the aim is to add detail without overwhelming the room. Our Classic Plain Coving range is especially popular for this reason because it’s versatile, simple, and suits most interiors. The Swan Neck design, for example, remains a favourite because it balances elegance with restraint.

Types of Traditional Coving 

Period homes often feature specific coving profiles that reflect the style of their era. The Victorian Swan Neck was one of the most widely used patterns in Victorian homes.

It is elegant without being too fussy, which is why it remains a popular choice today in both period and modern houses. For higher ceilings, we also offer the Large Victorian Swan Neck, which has a deeper projection.

Egg and Dart coving is another recognisable choice. Strongly associated with Georgian and Victorian interiors, it brings rhythm and character to a room.

Dentil coving, with its block-like details, has origins in Greek Ionic architecture. It was a common feature in Edwardian and Victorian homes, giving a sense of structure and formality.

Ogee coving, with its gentle S-shaped curve, creates subtle shadow lines. This style was often found in Georgian and Edwardian kitchens and dining rooms, where understated detail was favoured.

Types of Contemporary Coving

Contemporary coving tends to favour simplicity. Profiles are slimmer, cleaner, and designed to fit seamlessly into modern interiors. Our Classic Plain Coving range is a good starting point if you want a timeless, understated look. These designs don’t dominate a space and work well in almost any layout.

For those looking for a more modern twist, LED coving has become increasingly popular. It frames the ceiling, provides ambient light, and adds a contemporary edge without losing the elegance of plasterwork.

What’s the Difference Between Traditional and Contemporary Coving?

Design Style

The most obvious difference lies in the detail. Traditional coving is usually more ornate and works well in heritage properties. Contemporary coving is simpler, making it better suited to modern builds and minimalist spaces.

Proportions and Scale

Scale is also an important consideration. Period homes often have taller ceilings, which suit larger, deeper coving, while modern homes typically have smaller rooms that benefit from slimmer designs to keep the proportions right.

Material and Installation

All of our coving is made from gypsum plaster, a strong and reliable material that has been used for centuries. Larger designs can be heavier and may require a professional installer. We can recommend independent fitters, but if you prefer to do it yourself, we also stock the plaster materials you’ll need.

Choosing the Right Coving for Your Home

When selecting coving, it’s worth considering the age and style of your property, the height of your ceilings, and the overall size of your rooms. If you are restoring, you may want to keep the mouldings in line with the original features of the property. If you are renovating, you have more freedom to mix styles and create a look that feels right for you.

Our plaster coving and cornice is handmade from the finest gypsum, ensuring each piece is durable and finished to a high standard. (Already mentioned this in last heading so might want to take out)

If you’d like advice on choosing the right design for your home, or to explore our full collection, you can contact us directly or browse our Traditional Coving and Contemporary Coving collections.