Tray ceilings feature inverted or recessed sections that define a specific space within the uppermost area of a room. The design literally takes the dimensions of a room outside the box and creates more visual depth. Rome’s Sistine Chapel, with frescoes painted by Michelangelo, and the glass-domed ceiling in New York’s Plaza Hotel are two famous examples of this architectural feature. Below, we present a curated gallery of homes with tray ceilings for your design inspiration.
In order to come up with the very specific design ideas, we create most designs with the assistance of state-of-the-art AI interior design software.
1. Linear Pendant Fixture Suspended Over Dining Space
Dining area in a great room features a black table and Parson chairs with seating for eight situated over an area rug and hardwood flooring. A linear pendant light fixture hangs over the table, suspended from a tray ceiling that also has recessed and LED lights. Additionally, the space has a stone accent wall with a flat-screen TV, a kitchen area, and open access to an outdoor deck with a stone fireplace.
2. Tray Ceiling Defines Dining Area in Great Room
Great room features light hardwood flooring with a dome pendant fixture suspended from a tray ceiling directly above the dining room area. Six upholstered Parsons chairs are arranged around the wooden table, which is adjacent to an open kitchen area with a breakfast bar.
3. Tray Ceiling Features LED Strip, Recessed and Pendant Lights
Media room features marble flooring with a tray ceiling and stone accent walls. The space also includes a pool table, long leather bench and large wall-mounted flat-screen TV. The bright room is illuminated with LED strip, recessed and pendant lights.
4. Crystal Chandelier Illuminates Space
Formal living room features a crystal chandelier suspended from a deep tray ceiling. The space also includes sofas and chairs arranged on an area rug over marble flooring and facing a round coffee table and fireplace. One wall opens to an entryway while a second has French doors and windows leading outside.
5. Vintage Lamp Chandelier Lights Up Second-Floor Landing
Second-floor landing features hardwood flooring and white walls, with a tray ceiling that has recessed lights and a vintage lamp chandelier.
6. Fireplace Flanked by Built-In Cabinets
Formal living room features an upholstered sofa and chairs with coffee and side tables around an area rug set over hardwood flooring. The space also includes a tray ceiling, partition screen and a wood-burning fireplace flanked by built-in cabinets.
7. Drum Pendant Fixture Suspended From Gray Tray Ceiling
Primary bedroom features a drum pendant fixture suspended from a gray tray ceiling that has recessed lighting as well. The space also includes a queen-size bed with headboard, a large mirror mounted on the wall, carpet flooring, and two Lawson armchairs with a table and lamp under a bank of windows.
8. Transitional Dining Room Contrasts Dark and Light Colors
Transitional dining room features dark hardwood flooring and furnishings in contrast with the lighter colors used in fabric and walls. The elegant layout includes a dining table and 10 upholstered chairs set up over a geometric area rug, with a sideboard on one side of the room, and a bank of windows on the other. A linear pendant light fixture is suspended from a tray ceiling, with the perimeter edge continuing the same dark wood color scheme.
9. Tray Ceiling Creates Visual Interest in Corner Bedroom
Primary bedroom features a tray ceiling with beige carpet flooring and sliding glass doors leading to an outdoor balcony. The corner space also includes curved side tables with lamps, an abstract painting, and a flat-screen TV wall-mounted over a console table.
Living room with a bar area at one end features a cushioned sofa with a marble base, marble flooring and marble floating stairs. The space includes a couple of tray ceilings with a pendant light fixture and recessed lighting.
11. LED Lighting Shines Down on Living Room Area
Great room features a living room area with a large L-shape sectional sofa, a smaller cabriole sofa, and ottoman facing a glass-topped coffee table. A tray ceiling with LED lighting is designed directly over the living room section, distinguishing it from the rest of the space, which includes the kitchen and dining areas.
12. Home Theater Design Sticks to Dark Color Scheme
Home theater features dark walls, ceiling and flooring with a rich wood trim. The space also includes two upholstered sofas, recessed lighting and wall sconces.
Related: Types of Ceilings | Ceiling Ideas | Kitchens with Tray Ceilings | Ceiling Designs | Ceilings with Beams | Coffered Ceiling Ideas
13. Tray Ceiling Looks Skyward for Inspiration
Tray ceiling built over an indoor pool features an image of a blue sky filled with clouds. The space also includes wood and rattan chairs, as well as a wall-mounted flat-screen TV.
14. Super-Sized Sectional Faces Extra-Long Coffee Table
A sprawling great room features a super-sized L-shaped sofa with ottoman and an extra-long wooden coffee table set on an area rug over hardwood flooring. Glass windows surround the space, drawing in plenty of natural light.
15. Clerestory Windows Draw Light into Double-Height Space
Living room features a double-height tray ceiling with recessed lighting. The space also includes a leather sectional sofa with chairs and an ottoman around a glass-top coffee table set on an area rug over marble flooring. A fireplace is built into one wall with shelving, while banks of clerestory windows and glass windows on another wall let in plenty of natural light.
16. Tray Ceiling Illuminates Formal Living Room
A crystal chandelier suspended from the white tray ceiling illuminates the formal living room, which features a sectional sofa with a large glass-topped upholstered coffee table and matching ottoman set on an area rug and carpet flooring. Two sets of French doors lead to interior and exterior parts of the house.
17. Light Brown Edge surrounds White Tray Ceiling
Primary bedroom, decorated in shades of brown, beige, and white, features a king-size bed, a wood-burning fireplace, and carpet flooring. The room contrasts dark wood and lighter colors, with a light brown edge surrounding the white tray ceiling.
18. Tray Ceiling Extends Length of Large Bedroom
Large primary bedroom features a queen-size bed with an upholstered headboard and distressed side table, hardwood flooring with a large area rug, and a wood-burning fireplace. The space also includes a sofa in front of a set of windows and a tray ceiling extending the length of the room.
19. Gray Tray Ceiling Hovers Over Living Room Area
Great room features a ceiling split into three different sections, with a gray tray ceiling hovering over the living room while the dining area is white and a wood slat portion runs along one wall. The space also includes wide plank flooring, a gray sofa, a yellow wingback chair, a coffee table with two levels, and an area rug. Illumination comes from a variety of sources, including recessed lighting, floor lamps, dome pendant fixtures in the dining room, and spotlights in the wood slat ceiling. Large windows make the space even brighter, drawing in plenty of natural light.
- Designed by: InArch
20. Billiards Table Sits Front and Center in Classic Game Room
Classic game room features a billiards table sitting front and center, with dome pendant lights suspended from a wood-border tray ceiling. The space also has wall-to-wall carpeting, a leather armchair, two Bergère armchairs, a table, and wooden shelving and cabinetry. French doors and windows lead out to a deck.
21. LED Lighting Illuminates Living Room
Living room features several sofas and an ottoman facing a glass-topped coffee table on an area rug set over hardwood flooring. A flat-screen TV sits in an alcove surrounded by white cabinets. LED lighting in the tray ceiling illuminates the space.
