Techniques for Painting Tray Ceilings

Color Schemes

• A color scheme with high value contrasts, meaning strong lights and strong darks next to each other, will pull the eye up and away from other design elements in the room. A color scheme with lower value contrasts, meaning only slight changes in the lightness and darkness of color tones next to each other, will relate to the wall color to create a subtle harmony. Painting the walls, ceiling and tray the same color, but using high gloss paint on the tray, creates an understated, yet classy effect.

Color Arrangements

• Variations on colors and the arrangement of colors for the three elements of a tray ceiling offer designers a range of choices. One approach is to paint the tray elements the wall color and the ceiling a lighter or darker tone of the wall color. The result will be a perceived lowering of the ceiling if its tone is darker than the walls, and a perceived lifting of the ceiling if its tone is lighter than the walls. A second option is to paint the horizontal and vertical elements of the tray contrasting tones and the ceiling the same color as the walls. This will draw more attention to the ceiling; however, depending on how much contrast exists between the colors, the effect may still be understated. While there are many arrangment choices, the most important design consideration is to relate the ceiling color to the wall color.

Color Washes

• Color washes are thin coats of a transparent colored glaze applied over a base coat of eggshell paint. A custom-colored glaze can be mixed by combining water-based acrylic paints with a water-based glazing compound and water. Alternating with a sponge soaked in water, the glazing compound is sponged over the base coat to create a floating surface of color. Multiple layers of color build a rich surface with remarkable depth. Color washes are particularly effective on ceilings.

Surface Painting Techniques

• In addition to color washes, surface painting techniques include rag rolling, stippling, and sponging. Each of these techniques produces subtle texture and color, particularly effective for decorative ceiling treatments. In a tray ceiling, the tray frames the decorative surface, creating an architectural focal point.

Painted patterns or murals

• A hand-painted pattern or a mural will artfully enhance a tray ceiling; however, these techniques require time and special artistic skill. When the base coat of paint is dry, a pattern is developed by using a stencil template to repeat a motif on the desired surface. Artists can use either acrylics or oil paints to create a mural over a base coat of ceiling paint. A final coat of matt varnish seals and protects the works of art. These special treatments create a one-of-a kind room that adds charm and value to the home.