Adding A Tray Ceiling

Tray ceilings have been used for hundreds of years and continue to be incorporated in homes of modern design.

Adding a tray ceiling. The project is actually quite simple. In homes most tray ceilings are square or rectangular but in other buildings you might see circular or geometric versions. Historically tray ceilings were used both for architectural design and for disguising duct work before the invention of central heating and air. Many people also apply tray ceilings simply for decorative purposes.

Tray ceilings enhance ordinary ceiling lines to create architectural interest. Now however tray ceilings most often serve as a design element. Follow these instructions to build a tray ceiling in your home. Mark the bottom edge of the tray ceiling onto all four walls by snapping a chalk line on each wall or by using a 360 degree laser level.

The center portion of the ceiling is raised about a foot or so above the edges to create a more stylish and dramatic look. In this example we ll have the tray ceiling drop one. Adding a tray ceiling to a room can create the illusion of spaciousness or give the impression that a ceiling is higher than it actually is. Tray ceilings are generally considered by homeowners to be complicated expensive and time consuming to build.