How to Select a Paint Color for a Tray Ceiling

Do you have a tray ceiling in your home that needs more attention? Perhaps it just needs some color. There are several options for paint colors if you have a tray ceiling.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. There are at least 5 options of how to paint your tray ceiling.
   
   The first is to paint the vertical portion of the tray step the same as the wall color and the horizontal portion of the tray step the same as the ceiling color.
   
   The second choice is to make the entire tray step and ceiling the color of the wall.
   
   The third is to paint the entire tray step the color of the wall and make the ceiling a different color.
   
   The fourth choice is to paint the entire tray step a color different from the wall or ceiling.
   
   The fifth option is to paint the entire tray ceiling and the vertical portion of the tray step an accent color. The horizontal portion of the tray step would be the wall color. This option does not work well with crown molding.

2. Once you have decided on how to paint your tray, you need to select the color.
   
   If you select option #1, then your tray color is going to be your wall and ceiling color. Especially if you have crown molding, make sure to paint your ceiling to add more drama and to emphasize your moldings.
   
   For option #2, then your tray color is going to be your wall color. I would suggest a dramatic wall color to emphasize your unique ceiling.
   
   If you choose option #3, I would suggest a dramatic wall color.
   
   For option #4, I would suggest selecting a color that is halfway between your wall and ceiling color.
   
   If you choose option #5, I would suggest a dramatic ceiling color.

3. Don't forget your ceiling. In order to really emphasize your tray, you need a dramatic ceiling to draw your visitors' eyes up. Consider making your ceiling 2 shades darker than your tray.

Tips & Warnings

• I would suggest adding crown molding at the intersection of your ceiling and tray and at the intersection of your wall and tray if you do not already have it.

Resources

• Color Psychology

[Susang6]

on 1/29/2009 Great tips how to select complimentary colors for a tray ceiling.

[Quickstar]

on 1/26/2009 Thanks for the tips on painting.

[Butterfli]

on 11/22/2008 Informative article. Thanks! 5 colorful*