A cove either looks built-in or it looks like an afterthought, and the difference comes down to three measurements. Here they are, with the reasons behind each one. For strip choice, driver sizing and dimming, see the complete cove lighting guide for Singapore HDB — this page is only about the carpentry.
Standard cove ceiling dimensions: the quick reference
If you only need the numbers, this is the table to screenshot for your contractor. These are the standard cove light ceiling sizes that work for Singapore homes with 2.6–2.75m slab ceilings.
| Dimension | Standard size | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Cove drop (top of cove below slab) | 150–220mm | Enough throw distance for an even wash; less looks cramped, more eats headroom |
| Clear pocket depth | 60–80mm | Hides the strip and profile; shallower pockets show hotspots |
| Strip setback from the lip | 30–45mm | Keeps the source out of sightlines from a seated position |
| Output | ~12W per metre (≈1,000 lm/m) | Delivers 120–200 lux of ambient light in a typical living room |
Two caveats before you pass these to your ID. First, these dimensions assume the cove is washing the ceiling, not the wall — wall-wash coves need a different setback. Second, if your false ceiling is already low (under 2.4m finished), a full 200mm drop costs more headroom than it is worth; see our guide to lighting low ceilings before committing.
From the KAYVA range
The strip these numbers are written for
480 Pro Strip: 480 LED/m COB, 12W/m, 24V, Ra95+ with R9 above 50, 2700K held to ±100K and SDCM ≤5. The high LED density is what makes a cove read as one continuous line instead of a row of dots. 8mm PCB, fits standard aluminium channels.
1. Cove drop: how far below the slab
The goal is a soft ceiling wash with no hotspots.
- Typical HDB slab (2.6m): set the top of the cove 150–220mm below the slab. Keep to the lower end (150–180mm) if headroom matters; the trade-off is a shorter wash across the ceiling.
- Why: the beam needs throw distance to open up before it reaches the ceiling. Too close and you get a bright band instead of a wash.
- Ceiling fans: keep the cove clear of the blade radius, or the blades will chop the light and you will see it flicker.
If you are unsure, 200mm down from the ceiling is a safe default.
2. Pocket depth: the minimum for a COB strip
Clear pocket depth: 60–80mm.
That is the range that hides the source and still lets the light open up. Anything shallower and you will see the strip itself, or a hard bright line where the beam hits the ceiling. A cove that is too shallow shows:
- The source itself — a visible bright line at the lip, from most seating positions.
- Glare — you catch the strip directly in your eye when you stand up.
- A hotspot — a hard band on the ceiling instead of an even wash.
COB helps with one of these and not the others. A 480 LED/m COB strip gives you a continuous line with no visible dots even at close range, so you will not see diode grain. But it will not save a pocket that is too shallow to hide it.
Clear depth means clear — measured after the aluminium profile is in, not before. A 15mm profile inside a 70mm pocket leaves you 55mm, and you are now under spec.
3. Setback: hiding the source
Strip setback from the lip: 30–45mm.
Get depth and setback right and you see glow, never the source. Get them wrong and you see the strip itself — which is the single most common reason a cove looks cheap. Setback does more work than depth for hiding the source, so if the pocket is tight, push the strip further back first.
Use an aluminium profile inside the pocket. It keeps the line straight and helps the strip shed heat, which decides whether it still looks the same in year five.
What about shallow coves?
Sometimes the ceiling height will not give you 60mm. If you are stuck:
- Use a deep profile with an opal diffuser. It will not fix the throw distance, but it will stop you seeing the strip directly.
- Increase the setback as far as the pocket allows.
- Accept a tighter wash. A shallow cove throws a narrower band of light. It can still look deliberate — it just will not wash the whole ceiling.
What you should not do is fit a strip into a 40mm pocket and hope. You will see it, and by then the plaster is on.
Diffuser: dot-free by design
- If the strip is visible at any angle, use a deep profile with an opal diffuser.
- If the strip is fully hidden in the pocket, COB already gives you a continuous line. A cover still helps keep dust off it.
Check this before the carpentry goes up
- Measure the clear depth with the profile in place.
- Sit down in the room. Stand up. Look at the lip from both. If you can see the strip, the pocket is too shallow or the setback is too small.
- Power the strip on the bench and hold it at the intended setback before anything is fixed. Two minutes now, or a rebuilt ceiling later.
Everything after the carpentry — strip density, driver wattage, voltage drop on long runs, dimming — is in the complete cove lighting guide. Installation steps are in how to install a COB strip cove.
FAQs
What is the standard size for a cove light ceiling?
For a typical Singapore living room with a 2.6–2.75m slab: a 150–220mm cove drop (200mm is the safe default), a clear pocket depth of 60–80mm, and the strip set back 30–45mm from the lip. These three numbers cover most builds.
What are typical cove ceiling dimensions for an HDB living room?
The same standard dimensions apply — 200mm drop, 60–80mm pocket, 30–45mm setback. HDB slabs are usually 2.6m, so keep to the lower end of the drop range (150–180mm) if you want to preserve headroom. The trade-off: a smaller drop means the light throws a shorter wash across the ceiling.
How deep does a cove need to be for an LED strip?
A clear pocket depth of 60–80mm. That is enough to hide the strip, its aluminium profile and the wiring, and to stop hotspots being visible from a seated position. Going shallower saves almost nothing in build cost and is the most common reason coves end up showing dots.
How far should the cove light be from the wall?
The strip sits 30–45mm back from the lip of the cove, aimed up at the ceiling. The cove itself is normally built tight to the wall; the wash spreads from the lip across the ceiling plane.
Do I need an aluminium profile if the strip is hidden?
Recommended. It keeps the line straight and helps the strip run cooler. Remember to subtract the profile height from your pocket depth.
Can the cove be my only living-room light?
For ambience, yes. You will still want task light for reading — a floor lamp or a few downlights.
KAYVA 480 Pro Strip — 480 LED/m dotless COB, Ra95+ with R9>50, 24V, 20,000 hours at L70. Tested on every batch.