Tray Ceiling Lighting Concepts
A tray ceiling is an architectural feature that adds elegance, dimension, and visual interest to any room. The recessed or coffered center creates the perfect opportunity to incorporate creative lighting ideas and transform the look and feel of your space.
From pendant clusters to recessed spotlights, tray ceilings provide the ideal canvas to illuminate your home in style. Read on for gorgeous tray ceiling lighting inspiration to elevate your decor.
Benefits of Tray Ceiling Lighting
Beyond aesthetics, installing a tray ceiling lighting provides many advantages:
- Creates an open, airy feel - By drawing the eyes up, tray ceilings make rooms feel more expansive and spacious.
- Allows for unique lighting fixtures - From intricate crystal chandeliers to modern pendant lights, a tray ceiling provides the perfect opportunity to incorporate one-of-a-kind lighting.
- Makes rooms appear larger and taller - The added height in the center of the room gives the illusion of a larger, grander space.
- Provides a decorative accent - Tray ceilings add architectural detail and visual interest, taking your lighting from boring to beautiful.
- Conceals HVAC systems and wiring - Tray ceilings can discretely hide ventilation, pipes, cables and other unsightly mechanicals.
Tray Ceiling Lighting Styles
When designing your custom tray ceiling lighting, consider the overall style of the space. The fixtures you choose should coordinate with your interior decor seamlessly. Popular tray ceiling lighting aesthetics include:
Modern and Contemporary
For a sleek, contemporary scheme, opt for minimalist fixtures like:
- Linear pendant lights
- Recessed LED lighting strips
- Single, oversized statement pendant fixtures
- Spotlights to accent architectural details
Transitional
This versatile style bridges traditional and contemporary. Lighting options may include:
- Drum pendants in polished metal, glass or fabric
- Classic chandeliers with modern details
- Seeded glass pendants
- A mix of recessed and pendant lighting
Traditional
For a timeless traditional aesthetic, incorporate ornate options like:
- Crystal chandeliers
- Candle-style chandeliers
- Collection of matching pendants
- Sconces mounted to beams
Coastal
Incorporate beachy allure with fixtures like:
- Woven rope pendants
- Seeded glass globe lights
- Driftwood, shell or starfish chandeliers
- lanterns
Rustic and Farmhouse
Warm, homey lighting options may include:
- Exposed Edison bulb pendants
- Black wrought iron chandeliers
- Pendants crafted from natural materials
- Recessed lighting to spotlight decor
Choosing Lighting for Tray Ceilings
When designing a lighting plan, factor in how you use the space and activities that take place in the room. Task lighting, ambient lighting and accent lighting serve different needs.
Popular options for beautifully illuminating tray ceilings include:
Pendant Lights
Pendants make a gorgeous statement when clustered over a dining table or kitchen island. Go for visual impact with varying heights, shapes and materials. Place individual pendants over seating areas in living rooms or bedrooms. Mini-pendants lining the tray ceiling perimeter provide ambient light.
Chandeliers
Draw the eye upwards with a sparkling chandelier as the focal point. Cascading crystals refract light dramatically. For rooms with multiple seating areas, hang chandeliers over each vignette.
Recessed Lighting
Recessed LED lighting strips or can lights provide uniform ambient illumination. Place recessed lighting around the tray ceiling edges to define the shape. Add adjustable recessed spotlights to highlight artwork, architectural elements and decorative displays.
Wall Sconces
Mount wall sconces on columns or beams extending from the tray ceiling. Wall sconces work well flanking a bed or sectional. Opt for swing arm sconces to direct light right where you need it.
Picture Lights
Picture lights focus attention on treasured artworks or mirrors. Mini fixtures highlight collections of frames along a ledge or gallery wall. Coordinate picture light finish with pendant and chandelier metals for a cohesive look.
Popular Tray Ceiling Lighting Ideas
When designing your custom tray ceiling lighting, factor in how you use the space and activities that take place in the room. Task lighting, ambient lighting and accent lighting serve different needs.
Use Pendant Lighting Clusters
Groupings of mini pendants, large pendants or a statement pendant make a gorgeous focal point over a dining table or kitchen island. Vary the height, shape, size, finish, and shade material of clustered pendants for visual interest.
Incorporate Chandeliers with Other Lighting
Complement a glamorous chandelier with recessed LED strips lining the tray ceiling perimeter. Wall sconces over seating areas balance out the opulence. Mixing lighting keeps the room from feeling too dark and heavy.
Add Recessed Lighting Around Edges
Recessed can lighting or linear LED strips along the outside rim of the tray ceiling provide uniform ambient lighting. Line the inner ledge with mini recessed lights to emphasize the architectural shape. Dim recessed lighting to keep focus on pendant fixtures.
Install Picture Lights to Highlight Artwork
Picture lights focus attention on treasured canvas works, mirrors or collections displayed on the tray ceiling. Go for an LED picture light bar stretched across the length of a gallery display for even illumination.
Mix Lighting Fixtures for Visual Interest
Incorporate several pendant styles over a kitchen island cooking zone. Hang a shimmering statement chandelier over the breakfast nook. Adding recessed perimeter lighting and accent lighting prevents a dark, heavy look.
Design Considerations
Achieving your perfect lighting design requires factoring in placement, ceiling proportions, ambiance and more:
Ceiling Height and Proportions
The size and shape of your tray ceiling impacts the lighting plan. Mini pendants work well with low tray ceilings, while grand chandeliers suit two-story ceilings. Choose fixture sizes, numbers and placement based on ceiling dimensions for ideal proportions.
Types of Bulbs for Ambiance
The bulb color greatly impacts the overall lighting ambiance. Cool white LEDs provide the brightest illumination. Warm white LEDs give off a soft, inviting glow. Incandescent and halogen bulbs cast a dim yellow light. Consider how bulbs coordinate with activities in the space.
Placement of Lighting Fixtures
Strategic lighting placement complements how the room functions. Central fixture placement makes a bold style statement. Perimeter placement defines architectural shape. Spotlights directed at artwork provide focused accents. Recessed light above cabinets facilitates tasks.