How Much Coving Do I Need? Measuring Guide with Worked Examples

Ordering coving is a five-minute job once you know the method. This guide walks through measuring any room, allowing for corners and waste, and choosing the right Decovision pack size - with two worked examples.

The method in three steps

Step 1: measure the perimeter

Measure the length of every wall at ceiling height and add them together. For a rectangular room that is simply (length + width) x 2.

Step 2: add an allowance for cuts

Add 10 percent to the perimeter for cutting waste. If your room has many corners, alcoves or a chimney breast, add 15 percent instead.

Step 3: round up to the next pack

Decovision coving ships in 2 m lengths, in packs from a single length up to 30 metres (and 50 metres in the VLS range). Round your figure up to the next pack size - a little spare is far better than one length short, and offcuts are useful for testing paint.

Worked example 1: standard living room

Room: 4.5 m x 3.6 m. Perimeter = (4.5 + 3.6) x 2 = 16.2 m. Add 10 percent = 17.8 m. Next pack size up: 20 metres (10 x 2 m lengths).

Worked example 2: L-shaped open-plan space

Walls: 6.2 + 4.0 + 2.8 + 2.5 + 3.4 + 6.5 = 25.4 m. Complex shape, so add 15 percent = 29.2 m. Next pack size up: 30 metres (16 x 2 m lengths).

Do not forget the corners

Count your corners: every internal corner (the usual kind) and external corner (around a chimney breast or boxed pipework) can be ordered as a ready-made corner set, cut at 45 degrees in the factory. Fit corners first, straights after - the joints come out cleaner and you avoid the hardest mitre cuts entirely.

Common questions

Should I order extra for mistakes?

The 10-15 percent allowance covers normal cutting waste. First-time fitters may want one spare 2 m length for peace of mind.

My room has a bay window - how do I measure it?

Measure each flat section of the bay separately and count each angle change as a corner. Shallow bay angles can be cut on site; ask us if unsure.

Do LED coving and plain coving measure differently?

No - the method is identical. For LED coving, also measure where your LED strip will run and where the driver will sit.

What if I get stuck?

Send us your room measurements through the custom order page and we calculate it for you - it is one of our standard free services.

Before you order the full room

Order a 20 cm sample of your chosen profile first. Check the scale against your ceiling, test your paint on it, then order the packs with confidence - and use code SAMPLE10 within 30 days.