LED strip lighting housing in lounge

[CozzieG]

Hello, I'm hoping someone might be able to advise me about lighting.
We're having our lounge walls and ceiling plastered and our builder and electrician have asked what sort of lighting we'd like. I love lamps so I don't really care! My husband loves a bit of atmospheric lighting and has said he'd quite like some dimmable LED strip lighting around the edge of the wall and ceiling.

Can anyone guide me as I'm clueless!

The internet has told me I can add a Surface-mounted polymer coving/profile or a recessed plaster-in aluminium profile or a small plasterboard bulkhead or cove.

Has anyone done anything like this? I'd just like it to look nice and not cost silly money!
Thanks 😁

No. Or at least only a very qualified yes because it can look good but you need great level walls (as imperfections throw shadows which look awful) and the soft even light thrown upwards needs to be balanced with feature lighting and nice furniture/textiles.

IMHO not a first time DIY design job. I'd want an experienced designer to help here.

Thanks Kate,
Even just to say no is helpful!
What should I do if it is a no? We've not had lights for years other than lamps. We have dimmer spot lights but we never use them! I could get a funky central ceiling light, or wall lights but are they old fashioned?

I’d get a couple of beautiful wall light fittings. Then get smart bulbs so he can dim or change the colour as he chooses but the room still looks and feels like a beautiful space for you.

I am not a designer but remotely dimmable bulbs exist that can look good and allow you to play with the mood.

I have ceiling spots which I never use (except perhaps when cleaning). I personally dislike ceiling lights for normsl evening use and generally prefer table lamps or wall lamps.

I am generally seeking a warm soft cosy vibe in a living room. If it was also a dining room I'd be looking at a more zoned approach where I could turn up more focussed lighting on the dining table.

Actually AI is quite good for this. Ask it to design some ideas for you with images and you can readily see what you like and dislike

Thanks both.
I've been using AI for lots of image ideas actually so will see what it suggests for lighting. I can't see us using spotlights or a central light. I'm not really sure what wall lights are so will take a look!
We also go warm and cosy for the lounge, I hate bright lights so we'd never put "the big light" on!

We also rarely put the 'big' light on, preferring the cosiness and ambiance of lots of lamps, but it's still nice to have either an overhead light or wall lights. Otherwise, imo, the room can look rather bare.

Our current cottage had no overhead light - or wiring in place for one - in the living room. There were no wall lights either and when we viewed (deceased estate with everything still in situ), there was just one lamp in the room.

As we've made that room the kitchen we've had to add ceiling lights, but didn't want spots as we put those in our previous kitchen and hated them. Instead we chose some lovely brass pendant lights.

In the former kitchen (now a snug/book room) we've hung three very small Pooky ceiling pendant shades on coloured vintage style flex and - despite there being four or five lamps in there too - we do occasionally use one of these for task lighting.

Our style is very eclectic/maximalist and definitely not contemporary, so we'd never choose LED strip lighting, but there are loads of fabulous ceiling and wall lights in all styles out there, so I'm sure you can find something you love @CozzieG!

Thank you, I actually like a modern mid century vibe, the strip lighting wasn't my idea and I'm struggling generally to decide what I'd like. I would probably prefer a funky pendant. I'm not sold on wall lights but I probably haven't looked properly. I might look at Pooky as I've seen them recommended a couple of times Thank you x