Lighting guide

False Ceiling Lighting Guide: COB vs Panel vs Strip Lights

By S.A Traders, Golconda · Updated 31 October 2026

A good false ceiling uses layers of light: an even general light, a few focused spots, and a soft glow from a cove. Here is how panel lights, COB spots and LED strips compare, and how to plan them before the POP or gypsum work starts.

Panel lights: the main light

Slim LED panel lights give even, shadow-free light across the room. They are the workhorse of most false ceilings.

• Size: 12W–15W round or square panels for living rooms and bedrooms; 6W–9W for passages and bathrooms
• Spacing: roughly 4–6 ft apart and about 2 ft from the walls
• Check the cut-out size on the box before the carpenter or POP worker cuts the holes

COB spots: focus and style

COB lights and spot lights make a strong, focused beam. Use them to light a wall, a TV unit, a painting, a kitchen counter or products on a showroom shelf.

• Narrow beams (15°–24°) highlight one object; wider beams (36°–60°) light an area
• Deep-set, anti-glare COBs are more comfortable above sofas and beds
• Adjustable or gimbal spots can be tilted toward a wall
• Track and magnetic track lights let you move or add spots later

Strip and profile lights: the cove glow

An LED strip hidden in the cove of the false ceiling throws a soft glow onto the ceiling. Put inside an aluminium LED profile with a diffuser, it becomes a clean line of light for ceilings, walls, wardrobes and kitchens.

• Use 12V or 24V strips with a matching LED driver; 24V is better for long runs
• Size the driver about 20% above the strip's total watts
• COB (dotless) strips or a milky diffuser avoid visible dots
• Add a dimmer, colour controller or sensor if you want mood or automatic lighting

COB vs panel vs strip at a glance

• Panel: even general light, low cost, easy to install; can look plain on its own
• COB: dramatic, focused, premium look; needs more fittings to light a whole room
• Strip / profile: soft indirect glow and modern lines; needs a driver and careful installation

Most homes use all three: panels for everyday light, a few COBs for focus, and a cove strip for the evening.

Choosing the colour

Keep one colour temperature per room so lights match. Warm white (3000K) suits bedrooms and living rooms, neutral white (4000K) suits kitchens and offices, and cool white (6500K) suits shops. Tunable-white strips and some panels can change between warm and cool.

Plan before the ceiling is closed

• Mark every light point, switch and driver location on the drawing
• Leave access for drivers so they can be replaced later
• Buy all lights for one room in the same series so the colour matches
• Send us the drawing or room sizes on WhatsApp and we'll help with the list