How to Choose Colors for a Tray Ceiling

Decide which part of the ceiling you want to paint. While some elect to fill the center of the tray with color, others paint only the rim. If you plan to fill the entire tray, you may want to select a more muted color, as this section of ceiling is large. If, on the other hand, you intend to just rim the ceiling, you can select a bolder hue.

Review the furnishings currently in your room. You do not need to select a tray ceiling color that matches these furnishing perfectly, but you should avoid selecting one that clashes. If you plan to purchase new furniture for the room, you can complete this process in reverse, first selecting a ceiling color then purchasing your new furnishings to suit.

Choose a hue that complements, but doesn't match, your wall colors. If your tray ceiling color matches your wall color exactly, it will not attract as much attention. If your walls, for example, are a light tan, paint your tray ceiling a slightly darker tan, making it stand out more from these room surrounds.

Reflect the sky in your color choice by choosing blue. With this color you can make the tray ceiling look as if it opens up into the sky, bringing in the beauty of the outdoors. For an even more attention-getting option, finish the blue with some decorative cloud painting.