If you have a room with a tall, flat ceiling that is boring you, give it some depth by creating a trayed ceiling effect. This is when the ceiling is higher in the middle of the room than on the sides, giving it a “trayed” look. This is easier than it sounds to do as none of the framing is structural and can easily incorporate recessed lighting into the design.
Laying Out The Ceiling
Measure off one wall 2 feet on the ceiling and make marks in a few places. Connect the marks with a chalk line. repeat this for all the wall in the room. Measure down from the ceiling 11 inches and make marks so a chalk line can connect them on the walls.
Installing The Framing
Screw 2x4s along the lines around the room. Attache a 2×4 perpendicular to the 2×4 on the wall so that the bottoms are flush (even) with each other. This form and L and will be a strong point for extra framing and drywall installation. Attach a string line to the bottom of the 2x4s on the wall directly under the ceiling 2x4s. This will serve as a point of measuring to make sure that the soffit framing is level and equal to the boards mounted on the wall. Mark every 24 inches from the wall on the ceiling 2×4 putting X towards the opposite wall this is where the stud will go. Cut the stud pieces, screw them on and screw on the bottom plate. Measure the distance between the framing soffit wall and the wall framing and attach 2x4s to connect them and create a unified soffit.
If you choose to add recessed lighting, Ru8n the lighting on an existing circuit with no more than 6 extra recessed lights. Any more will require a new circuit be installed at the panel and ran to a separate switch.
Installing the Drywall
Use 5/8 inch drywall for the soffits. Insert screws every 12 inches, making sure that the edges end on framing. Tape, mud, and sand the seams of the drywall. Add the corner bead using drywall nails and mud the corner bead. Lightly sand and texture the soffit to match the ceiling. Make sure to blend it with the rest of the ceiling.
Add crown molding against the soffit and the wall, and on the bottom edge of the soffit on the inside of the tray portion of the ceiling. The crown molding can then be attached to the electrical with rope lighting for an illuminating effect that will cast light upward and create a very dramatic look.
This type of project is messy, but requires very little time and will have a big affect when you enter the room. This is a great way to accent entry ways, dining rooms, and bedrooms with higher than 8 foot ceilings. If your ceiling is a standard 8 foot ceiling, do not preform this project as it will make your room feel very claustrophobic.
