A tray ceiling is a rectangular architectural feature that is either inverted or recessed. Tray ceilings can be plain, ornate, subtle or dramatic. Lighting is commonly featured in a tray ceiling and these ceilings are often found in dining rooms, hallways and living rooms.

The basic purpose of a tray ceiling is to break up an ordinary flat ceiling line and add a variation in height to create architectural interest. A feeling of spaciousness can be created by the look of the different levels and a tray ceiling can make a low ceiling look higher. Inverted tray ceilings that have the extra level hanging downward rather than recessed, can call attention to an object such as a range hood or a pot rack.

For example, a small plain kitchen can be made more interesting by creating an inverted tray ceiling pot rack as a focal point. The pot rack area could be painted or finished to match the ceiling or it could be in a completely different color and/or material to really stand out. Tray ceilings, whether inverted or recessed, often have molding trim around them.

Crown molding around a large tray ceiling in a dining or living room can be a dramatic and beautiful feature. The style is adaptable to anything from contemporary to traditional depending on the type of lighting used in the space. Everything from a chandelier to a series of pendant lamps can be added to a tray ceiling. Some tray ceilings are octagonal rather than rectangular.

Paint color can really enhance a tray ceiling. For instance, a recessed tray ceiling can be painted a few shades darker than the main ceiling color to make it appear even more recessed and to give a stronger contrast to the look. Or, for almost a skylight type of look, a deeply recessed tray ceiling can be painted a light color such as pale blue. Some people even paint murals in the recessed or inverted part of a tray ceiling. Inverted tray ceilings are also excellent for displaying an interesting wood or metal surface as well as recessed lighting.