We chose trays because we like them and the new construction surrounding our new build has them, too. We'll have four: entry, living, dining, master.

Well, brace yourself for the "tray ceilings are stupid" comments that are sure to follow. I've seen them on here several times and can predict who they are going to come from, too ;)

However, we are having a tray in our master bedroom in our upcoming remodel. The rest of our ceilings are only 8 ft so I want at least one room with something different. I'm hoping that we can even get a cathedral in our living room by replacing the roof with scissor trusses :) Our last house had mostly 8 ft ceilings throughout, but having a tray in the master and cathedrals in both the living room and family room really helped the whole house feel more spacious. So, I say go for it!

If your style leans towards contemporary, Id skip them, myself, I think they look best with formal, traditional decor. Just my amateur opinion.

Go for them.

Our house came with the tray ceilimgs, which was an upgrade from when it was built, according to the neighbors. I didnt care one way or the other. I like the one in our bedroom,, but we have a strange "double tray ceiling in the fireplace room, which we use as TV family area. It extends 12" into the kitchen nook area, which only heaven knows why they did that.

You can paimt the ceiling for accent- the fifth wall within a neutral space.

Some look good, whereas others not- bordering on ridiculous. Judge for yourself,

Coffered ceilimg- more wood craftsman ship, but very beautiful, as well as more surface area for dust to accumulate.

If you decide yes on tray,. don't paint every surface a different color. Read :

https://thedecorologist.com/is-your-trey-ceiling-giving-away-your-age/

and

https://thedecorologist.com/the-importance-of-color-placement/

Shead: I bet! I’ve heard they are slowly going out of style, so I’m curious what people think!

Oh, definitely don't go crazy with them! Our master bedroom wasn't ornate at all and definitely not octagonal! I probably would've chosen a different style tray had we been the original owners/builder but it worked and was definitely not as boring as a flat ceiling.

I do prefer trays that rise perpendicularly to the main ceiling instead of diagonally like ours did:

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Re: ceiling fans..... If we didn't have a ceiling fan, I'd get zero sleep from DH kicking covers off because he is too hot. Hate them design wise, but they are a blessing for marital bliss,. A good night's sleep is more important than "design"

And ceiling fans work well with a tray ceiling? I’ve heard the air just stays up?

Please don't think I'm against ceiling fans- can't sleep without them! Unfortunately they are like microhoods- terrible aesthetically and mediocre on function but still often the best answer.

We'll have a ceiling fan and 4 can lights in our master and living trays. Fans are mandatory in Houston, Tx and the 4 can lights offer good light.

"And ceiling fans work well with a tray ceiling? I’ve heard the air just stays up?"

Our fan worked great with a tray ceiling.

And there are "fandeliers" these days so they don't have to be terribly unaesthetic :)

Jean-. the air stays up That idea depends upon a variety of factors. First of all, if the space has a 20 foot ceiling or a lofty two story great rooms- yes a ceiling fan would have minimal impact at moving the air. However, a ceiling fan works great with 10ft ceilings. Also, many fans have a reverse option that draws the air upward or pushes downward with the push of a remote button.

When choosing a style of tray ceiling (as shead mentioned) a lot has to do with how much room you have to go "up" with it into the attick area (if it's a bungalow).

It's hard to beat a good flat ceiling. They still look good 70 years later and never "date" the house. There are places other than my ceiling I would look for to have some "architectural interest". Frankly, that's pretty hard to do in any house that was built after WWII unless it's a uber high end house done with an unlimited budget and in an area where there are skilled craftsmen.

As for pot lights in ceilings - I don't like them. I love them in kitchens and bathrooms and in some halls when the ceiling is 8 ft (I replace my lovely solid polished brass fixtures in my back hall after my husband died - he was the only one tall enough to keep them clean). I don't like them in any other room other than in lieu of a chandelier over a dining room table. I'm a lamp girl all the way.

IMO tray ceilings have quite a formal look and at most I might do one in master for some nice soft lighting around the perimeter and no center light at all. Its really your house so do what you like I think they truly are waste of money . BTW we have all 8’ ceilings and have never found our space to feel cramped and my heating and coolong bills are a lot less .

It is not worth the money and will probably make the house look dated. You can not go wrong with a flat ceiling. Coffered ceilings look way better, but they can not be done if a room has low ceilings.

dated? It depends on how you treat it and what else is done to the room. Search for images and decide the looks you want to accomplish and can accomplish with your furniture. Some below are dated, others not. Judge the Dos and Don'ts for yourself

Dining room:

BEDROOM:

Not a pro. I don’t like tray ceilings.

There are many photos of beautiful and NOT dated tray ceilings on Houzz. Just search for them.

Also make sure you see examples of what your builder means by tray ceilings. Like others have mentioned, tray ceilings can be good or bad, and you want to make sure your idea of tray ceiling is compatible with what your builder is willing & able to execute.

I'm just going to echo what rainyseason wrote above.

There are really well-done trays that look fabulous both in the room and in the context of the whole house, and then there a whole lot of shockingly bad, really tragic examples out there too.

My gut reaction is that most of the trays in tract builds look pretty bad. That's obviously just my opinion and you know what they say about those. :) However they are over-done right now, so again IMO the poorly done ones are going to really "date" a home in a few years (if they don't already).

This is one of those design details that leaves a strong presence in a house. If you really want to do a tray, my only advise is to make sure you're working with someone who really knows what they are doing, lest you end up with that burgundy monstrosity upthread. :)

Years ago I did an addition and remodeling of a cottage with another architect who was a partner in a firm headed by an apprentice of Frank Lloyd Wright. He did the initial design, we refined the design, I produced the construction documents and observed the construction. The design had a "tray" ceiling that was an integral part of the design and not just ceiling treatment. Most of what is pictured above is what I would consider ceiling treatment.

Below is an example of a "tray" ceiling similar to the project I mentioned above. It is from the Darwin D. Martin House by Frank Lloyd Wright in Buffalo, New York.