Cornices with LED Lighting -The What and How
LED lighting is fast becoming one of the most popular trends in home design and renovations. Adding light into your home in new and creative ways is opening the door to exciting modern finishes from backlit mirrors and under-vanity lighting to illuminating your ceiling with cornices specially designed to house LED strips.
At Cornice Pro, LED cornices are among our top sellers, so here’s everything you need to know about choosing the right profile, selecting the correct LED lighting, and installing it properly.
Planning Your LED Cornice
When considering LED lighting in your ceiling, there are a few key things to think about:
- Is this a new build or a renovation?
- Are there existing cornices in place?
- What is your ceiling height?
New Builds
With a new build, your options are almost endless. You’re working with a blank slate, so your main consideration is ceiling height, which will determine the size (drop) of the cornice you choose.
Once you’ve measured your drop, you can explore profiles at cornicepro.com.au.
The Popular Choices:
-
Lorikeet LED Cornice
A popular choice due to its soft curvature, which allows light to bounce upward and create a smooth, ambient ceiling glow. -
Crow Cornice
Designed to give a square set look while still incorporating an LED channel perfect if you want a modern, clean-lined finish with lighting.
If none of the standard options suit your style, Cornice Pro can customise a profile to suit your design and lighting preferences.
Renovations
Renovations require a bit more planning, but there are still excellent options available.
Option 1: Remove Existing Cornices
You can remove the existing cornices and start fresh.
Keep in mind: Removal typically costs $15–$50 per linear metre and additional repair work may be required to walls and ceilings
This option gives you full flexibility, similar to a new build.
Option 2: Retrofit Cornices (Recommended)
Retrofit cornices are designed to fit over your existing cornice think of it as a “cover” system.
This works best when:
- Existing cornices are in good condition
- They are securely fixed and not damaged
Benefits: No demolition required so your installation is much faster without demoliation cost it is a very cost-effective option with minimal mess
Popular retrofit LED options include:
- Ibis R Cornice
- Magpie Cornice
- Swift LED Cornice
- Important: Always measure your existing cornice (drop and projection) to ensure the retrofit profile will fit correctly.
Option 3: Add-On Cornices
Add-on cornices are designed specifically for homes with cove cornice (the most common style in Australia).
Instead of removing the existing cornice, an additional profile is installed underneath it, following the same line.
This creates a completely new look with minimal effort.
Options include:
- Firefly Cornice – subtle stepped design
- Lori Cornice – replicates the look of the Lorikeet LED cornice without removing the original cornice
Choosing Your LED Lights
While Cornice Pro manufactures the cornices (not the LED strips), we can guide you in selecting the right lighting.
LED strips can be purchased from most electrical suppliers quality and price will vary.
Colour Temperature Options:
Warm White (2700K – 3000K)
- Soft, warm, and inviting
- Ideal for living rooms, bedrooms, and lounges
Neutral White (3500K – 4000K)
- Clean and balanced
- Suitable for kitchens, bathrooms, and offices
RGB (Colour Changing)
- Full colour control plus white light options
- Great for feature areas, media rooms, and kids’ spaces
We recommend choosing dimmable LEDs so you can adjust brightness to suit the space.
Planning Your Installation
Before installing your cornices:
- Measure the total length of LED strip required
- Plan cable runs in advance
- Have a licensed electrician install the wiring
Installing XPS Cornices
XPS cornices are much easier to install than traditional plaster cornices.
Key Advantages:
- Up to 90% lighter than plaster
- No nails required
- Installed using adhesive (no cornice cement needed)
- Easy to cut and handle
These are the basic installation steps for all XPS cornices:
- Measure your drop and mark with a chalk line
- Apply adhesive to the cornice on the glue lines
- Position and press into place
- Remove excess adhesive with a damp sponge or cloth
- Allow 24 hours to cure
- Fill joints with gap filler
- Lightly sand once dry until it feels smooth to the touch no bumps or ridges
- Prime and paint using water-based products
Installing Around LED Cabling
When you reach the LED cable:
- Cut a small hole in the back of the cornice
- Pull the cable through into the LED channel
- Continue installation as normal
Preventing Light Bleed & Improving Finish
Inside the LED channel, there are a few options:
1. Aluminium Tape (Budget Option)
- Applied inside the channel
- Prevents light bleed
- Does not improve light diffusion
2. Aluminium Channel / Trunking
- Sits inside the cornice channel
- Prevents light bleed
- Provides a cleaner installation
3. LED Channel with Diffuser (Best Option)
- Covers the LED strip
- Prevents light bleed
- Creates smooth, even light distribution
- Reduces “dotting” effect
- Helps keep LEDs dust-free
If using high-quality LED strips with built-in diffusion, dotting is less noticeable but a diffuser channel still gives the best finish.
Final Step
Once everything is installed, have a licensed electrician connect your LED system.
From there, you can choose:
- Dimmers
- Smart controls (app/phone)
- Colour-changing systems
Installing LED lighting in cornices is easier than most people expect and is one of the most effective ways to elevate a space. Creating a space that is uniquely your own It works beautifully in Entryways, hallways, living rooms, bedrooms, outdoor covered areas – in fact it is hard to think of a space that wouldn’t benefit from well-designed lighting!
If you are ready to shop some options have a look at our LED lighting range