Making Tray Ceilings

Create a notch in the roof trusses while your home is under construction to create a tray ceiling. For an existing home with the ceiling in place, construct a box frame with wood or metal studs around the ceiling’s periphery. Fasten the studs to the ceiling joists with a screw gun, attach drywall to the frame and tape it in place. If you are adding lighting, have a licensed electrician draw the necessary lines and install outlets.

Research crown-molding styles. Select a style that blends with the room’s interior decoration. To determine how much molding to buy, measure the tray ceiling’s perimeter and adding approximately 10 percent accounts for waste. Attach the crown molding at the lower level with a continuous one-quarter inch bead of construction adhesive on the top and bottom.

Painting the tray ceiling with tone-on-tone colors enhances the dimensional effect. Light blue on the highest part of the ceiling provides an illusion of open sky. Add recessed lighting, a mural, a skylight or rope lighting for effect. Targeted track lighting in the tray ceiling can highlight an artwork or provide lighting for a reading area below. Placing a large chandelier in the tray ceiling’s center draws the eye upward.