Since the launch of the very popular HGTV show Fixer Upper a few years ago, shiplap has taken the country by storm. We are installing it more and more every day, which is a great way to add some charm and character to your home.
What is shiplap?
Once used to construct boats, traditional wood shiplap has a groove (or rabbet) cut into the top and bottom of each board. This allows the boards to fit snugly together, creating a weathertight seal. The groove creates the distinctive dark shadowy lines along a wall when shiplap is installed. Before drywall came into the market, it was also once used to cover walls of homes and was generally hidden under layers of wallpaper and/or fabric; it was not meant to be seen.
Exposing old shiplap walls covered in wallpaper.
Today, exposed shiplap is in vogue, and we think the look is here to stay.
It looks great in a Scandinavian or minimalist style home, classic American farmhouse, mountain cabin, coastal cottage, modern ranch, bungalow, or any other style home… in any room of the house! Grab a cup of coffee and let’s look at some inspiration.
KITCHENS
Horizontal plank shiplap walls in this Tennessee kitchen add dimension and interest to the room. Shiplap boards are easy to wipe clean, making it a kitchen-friendly surface.
Varied-width vertical shiplap walls are mixed with white subway tile in the kitchen of this classic Birmingham home.
The kitchen cabinet doors are shiplap in this Seaside, Florida beach house.
Notice the creamy shiplap walls (installed horizontally) in this rustic kitchen.
This adorable Paris apartment looks to have used vertical planks of shiplap as the back-splash in the kitchen. (It could be v-groove boards rather than shiplap, but nevertheless it looks great.)
BEDROOMS
In this southern home, shiplap is a great alternative to plain ol’ dryall in a charming nursery designed by Holly Mathis.
Bunk room heaven – all done in shiplap!
In this modern styled bedroom, a wall of shiplap adds texture without being too farmhouse-country-rustic.
LIVING ROOMS
Usually shiplap is installed horizontally, which generally makes a small room feel bigger. Though in large rooms with tall ceilings, vertically hung shiplap can be ideal. For super large rooms, it can be installed both horizontally and vertically to break up the vastness of the space.
Shiplap installed vertically is great for rooms with high ceilings.
Check out this classic Atlanta family room. The TV is hidden behind custom shiplap doors above the mantle.
A close up view of the walls.
An old barn-turned-family room in this cozy New Hampshire farmhouse has walls covered in random width pine shiplap.
A cottage with shiplap living room walls is classic and timeless.
ENTRYWAYS
A pretty blue-grey barn door looks well suited in this shiplap-lined room. If the walls were just drywall, the barn door may look a bit out of place. Shiplap + barn door = Classic country charm
The shiplap on the walls of this narrow entryway give it depth.
Here is another entry, done in painted black shiplap hung vertically.
Shiplap in a traditional setting of a Maine farmhouse.
Mudroom walls and doors of this mountain cabin are shiplap.
BATHROOMS
This bathroom reads modern farmhouse with the shiplap wall treatment and modern faucets.
White marble, shiplap walls, slate floor.
Perfectly square shiplap corners come together in this vintage styled New York bathroom.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Shiplap was once used in lieu of drywall, but it was usually covered up by wallpaper or fabric
- Leaving shiplap exposed is not just for rustic cabins or farmhouses anymore – it’s a timeless detail which adds to the modern architecture of a home
- Looks great in any house in any room
- Usually looks best painted
- Horizontal for small rooms, Vertical for tall rooms
- Mixes well with many other finishes such as subway tile, bead board, stone or wood flooring, various type countertops
- Consider it for custom doors
- Install it floor-to-ceiling (not just part of the way up the wall like a wainscoting)
Painted shiplap is a classic look which we install often, in various style homes! Please keep this option in mind for your Forever Home.
