Popular Uses for Tray Ceilings

Decorating With Tray Ceilings

• There is a plethora of decorating uses for tray ceilings. If a room is square and dull, adding an octagonal recessed tray will make the room appear larger and more interesting. Darker walls have been a popular design element for the past several years, which can make a room seem smaller. Painting the interior of the tray a lighter color increases a sense of spaciousness. Crown molding in contrasting shades completes the picture.

Lighting Options With Tray Ceilings

• Tray ceilings offer a myriad of lighting options. For dramatic effect, drop a chandelier from an inverted tray within a recessed ceiling. The crown molding used to accent the trays also provides a track for soft rope lighting. Usually, you want to have more than one lighting effect, and tray ceilings fulfill that need. Add recessed can lighting on dimmers, or, if you have specialty painting in your tray, add miniature track lights to show it off.

Hide the Sound Source

• If you have a whole-house sound system, you can hide the speakers within your tray ceilings. This is especially effective in the master bedroom. What could be more romantic than soft lights and smooth tunes? Because tray ceilings are essentially soffits, all the wires and controls can be discreetly placed there.

Different Trays for Different Effects

• Recessed trays come in many shapes, sizes and steps. By changing the shape of the tray, you add a different dimension to your rooms. Stepped trays offer even more design options. A stunning application would be three round inverted trays and a central recessed tray, with recessed lighting and a dropped lighting fixture over a round dining room table.