Decorating Rooms 20 Tray Ceiling Ideas That Will Instantly Elevate Any Room Infuse subtle drama into any space by designing around an inverted ceiling. By Mary Cornetta Mary Cornetta Mary Cornetta has been in the professional organizing industry for over 5 years. She knew she had a passion for decluttering and organization upon graduating Marist College in 2007, however, pursued it as a hobby instead of a career. All of that changed when Mary founded Sort and Sweet Inc on Long Island in 2017. Since then, she has worked hands-on and virtually with hundreds of clients to clear their clutter and create functional systems in their homes and offices. Mary runs the Sort and Sweet social media accounts, creating content and writing captions with organizing tips and inspiration for more than 12,000 followers. Recently relocated to Savannah, she continues to own and operate the business with the help of a talented team. Mary has been a weekly contributing writer for House Digest and has been interviewed as an expert by Martha Stewart Living, Real Simple, and Health magazines. She is the owner of the blog, Organized Overall, in which she details how she creates organization in her home. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Published on March 6, 2024 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: John Bessler When designing or renovating a space, the ceiling is typically one of the last factors considered. Generally, eye-level features—like furniture choices and wall paint colors—tend to take precedence. But whether you immediately notice it or not, the ceiling can play an important role in a room's aesthetic. And tray ceilings specifically can easily elevate a space if you design them the right way. While tray ceilings (also known as inverted, panned, or recessed ceilings) are not as bold as, say vaulted ceilings, they can be an equally striking design choice. You don't need to have existing recesses to add a tray ceiling to your space: You can install a tray ceiling to any room that has a minimum ceiling height of eight feet, so that it doesn’t cause the room to feel smaller than it is. Whether you're adding the architectural feature or designing around existing tray ceilings, this home element is an opportunity to get creative. Paint, wallpaper, and paneling are all easy ways to infuse pattern, color, and drama into a space with a statement ceiling. To inspire your next home project, we're sharing our favorite tray ceiling ideas. 10 Types of Ceilings to Know for Your Home Renovation 01 of 20 Shiplap Tray Ceiling Michael Partenio A traditionally styled breakfast nook with a built-in banquette gets a distinctive decor detail thanks to this wooden shiplap tray ceiling. The wood contrasts the light palette of this simple space but also coordinates perfectly with the table, chairs, and framed artwork on the wall just below it. 20 Wood Ceiling Ideas That Add Rustic Charm 02 of 20 Coastal Style Tray Ceiling Julie Soefer If you love the idea of including a bright color in a room but aren't sold on covering the walls with it, limit it to the recessed part of the ceiling. This Palm Beach-style bedroom includes plenty of green accents to go along with its tropical theme and brightly-colored ceiling. To tie the space together, choose furniture, bedding, an area rug, or artwork that matches the ceiling color while keeping the rest of the room light and bright. 9 Coastal Bedroom Ideas to Inspire Your Next Room Refresh 03 of 20 Wallpapered Tray Ceiling James Nathan Schroder This eclectic yet elegant living space is full of bold colors and mixed textures, so it's fitting that the statement ceiling design will make guests do a double take. The floral Chinoiserie wallpaper and glossy black painted rim that line the highest point of the ceiling perfectly match the other jewel-toned and black accents throughout the room. 8 Designer-Approved Ways to Try the Wallpaper Ceiling Trend 04 of 20 Entryway Tray Ceiling Ideas Annie Schlechter Another example of a subtle accent ceiling design, this gilded tray ceiling welcomes visitors as soon as they enter the foyer. The double door entrance, extensive crown molding, and midcentury modern globe light fixture add to the understated, yet exquisite, home style. 20 Entryway Decorating Ideas to Greet Guests in Style 05 of 20 Circular Tray Ceiling Emily Minton-Redfield Create the ultimate wow factor in a small dining area by pairing a round, deep recessed ceiling with adjoining walls painted in a bright jewel tone. Here, a statement light fixture, circular acrylic seating, and a circular floor tile design mimic the tray shape and contribute to this unique space. 10 Dining Room Lighting Ideas 06 of 20 Subtle Tray Ceiling Julie Soefer When decorating a space with a bold wall design, keep the tray ceiling a plain white paint color. It will allow the remainder of the space to take center stage. Botanical wallpaper combined with a wood panel accent and vintage mirror are the real stars of the show in this dining room. The recessed ceiling provides a grounding foundation, as well as a place for a pair of classic lampshade chandeliers. The 8 Best Wallpapers of 2024 to Add Visual Flair to Any Room, According to Our Testing 07 of 20 Tray Ceiling Focal Point Amy Mazzenga If you’re only able to carve out a small area to invert the ceiling, make it stand out. This tray ceiling revolves around an Art Deco-style light fixture in this home’s hallway. The floor tiles directly below match the theme while the rest of the space boasts a mixture of styles to keep guests guessing as they pass through. 08 of 20 Dining Room Tray Ceiling Julie Soefer This all-white tray ceiling features delicate crown molding around the sides and a slightly more elevated oval in the center. By placing the dining room table directly under it and hanging a crystal chandelier from the middle, guests will feel like royalty during your next dinner party. 35 Formal Dining Room Ideas That Deliver Drama and Elegance 09 of 20 Color-Drenched Tray Ceiling Julie Soefer If you’ve ever seen a kitchen countertop seamlessly blend with the backsplash, you’re aware of its clean, waterfall effect. You can achieve a similar look in any other room by creating a flow from the walls to the ceiling. Here, the delightful robin egg blue walls become one with the recessed ceiling, creating a color-drenched effect. Color Drenching Is the All-in Paint Trend to Try for a Soothing Space 10 of 20 Intricate Tray Ceiling Details John Bessler A subtle recess, this kitchen’s tray ceiling is still a sight to behold. The details in the molding are delicate and mimic some of the trim in the various archways throughout the space. The contemporary light fixture that hangs from the ceiling gives an updated twist to this Mediterranean-inspired decor. 11 of 20 Farmhouse Tray Ceiling Stacy Zarin Goldberg Like the tray ceiling trend, farmhouse style seems to be here to stay. Combine the two by installing a recessed ceiling in your dining room that’s made of shiplap wood. The light to medium brown tones complement the blue-gray walls and dining chairs, plus the light, distressed wood furniture. A rustic lantern light suspended from the ceiling is the perfect touch to complete the decor. 16 Modern Farmhouse Interiors That Showcase the Style Flawlessly 12 of 20 Painted Tray Ceiling Julie Soefer This oversized family room is impressive as is but the Roman shades, formal white trim molding, and beaded chandelier truly give it a grand feel. Painting the entire tray ceiling a pastel blue and including kid-friendly furniture, however, makes the space one that the entire family can enjoy. 9 Ceiling Paint Colors Designers Love That Aren’t White 13 of 20 Bathroom Tray Ceiling Ideas Jessica Klewicki Glynn Bathrooms are often neglected when it comes to ceiling accents because the attention typically goes toward its functionality rather than aesthetics. But there’s no reason not to add a bit of flair to your private oasis, if you have the space for it. Keep it simple with an all-white ceiling adorned with a small recess and luxurious chandelier. 20 Stunning Bathroom Ceiling Ideas for Every Space and Style 14 of 20 Bedroom Tray Ceiling Design Jean Allsopp Whether in a primary bedroom or a spare one used to host guests, a tray ceiling can take the space from bland to utterly sophisticated. For an understated look, paint the bedroom a cool gray neutral color and include traditional furniture to maintain a timeless look. 15 of 20 Sitting Room Tray Ceiling John Bessler A large sitting room is wonderful to have when company comes over, but it can pose a design challenge in terms of creating a cozy and inviting space. Multiple tiers of molding give this ceiling the illusion of a taller space, especially when painted all the same color. 37 Living Room Ceiling Ideas to Transform Your Home 16 of 20 Elongated Tray Ceiling John Bessler This elongated room with its equally long tray ceiling is fancy enough as is. The ceilings are high and the recess is slight but effective in making the living space appear palatial. Adding a medallion to the center and hanging a vintage chandelier from it elevates the formal room even more. How to Install a Ceiling Medallion 17 of 20 Metallic Tray Ceiling Richard Leo Johnson Cook up a little something fun in your kitchen design by mixing and matching a variety of styles. This gray kitchen with traditional cabinetry gets a pop of color thanks to bright orange backsplash tiles and a hint of glam due to the dual glass-blown chandeliers. To finish the look, the faux tin tray ceiling brings in an industrial element. 18 of 20 Venetian Plaster Tray Ceiling Fran Brennan Your dining room can channel the Renaissance era with the simple use of Venetian plaster on its walls and ceiling. This design choice creates a marbled appearance throughout the space. Add to it an understated tray ceiling with a sizable, elaborate chandelier and you have yourself a room your neighbors will envy. 19 of 20 Formal Bedroom Ceiling Werner Straube Use a tray ceiling to create the bedroom of your dreams. Design one as high as your foundation will allow to elevate the room as much as possible, then use your furniture to match the mood. Here, a four-poster bed, oversized upholstered bench, and stunning chandelier are the ideal additions to a formal space. 20 of 20 Maximalist Tray Ceiling Anthony Masterson This maximalist dining room features a little bit of everything in terms of colors, patterns, and design styles. A solid wood tray ceiling balances out the space while still contributing to its eccentricity. Try Layerism to Get a Personalized, Maximalist Home Aesthetic Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit