Molding and indirect lighting enhance tray ceilings.
Tray ceilings add architectural interest to rooms with high ceilings. Embellishments like indirect lighting, special paintings and molding can add to the effect. While it is possible to create the appearance of a tray ceiling by installing crown molding a couple of feet below the ceiling line and accenting it with rope lighting, a true tray ceiling features horizontal ceiling surfaces at different levels. Make sure to find out about local building code requirements, and contract a professional electrician or carpenter when necessary.
Instructions
1. Determine the type of tray ceiling you want by leafing through home decorating magazines and speaking to experienced professionals. You can choose to construct the recess in the shape of a rectangle or an octagon, and some spaces can accommodate multiple levels for added dimensions. If your home is under construction, ask the builder to make a notch in the roof trusses to create the tray ceiling. If the ceiling abuts an attic crawl space, you can recess the tray ceiling into the attic space.
2. Construct a box frame around the periphery of the ceiling to build a tray ceiling in an existing flat ceiling. Use wood or metal studs and fasten them to the ceiling joists with a screw gun, since a hammer may crack the drywall. Attach drywall to the frame and tape. Take the height of windows and doors into consideration when determining the depth of the tray ceiling recess.
3. Add embellishments to the tray ceiling, such as tone-on-tone painting or . For high visual impact, paint the recess sky blue to give the appearance of open sky. Some tray ceilings feature murals or textured materials such as tiles, plaster or wood. Skylights and ceiling fans are other options for a tray ceiling recess.
4. Select the type of lighting you want in your tray ceiling. For a formal room, an elaborate chandelier can contribute to the formal decoration. Rope lighting is a popular option that provides indirect lighting by laying a flexible tube with tiny strung lights behind the crown molding. Recessed "can" lights can highlight a specific area in the room, such as hung artwork, a fireplace or a dining room table. Track lighting, pendant lighting and ceiling fan lights also serve tray ceilings.
Tags: tray ceiling, crown molding, indirect lighting, ceiling recess, tray