Find Your Perfect Lighting to Complement Tray Ceiling Style
Tray ceilings are an increasingly popular architectural detail that add visual interest and dimension to any room. The sunken, tray-like shape makes the ceiling a focal point and allows for unique lighting opportunities. When designed well, the lighting on a tray ceiling can truly enhance the overall style of the space.
But with so many lighting options to choose from, how do you find the perfect fixtures to complement your tray ceiling? The key is choosing lighting that aligns with the size and layout of your tray ceiling, the room's main uses, the desired ambiance, and the overall aesthetic you want to achieve. Read on as we dive deeper into finding lighting that completes your tray ceiling style.
Get Inspired: Creative Lighting Ideas for Tray Ceilings
Before selecting any specific lighting fixtures, it helps to get inspired by some of the many possibilities for illuminating a tray ceiling:
Statement Pendant Lights
Hang a sparkling pendant light or colorful chandelier from the center of your tray ceiling to create a bold focal point. Opt for a large, eye-catching fixture that complements your decor. Pendant lights lend a sense of drama to the room.
Recessed Lighting
Recessed can lights installed right into the sunken tray ceiling produce an ambient, subtle glow. Spacing small recessed lights evenly casts an unassuming, general light around the room.
Rope Lighting
For a delicate accent, rope lights or LED strips can be used to trace the edges and seams of your tray ceiling. The indirect lighting softly defines the architectural shape.
Cove Lighting
Consider using cove lighting, which tucks linear lighting into a recess in the ceiling or wall. Cove lighting on a tray ceiling washes the space in a warm, even lighting that creates a relaxing mood.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Lighting
To choose lighting that perfectly suits your tray ceiling, take the following factors into account:
Size and Layout of Your Tray Ceiling
Consider the available space you have to work with. What is the shape and boundary of your tray ceiling area? This will determine optimal placement for any lighting fixtures. A long, narrow tray ceiling calls for centralized lighting, while a large, square tray ceiling can accommodate lighting spread out across the space.
If your tray ceiling is very small, placing large statement lights can overwhelm the space. Recessed lighting around the edges may be a better fit.
The Room's Main Uses
How the room is used should inform what type of lighting works best. Task lighting suits a home office space, while ambient lighting sets the right mood for a bedroom retreat. Dining rooms benefit from pendant lighting centered above the table.
Factor in lighting needs for any activities carried out in the space, and choose fixtures accordingly. The lighting for a kitchen, living room, dining area, or bedroom will vary.
Desired Ambiance and Overall Aesthetic
Consider the look and feel you want your lighting to achieve. Do you prefer a subtle, understated accent, or a bright, dramatic statement? Cool, modern lighting makes a different impact than vintage filament bulbs. The lighting should complement the room's color scheme and decor style.
Factor in whether you want to use the tray ceiling lighting to make a bold focal point or seamlessly blend in. This helps guide not just the style but also the size and placement of fixtures.
Sufficient Illumination for the Space
Don't forget the practical aspect--any lighting you install must sufficiently brighten the room for its intended use. Factor in lumens needed based on room size and activities. Space recessed lighting out evenly to avoid shadows or dark spots.
Layer tray ceiling lights with other light sources like lamps and wall sconces. Blend ambient and task lighting as needed so the room has optimal illumination.
Popular Lighting Options for Tray Ceilings
Now that we've covered key factors to keep in mind, let's look at some of the best lighting options to consider for your tray ceiling:
Pendant Lights
Pendant lights are a natural choice to hang from the center of your tray ceiling. Choose a large, decorative chandelier or sleek modern pendant to serve as a striking focal point. Opt for adjustable cord lengths to get the perfect hanging height.
In dining areas, multiple smaller pendants spaced over the table provide focused task lighting. Just be sure the style fits your room's overall aesthetic. Drum pendants complement modern spaces, while crystal pendants match transitional decor.
Recessed Lighting
Recessed can lighting provides soft, even illumination from within the sunken tray ceiling itself. The can trim hugs the ceiling and subtly blends in. Spacing small recessed lights apart washes the room in ambient lighting.
Opt for adjustable direction lights to control the beam spread. Wall wash lights angle toward the walls to accentuate the architecture. Consider dimmable LED recessed lighting to control brightness.
Rope Lighting
For a delicate accent, rope lights outline the tray ceiling in a subtle glow. The flexible LED strips can be tucked into coves or edge details. An LED rope light strip on a dimmer switched creates a customizable ambiance.
Rope lights work well to conceal the transitional points around drop-down tray ceilings. Their soft illumination is ideal for bedrooms. Outdoor-rated rope lights can even accent tray ceilings on covered patios.
Cove Lighting
Cove lighting tucks linear fixtures into a ceiling recess or cove to produce indirect, ambient lighting. The light washes the ceiling and upper walls, creating a soft glow and no harsh glare. Cove lighting is often LED or fluorescent.
Cove lighting built seamlessly into your ceiling and wall detailing can provide gentle tray ceiling illumination. Using RGB LED strip cove lights even allows changing the colors to fit your mood.
Smart Lighting for Convenience
Today's lighting technology also makes it easy to incorporate smart features for unmatched control and convenience:
- Smart bulbs like Philips Hue let you change colors and dimness from an app or voice assistant.
- Preset lighting scenes for focused tasks or relaxing ambiance.
- Smart switches for easy voice or app-based control, even when away.
- Automated schedules to turn lights on/off at set times each day.
Smart lighting takes tray ceiling illumination to the next level. Schedule bright, energizing light in the mornings or soothing, dimmed lighting at night. Set the ideal dining ambiance or turn lights on before arriving home.
Tips and Tricks for Installation
Once you've selected lighting fixtures for your tray ceiling, keep these tips in mind for seamless installation and use:
- Hire an experienced electrical contractor or handyman to install wiring and fixtures safely.
- Test pendant and track lights before permanently mounting to get the height perfect.
- Space recessed lights evenly based on manufacturer guidelines.
- Use a dimmer switch to control brightness of LED, halogen, or incandescent lights.
- Follow local building codes for required lighting layouts, wiring, etc.
Proper installation ensures your lighting layout complements the room and offers optimal usability for years to come.
The lighting you choose can make or break your tray ceiling design. Take the size, room uses, and aesthetic goals into account to select fixtures tailored to your space. Opt for pendant lights, recessed lighting, rope lights, or cove lighting depending on the look you want to achieve.
And don't forget to layer in smart lighting controls for total convenience. With the right illumination accentuating its architectural details, your tray ceiling will immediately upgrade the room's style.