• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Interiors Addict

Heart Your Home

@interiorsaddict on Instagram   @interiorsaddict on Facebook   @interiorsaddict on Pinterest  
Subscribe
  • Job Board
  • About
  • Before & Afters
  • RENO ADDICT
  • Kitchens
  • Bathrooms
  • Kids Rooms
  • Bedrooms
  • Living Room
  • Shopping
  • Expert Tips
  • Recipes
  • Parenting
  • Travel
Interiors Addict
  • Job Board
  • About
    • Our Story

      Australia’s largest interior design, styling and renovation blog for the everyday Aussie. By former journalist and magazine editor Jen Bishop, the original interiors addict!
      READ MORE

      We’re big on Instagram!
      @interiorsaddict

      • About
      • Contact Interiors Addict
      • Work with Interiors Addict
      • Advertise / Find a job in Interiors
      • Press
    • Get Your Free Ebook

      This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
    • bookcover-jens-reno
  • By Room
    • Browse by Room

      Where you can search for all our posts about a specific room. Only interested in kitchens and bathrooms? We got you!

      • Kitchens
      • Bathrooms
      • Kids Rooms
      • Bedrooms
      • Living Room
      • Home Office
      • Dining
      • Laundry
      • Outdoor & Exteriors
      • Renting
    • bookcover-jens-reno
  • Before & Afters
    • Before & Afters

      Who doesn’t LOVE a good before & after? If you want to be inspired by the whole reno process, and not just the shiny photos at the end, this is the place for you!

      View Articles

      • Before & Afters
      • Jen’s reno
      • Real Renos
      • RENO ADDICT
    • DSC_0257Designing Wandarra: Breathing new life into a 1980s homestead
    • 20240206_185022-01Before & after: tiles steal the show in 90s kitchen revamp
  • Reno Addict
    • RENO ADDICT

      Looking for reno inspo? Find it all here, from other people’s projects to the latest trends, tools and products, whether you’re DIY-ing or employing trades.

      View articles

      • Reno Products
      • The Block
      • DIY
      • Reno Trends
      • Before & Afters
      • Real Renos
    • Northmead cube bathroomsDi Lorenzo Tiles open new showroom as family business thrives
    • AUS_TVC_DanishBlue_LadyGreyBT_2025_003_LRThink a beautiful kitchen has to cost a fortune? You’d be wrong!
  • Shopping
    • Shopping

      Want to know where to buy the latest furniture, homewares, rugs, art and more? We’re always sharing our latest finds and telling you where you can buy them.

      View Articles

      • Furniture
      • Homewares
      • Art
      • Smart Home
      • Appliances
      • Reno Products
    • kuddlava-table-lamp-pleated-white__1416409_pe975547_s5.jpgWhat’s new in furniture and homewares: June 2025
    • 20250516_DinosaurDesigns_SH_13_2035 2Vases the heroes in new Dinosaur Designs Bones collection
  • Inspiration
    • Inspiration

      While Jen’s a legitimate interiors addict, she’s no design professional, so she calls on an army of the country’s best to share their expertise with you. Be inspired by their stories too!

      View Articles

      • Decorating 101
      • Interviews
      • Expert Tips
      • Before & Afters
      • House Tours
      • Designers
      • Styling
      • Renovating
      • Real Renos
      • Covet my coffee table
    • r+r-coolangatta_rachaeltagg-0343A luxurious slice of Italy on the NSW South Coast
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle

      We’re mostly about the home but Jen also likes to share other things she thinks you’ll love, like food and travel.

      • Recipes
      • Travel
      • Parenting
    • Salted Choc PB PretzelFoodie Friday: Salted chocolate peanut butter pretzel cocktail
    • Muse marrakech Retreats Co Riad Botanica courtyardAussie in Morocco launches design retreat in Marrakech
  • Jobs
    • Advertise on our job board
    • Job Board FAQs for advertisers

Make ceilings look taller: here’s how!

By Jen Bishop •

FacebookPinWhatsAppEmailTweet

If your family home was built in the 1960s, 70s or 80s, the ceiling heights are most likely around 2.3 metres, 40cm lower than current designs allow for.

In new build homes, the standard ceiling height is usually around 2570mm for single storey and the ground floor of a double storey, and 2450mm for the first floor of double storey designs. While a lower ceiling may make a space look cosier, there is a suite of clever tricks you can master to help disguise the low hanging ceiling.

We recently asked Vicki Gillingham, design manager for Henley, what she recommends to create the illusion of a higher ceiling and take your rooms to new heights.

It is all about the paint

Painting the ceilings a lighter colour to the walls helps create the illusion of height in a room. At Henley, we always specify Dulux Lexicon quarter strength on ceilings as it’s a beautiful fresh white that opens up the space and complements any colour scheme teamed with it.

Paint windows trims in a semi-gloss white and avoid installing heavy curtains or bulky pelmets just above the architraves. Instead consider installing ceiling-mounted tracks with sheers or venetian blinds inside the window reveal where possible, to allow the natural light to come through and assist with creating the illusion of higher ceilings.

Do away with the cornices

Create a more seamless look by removing the cornices which adds to the look of the ceiling height. Upgrading to a square set gives the room a modern and sleek edge, plus the illusion of a higher ceiling. If this upgrade does not fit into your budget, consider swapping a wide cornice for a narrower one, painting it the same colour as the ceiling.

Send in the light

Allowing as much natural light in a room as possible, helps lighten the walls, which in turn, helps gives the look of higher ceilings. Consider installing low lying ceiling lights or recessed lights such as downlights to achieve a minimalist look and create a sense of height. Avoid chandeliers or pendant lights as that can enclose the room.

Think about positioning mirrors in a room to help bring in additional light or allow light to bounce into another area, creating the feeling of greater ceiling height or even extra depth to a room or width to an entry way. Try selecting furniture such as couches and bookcases which are shorter and not heavy looking. Avoid dark furniture and keep it neutral.

Adding a peppering of colour in the form of rugs and throws will add personality to a room, while keeping the base palette light and bright adds that much needed balance.

Henley is one of Australia’s leading home builders.

White paints: how to choose the perfect shade
A fresh coat of white paint is one the easiest ways to make a room look and feel brandnew! Whether you’ve just moved into a new home that needs a…
Sofa choices: how to pick the right one
A sofa is certainly a significant statement piece and usually a long-term investment in a home. A necessary combo of aesthetics, function and comfort, just how do you choose the…

FacebookPinWhatsAppEmailTweet

September 3, 2020

Primary Sidebar

Popular This Week

  • Latest Kmart Home range, coming later this month

  • Australian bathroom standards: dimensions explained by an expert

  • What’s new in furniture and homewares: June 2025

  • Check out Australia’s first full scale 3D printed house

  • I tried the latest robot window cleaner and I’m obsessed!

Follow us on Instagram

Nestled among the rolling vineyards of the Shoalha Nestled among the rolling vineyards of the Shoalhaven area on the NSW South Coast, former Block contestants @rachelandryan Carr have transformed a tired rural property into a luxurious holiday retreat that feels like a slice of Italy. Surrounded by the natural beauty of gum trees and rural views, the property is designed to transport guests to the heart of Tuscany, blending the charm of the Australian landscape with the elegance and luxury of Italian design. 

See more on the blog now, via link in bio and stories.
Australia's first 3D printed house is complete! An Australia's first 3D printed house is complete! And this pair of duplexes look pretty stylish too! Ground floor is printed concrete and the top floor is made from lightweight modular panels.

Want to read all about it and see more pix? Comment '3d" and we'll send the article link straight to your DMs! Or find it on the homepage via link in bio.

#3dprinting #3dprinted #3dprintedhouse #3dprintedhome #3dprintedhomes #houseofthefuture #australianhomes #australianhousing
New @kmartaus home coming later this month and her New @kmartaus home coming later this month and here's a few of the standouts, with pricing and more info on the blog now, via link in bio.

Anything catch your eye?

#kmartaustralia #kmarthome #kmartaus #kmartstyling #affordablehomedecor
A custom look on a budget: we love how this rangeh A custom look on a budget: we love how this rangehood cover was fashioned from a piece of American oak benchtop!

This fresh coastal kitchen showcases some of @kaboodlekitchen's latest products to achieve a truly individual space, without paying a small fortune. V groove doors, premium wireware inserts and a concrete look benchtop make for a great combination that's at the same time on trend and timeless. 

See more on the blog now via link in bio and stories.

#flatpackkitchen #budgetkitchen #uniquekitchen #bluekitchencabinets #vgroove #kaboodle #kaboodlekitchen
Swipe for before An interior designer shares the Swipe for before 

An interior designer shares the clever ways they took this homestead from tired 80s to a welcoming country retreat for holidaymakers without spending a fortune or starting from scratch.

This fireplace became a beautiful focal point after a lick of paint, for example.

See more before and afters from @wandarra_homestead on the blog now via link in stories/bio.
How heavenly is AFL star @rhysstanley_'s home he s How heavenly is AFL star @rhysstanley_'s home he shares with wife @kirstenstanley_ and their young kids?!

When they first set eyes on an expansive acreage on Victoria's Surf Coast, they knew it was the perfect place to build their forever home and embrace working farm life. @studiohallihan helped them bring it all together perfectly!

Take the tour on the blog now, via link in bio and stories.

#modernfarmhousehomes #australianfarmhouse #workingfarm #surfcoastlife #foreverhomes #farmhousestylehome #geelongfootballclub #geelongcats
Brand new furniture in an 1877 house and IT WORKS! Brand new furniture in an 1877 house and IT WORKS!

@castleryau have named the talented stylist @stevecordony as their first Australian brand ambassador and he's curated a capsule of their furniture which he styled to perfection at his stunning country house @rosedale_farm 

I was lucky enough to see the pieces in situ last week and I honestly couldn't believe how well it all worked! They were going for accessible luxury and well, he delivered, and then some!

Head to the blog via link in bio to read more about the partnership.

#castlery #castleryau #stevecordony #rosedalefarm #affordablefurniture #australianstylist
If you pick your restaurants for the interior as m If you pick your restaurants for the interior as much as the food, you might want to add @pinosalmare  by @nicgrahamandassociates to your date night list! 😍

@smartstoneaustralia's stunning Calacatta Viola sintered stone surface features throughout, making a bold statement while being durable enough to be used in the busiest areas.

Inspired by Puglia, Pino's (named after the owner's father) in Cronulla has a real seaside vibe. The Smartstone was also chosen for the outdoor tables due to its UV stability.

#calacattaviola #smartstone #restaurantinteriors #restaurantinteriordesign #italianrestaurantsydney #engineeredstone #sinteredstone
SPA VIBES was the brief for this bathroom and @jas SPA VIBES was the brief for this bathroom and @jasminemcclellanddesign delivered. And then some!

"With a keen eye for design, they wanted their main bathroom to feel calm, spa-like and elevated with more storage, better layout, and soft, layered textures in a neutral palette. Lighting was another big focus, with the goal of creating a space that felt luxurious enough to unwind in, preferably with a glass of champagne in the bath.”

Is it a yay or a nay for you?

Head to the blog via link in bio/stories for all the suppliers as well as a look at the powder room with its bold wallpaper 😍

#spabathroom #zenbathroom #spavibes #bathroomremodels 

📸 @jonathantabensky
Follow on Instagram
Visit Jen's profile on Pinterest.

Get Your Free Ebook

Ebook cover

Never miss the latest renovating and interiors products, news and inspo again! Sign up for our newsletter and we'll send you the best bits from the blog, direct to your inbox. Plus you'll get our latest eBook: Just One Thing To Elevate Your Interior, featuring Australia's top design talent.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Jen Bishop

About Jen Bishop

Jen Bishop is our owner and publisher and an experienced journalist and editor. She founded Interiors Addict in 2011. Jen also works as a copywriter and comms consultant to small business owners and brands, helping them with their own content as well as working out what will make them appealing to the media.

More from Design

A luxurious slice of Italy on the NSW South Coast

Stately Melbourne home refreshed for its next 150 years

Decor + Design 2025: the trade show countdown is on!

Vases the heroes in new Dinosaur Designs Bones collection

Stunning private homes open to the public in Melbourne in July

Tomorrow’s bathrooms are warmer with more personality: opinion

AFL star Rhys Stanley’s European style farmhouse

From neutral to bold: best carpet colours for your living room

Modern architectural gem is perfect for family living

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jay says

    September 3, 2020 at 9:18 pm

    I took some great info away from the article about making the ceilings seem higher. Great tips and new perspective found there. Thanks..

  2. Smile says

    September 4, 2020 at 6:54 am

    That was what I was looking for! My husband and I have just bought a house and I think it was built in the 60s or something around that. The ceiling is too low for me, I was raised in the big house and probably that’s why I don’t feel comfortable now. I think we might do a reorganization and follow your recommendations. Thanks a lot!

    Cheers,
    Smile

    • Jen BishopJen Bishop says

      September 4, 2020 at 7:28 am

      So glad it was helpful!

Promo Area

Footer

Interiors Addict

Interiors Addict

  • About
  • Contact
  • Work with Jen
  • Press
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure Policy

Browse

  • RENO ADDICT
  • Jen’s Reno
  • House Tours
  • Real Renos
  • Interviews
  • Styling
  • Designers
  • Bedrooms
  • Covet My Coffee Table
  • Expert Tips
  • The Block
  • Art
  • Furniture
  • Recipes

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RENO ADDICT

Copyright © 2011–2025 Addicted Media Pty Ltd
Website care by ClickWP · Log in