How to Add a Tray Ceiling in Our Master Bath

Measure the bath dimensions to design the attic trusses. Ask an expert carpenter to help figure out any special needs for the space. Go into the attic to look for electrical wiring, heat ducts or plumbing that you'll need to reroute, for example.

Purchase pre-made trusses -- which will each support the upside-down tray shape of the new ceiling -- from a lumber yard. Design the trusses with experts, so each individual truss has sloping sides that will form a soffit area surrounding all four sides of the "tray." This soffit space should be approximately 15 to 18 inches wide with recessed lighting around it.

Cover the shower, vanity and toilet with heavy drop cloths to protect the fixtures. Lay a drop cloth over the floor to prevent damage to the tile or other flooring. Take down any mirrors that are not glued to the walls to prevent glass breakage during construction.

Rent scaffolding to reach the ceiling areas. Remove the drywall on the bathroom ceiling with a pry bar. Score the seam along the walls and ceiling with a drywall knife to avoid damaging the walls. Wear a respirator to avoid breathing drywall dust.

Plan to install the trusses on 16-inch centers across the bath ceiling to replace the ceiling rafters. Purchase plywood to create a smooth interior for the tray shape, if you desire, before adding drywall.

Cut the ceiling joists out of the way, one by one, with a circular saw. Call in expert carpenters to do the work, because miscalculations in joists can cause your roof framing to collapse. Bring new trusses into the bath or attic space by removing a large window or part of a wall, if necessary. Bolt each truss to the attic rafters and framework. Drill holes in the truss and house rafters to pass bolts through to connect the framing, but use galvanized steel gusset plates to screw the framing together as well.

Run electrical wiring to sections of the tray ceiling that will hold light fixtures or recessed lighting. Perform this step before adding drywall.

Nail drywall over the upside-down tray framework to form a smooth surface. Build a strong drywall surface by using 1 1/2-inch ring shank nails every 7 inches. Cut holes for any recessed lighting components with a hole saw. Smooth joint compound over taped drywall seams, allow them to dry, then sand the seams smooth. Repeat this process at least three times, until the tray ceiling looks smooth from any point in the bathroom.

Paint the tray ceiling one or more colors, depending on the design you select. Install crown molding for more visual interest, if you like.

Climb into the attic space to insulate the top of the tray ceiling. Cut fiberglass roll insulation to fit between trusses and to cover the sloping sides of the tray shape as well. Don't risk walking on the tray framework. Push the insulation into place with a long pole after the electrical wiring has been connected.