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13 Tray Ceiling Ideas to Level Up Any Room Aesthetic

When it comes to adding character to your house, look up! Do any of your rooms have a tray ceiling?

A tray ceiling—also known as a recessed ceiling or inverted ceiling—literally looks like an upside-down rectangular tray. Defined by a drop-down center ledge that is anywhere from several inches to several feet higher than the perimeter of the room, a tray ceiling is an architectural masterpiece that looks alluring and gives the illusion of higher ceilings.

Some may argue that tray ceilings are outdated. Not the case! When it comes to tray ceiling ideas to refresh the aesthetic, the sky's the limit. From fun lighting fixtures to eye-catching tin tiles, here are 5 updates to make your tray ceiling a *top* feature in your home. 

 

Close up of tray ceiling with fan.

1. Play Up Dimension with Paint

Adding a splash of color to a tray ceiling is an easy and impactful way to draw attention to a tray ceiling. You can leave the drop-down ledge sides alone and paint just the tray (the flat surface of the ceiling) in a dark shade to define the shape and add a cozy feel . . . or a light color like white or cream to let the architectural details speak for themselves. Another angle: paint just the 3D border for a layered pop!

 

Kitchen with tray ceiling and tin tile above the bar.

2. Upgrade Flat Tray Texture with Tin Tile

Our favorite choice for tray ceiling ideas: tin tile goes the extra mile when installed on the highest, flat tray portion of an inverted ceiling. Tin tile adds color, shine, and embossed pattern to a bare space . . . accentuating the historical character of a tray ceiling, while also modernizing it. With contemporary to old-world styles, American Tin Ceiling tiles are a natural fit for all tray ceilings.

What Would a Tin Tile Ceiling Look Like In Your Space? Try Our Visualizer Tool

3. Crown Molding

Enhance the edges of the tray with decorative crown molding for a classic touch. Consider using something extra ornate to up your drama like a tin molding with lots of texture and details. 
Spacious bedroom with dramatic tray ceiling and lighting.

4. Illuminate the Ledge Shape with Lighting

Light up the sky-high feel of your tray ceilings with (you guessed it) lighting fixtures. Try anything from cove lighting to LED rope lighting around the border of a tray ceiling ledge to add a soft romantic glow—or draw the eye up to the sunken ceiling and then down to a dazzling pendant light hanging in the middle. Whether streamlined or extravagant, lighting illuminates the beautiful depth of any tray ceiling.

 

Cozy living room with multiple tray ceilings similar to a large scale coffered ceiling.

5. Build Up Rustic Appeal with Wood

Who said wood is only for floors? The addition of real or faux wood beams or planks to a tray ceiling will add rustic-refined warmth to any bedroom or living room (and not just in cabins!). For a contemporary-coastal aesthetic, try shiplap for textured interest. Or if you want an industrial-mod feel, use a full wood panel in the tray, and accent with exposed metal beams over the top.

 

Tray ceiling in a large space with wallpaper in the tray.

6. Uphold Vintage Style with Wallpaper

Yes, granny-chic style is a cool trend for young and old alike. This aesthetic includes peel-and-stick or traditional wallpaper coming back into homes. If you have a tray ceiling, why not wallpaper the flat tray surface to add a retro-mod pop? From metallic-textured to vintage-chic florals, there’s a wallpaper pattern fit for any room’s personality. Bonus points for adding an antique chandelier drop in the middle!

7. Go Metallic

Finish the tray ceiling in metallic paint or leafing for a glamorous, reflective surface. Tin tile is an excellent choice with metal options ranging from nickel to copper and bronze to gold.

 

8. Play with Shape

Most tray ceilings are square or rectangular. Get outside the norm and add some shape to your tray ceiling. Hexagons or octagons are a great choice to add some interesting angles.

9. Add a Medallion

Place a decorative ceiling medallion in the center of a tray ceiling, especially if there’s a chandelier or pendant light you can highlight. The extra detailing will take your tray ceiling from architectural feature to the star of the room.

 

Looking straight up at a white tray ceiling with decorative medallions.

10. Reflect with Mirrors

Add mirrored panels to the tray for a reflective and spacious effect. It's a design that draws additional attention to an already unique ceiling design.

11. Stencil Decor

Use stencils to paint intricate designs or patterns on the recessed area for a customized look. Alternatively, you could stencil the vertical sides of the tray for understated drama.

 

Large kitchen with triple tray ceiling with colored lighting in peachy orange in each.

12. Feature a Mural

Paint or install a sky-themed mural for a whimsical and open feel. You could commission a landscape painting or use wallpaper for the same effect. A mural of a cloud-strewn blue sky or starry night sky are popular choices for a tray ceiling.

 

Spacious bedroom with oval tray ceiling with crown molding and lighting.

 

13. Upholster the Tray

As an alternative to wallpaper, fabrics can add some touchable texture for a softer approach. The choices run from French toile to subtle patterns. Even bolder patterns and colors make a good addition to the tray ceiling.

 

No matter the shape or size of a room, recessed ceilings provide a 3D depth and style that makes a focal statement. Take advantage of this feature’s natural beauty—and add a few enhancements to make it your own. 

Whether from this list above or different designs you have in mind, there are countless tray ceiling ideas worth trying. And don’t forget to consider tin tile ceilings as a stunning option, too.

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