Rules of thumb for edge lighting niches and coves with linear LED lighting. In all cases make sure you tuck the light source out of sight.

aspiring everything. architect. building /buildings. icbk.me/huugo.fc

Founder of @trustmebroshow podcast 🎙️

It could be on the top but putting it on the side has several pros:
1) the led strip is more hidden and less likely to be seen
2) you get more reflected light bouncing off the back of the niche which is generally softer and more pleasant
3) grazing light (straight down) picks up every imperfection in the surface. Very cool if you have an old stone wall but not cool if your drywall looks like crap :)