27 Shiplap Wall Ideas That Add Charm to Any Room

BySophie Lane Last Updated on Home & Living
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Last week I went to my neighbour’s house for tea and I could not stop looking at her living room wall. It had thin white boards running across it, with small lines between each one. The whole room felt warm and calm at once, and I kept thinking about my own plain walls at home.

I asked her what it was called and she smiled and said shiplap. She told me her husband put it up in one weekend. I went home that same day and started looking at photos of shiplap walls in every room I could think of.

Shiplap is just flat boards fixed side by side on a wall. The small gap between the boards makes a soft line. That line is what gives the wall its charm. It looks simple, but it changes the whole feel of a room.

You can paint it white, grey, blue, or any soft colour you like. You can put it up straight or across. You can cover one wall or a small part of one wall. It works in big rooms and in small rooms too.

I love it because it does not need a lot of fancy stuff around it. A plain sofa looks better next to it. A simple lamp looks better too. The wall does the work, and the rest of the room can stay calm.

It is also a good job for a first home project. The boards are light and easy to cut. You can start with one small wall and learn as you go. If you make a small mistake, paint covers a lot of it.

In this one post you will find all 27 ideas, from living rooms and bedrooms to kitchens, bathrooms, and entryways. Read through them slowly and pick the ones that fit your home best.

1. White Shiplap in the Living Room

A living room corner with white shiplap walls, a beige sofa with plain cushions, a round wooden side table holding a small potted plant, and a woven rug.

White shiplap makes a living room feel fresh and clean. I painted my main wall white last year and the room looked bigger the same day.

It goes with almost any sofa colour. A grey sofa looks soft next to it. A blue sofa looks bright and happy.

Keep the boards the same white as your ceiling if you want a calm look. It blends in and the room feels tall and open.

You can hang one big photo frame on it and that is enough. The lines in the wood do the rest. I tried too many frames once and it looked busy, so I took most of them down.

White shiplap also shows dust a bit more, so I wipe it down once a week. A dry cloth works fine for most days. A damp cloth helps after a dusty week.

If your room gets little light, white is the best pick. It bounces the light around and the room feels less dark. My back wall gets no sun at all, and white still made it feel bright.

Pair it with a wooden floor if you can. The warm wood and the cool white boards look good side by side. Add a soft rug and the room feels done.

Do not paint the boards a shiny white. A flat or soft satin paint looks more homely. Shiny paint shows every small mark.

Start with the wall behind your sofa if you are not sure where to begin. It is the wall you see most. You will know right away if you love the look.

2. Shiplap Fireplace Wall

A cozy living room with a white shiplap wall around a fireplace with a glowing fire, a beige sofa with a chunky knit throw in the foreground, and a wooden mantel holding a white vase with green leaves and a small potted plant.

A fireplace wall is the best place for shiplap in my view. The fire draws your eye, and the boards frame it so well. My friend did hers last winter and her whole living room changed.

Pick boards that can take a bit of heat. Pine boards cost $2 to $4 per square foot and they are a good pick for most homes. They are light and easy to cut to size.

MDF boards cost $1 to $3 per square foot and they are the cheapest pick of the three. They paint well and look smooth. They are not as strong as real wood, so keep them away from wet spots.

PVC boards cost $3 to $6 per square foot and they are the dearest pick here. They do not mind damp air and they wipe clean fast. I would pick them for a home with small kids and lots of sticky hands.

Material Typical cost per square foot
Pine boards $2 to $4 per square foot
MDF boards $1 to $3 per square foot
PVC boards $3 to $6 per square foot

Keep the boards a safe gap from the fire opening. Ask a local fitter if you are not sure how much gap you need. Safety comes first with any fire wall.

White boards around a black fireplace look sharp and clean. The dark fire box stands out and the white boards make it pop. It is a simple mix that always works.

You can run the boards all the way to the ceiling for a tall look. It makes the fireplace feel grand, even in a small room. My cousin did this and her low room looked much taller.

Put a wooden beam above the fire if you like a farmhouse feel. A thick beam and white boards are a classic pair. Hang a small clock or a plain mirror above it.

Do not crowd the mantel with lots of small things. Two or three plain items are enough. A small plant pot and a candle are all I keep on mine.

3. Shiplap Accent Wall Behind the Bed

A calm bedroom with a white shiplap accent wall behind a wooden bed with plain cream bedding and pillows, and a small potted plant on a wooden bedside table.

The wall behind your bed is a perfect spot for shiplap. You see it first thing when you walk in, and last thing before you sleep. It makes the whole bedroom feel like it was planned.

I painted mine a soft white and kept my bedding plain cream. The room feels calm now. I sleep better when the room looks tidy and soft.

Run the boards across the wall for a wide, restful feel. It makes a small bedroom look a bit wider. That helped a lot in my old flat, where the room was long and thin.

Hang your bed headboard right on the boards. A wooden headboard looks warm against white shiplap. A padded headboard in a soft grey looks soft and cosy too.

Add two small lamps on each side of the bed. The warm light falls on the board lines and makes them glow a little at night. It is a nice sight when you are reading in bed.

Keep the rest of the walls plain so the shiplap wall stands out. If every wall has boards, the effect gets lost. One wall is enough to make the point.

You can paint the shiplap a pale blue for a calm sleep feel. Blue is a good pick for bedrooms. It feels cool in summer and soft in winter.

Do not hang a big loud picture on this wall. The boards are the art here. A small round mirror or nothing at all works best.

Start this job on a free Saturday morning. Measure the wall twice, cut the boards, and fix them one by one. By tea time you can stand back and see a new bedroom.

4. Shiplap in the Bathroom

A small bright bathroom with a white shiplap wall above white square tiles, a wooden shelf holding a fern in a white pot and three folded linen towels, and a white sink with a brass tap below it.

Shiplap in a bathroom sounds odd at first, but it works so well. It gives a plain white bathroom a warm, homely feel. I saw it in a small guest bathroom and I loved it right away.

Pick PVC boards for a bathroom if you can. They do not mind steam and splashes. Wipe them down after a shower and they stay clean.

Painted pine can work too if you seal it well. Use a good bathroom paint that fights damp. Check the board edges each year and touch up the paint if it starts to lift.

Put shiplap on the wall behind the sink for a small change. It frames the mirror and makes the sink area feel special. It is a good first step if a full room feels like too much.

White boards with a dark floor look smart in a bathroom. The dark floor grounds the room. The white boards keep it bright.

Keep the boards away from the direct shower spray. Even good boards last longer when they stay dry. A glass screen helps a lot here.

Add a wooden shelf on the shiplap wall for towels. Rolled towels look neat on open wood. A small jar with cotton pads fits there too.

Use a soft grey or pale green paint if white feels too cold. Both colours feel fresh in a bathroom. They go well with white taps and a white sink.

Clean the lines between the boards with a small brush once a month. Dust and soap can sit in the gaps. A quick brush keeps them looking new.

5. Shiplap Kitchen Backsplash Wall

A bright kitchen with a white shiplap backsplash wall above white subway tiles, a wooden shelf holding a small herb plant in a terracotta pot, a wooden counter with a white sink and a silver wall tap.

A shiplap wall behind the kitchen worktop is a fresh change from tiles. It looks soft and homely, and it is easy to wipe. I cook a lot, so a wall I can clean fast matters to me.

Run the boards across the wall between the worktop and the wall cupboards. That strip is the part you see most when you cook. It is also the part that gets the most splashes.

Seal the boards well with a wipe-clean paint. A satin paint is best here. It lets you wipe off sauce and oil with a damp cloth.

White shiplap with wooden worktops is my favourite kitchen mix. The wood warms the room and the white keeps it light. Add black handles and the kitchen looks smart.

Keep the boards behind the hob safe from high heat. A small steel sheet behind the hob helps. It guards the wood and still looks neat.

You can paint the shiplap a soft sage green for a country feel. Green goes well with cream cupboards. It makes the kitchen feel calm in the morning.

Hang a rail on the boards for cups and spoons. Hooks on a rail keep tools close to hand. I hang my wooden spoons there and I use them every day.

Do not leave raw wood bare in a kitchen. Steam and grease will mark it fast. Paint and seal are a must in this room.

If your kitchen is small, keep the shiplap to one wall only. Too much wood in a tiny kitchen can feel heavy. One bright wall is just right.

6. Shiplap Entryway Wall

A bright entryway with a white shiplap wall, a round mirror with a light wood frame, a wooden slatted bench with a woven basket below it, and a large fiddle-leaf fig plant in a plain white pot.

The entryway is the first wall guests see, so it should feel warm. Shiplap there makes a small hall feel like a real welcome. Mine was plain for years, and now it feels like a proper home.

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Cover the wall next to the front door with white boards. It takes the knocks from bags and shoes well. Paint touch-ups are quick and easy.

Add hooks on the boards for coats and bags. Wooden hooks look good on white shiplap. Put them at a height the whole family can reach.

A small bench under the hooks makes the hall work better. You can sit to put shoes on. Shoes can tuck under the bench and stay out of the way.

Paint the boards a soft blue-grey if white feels too plain for a hall. It hides small scuffs well. It still feels light when you walk in.

Hang a round mirror on the shiplap wall. It helps you check your hair before you leave. It also bounces light down a dark hall.

Keep the floor clear and the wall simple. A hall works best when it is not crowded. One bench, a few hooks, and a mirror are enough.

Use strong fixings for the hooks, as coats can get heavy in winter. Fix the hooks into the wall studs where you can. They will hold for years that way.

This is a small job you can finish in a day. Measure the wall, fix the boards, paint them, and add the hooks. Guests will notice it the next time they visit.

7. Vertical Shiplap That Makes Walls Look Taller

A small bedroom with tall vertical white shiplap panels running from floor to ceiling, a wooden bed with plain cream bedding and pillows, and a small potted plant on a wooden bedside table.

Vertical shiplap runs up and down, and it tricks the eye. Your wall looks taller than it really is. I used it in a low room and the change was clear right away.

It is the best pick for rooms with low ceilings. The long lines pull your eye up. The ceiling feels higher, even though nothing moved.

Keep the colour light for the tallest feel. White or pale cream works best. Dark colours can make a low room feel shorter, so save them for tall rooms.

Run the boards from the floor right to the ceiling. Do not stop halfway. A half wall breaks the line and the tall effect gets lost.

Pair vertical boards with a low sofa or a low bed. Low furniture and tall lines work well side by side. The room feels balanced and calm.

Use it in a narrow hall to make the space feel less tight. The lines draw you forward and up. My hall felt like a tunnel before, and now it feels open.

Hang art high on a vertical wall to add to the effect. A tall frame suits the tall lines. Keep the frame simple so the boards still show.

Be careful with your cuts at the top and the bottom. Ceilings are rarely dead straight. Measure each board on its own and trim it to fit.

Try this in a bedroom first if you are unsure. One tall wall behind the bed is a safe test. You will see the height trick in one evening.

8. Horizontal Shiplap for a Classic Look

A classic living room with horizontal white shiplap on the wall, a beige sofa with plain cushions, a wooden coffee table holding a white vase with dried pampas grass, and a woven rug on a wood floor.

Horizontal shiplap is the classic style most people know. The boards run side to side, and the look is calm and timeless. It suits almost any home.

It makes a room feel wider. The lines run across the wall and pull your eye from side to side. A narrow living room feels less tight with this style.

White horizontal boards are the safest pick. They go with any sofa, any rug, and any curtain. You cannot really go wrong with white here.

Keep the gaps even all the way across. Use a small spacer, like a coin, between boards as you fix them. Even gaps make the wall look neat and pro.

This style suits a farmhouse look best. Add a wooden beam, a woven rug, and a soft linen sofa. The room will feel warm and lived in.

Run the boards around the whole room if you want a cosy cottage feel. It wraps the room in soft lines. Keep the ceiling white so the room still feels bright.

Do not mix horizontal and vertical boards on the same wall. It looks messy and the eye does not know where to rest. Pick one way and stick to it for that wall.

Paint the boards after you fix them, not before. Paint after fixing covers the nail holes and the small joins. It gives a smooth, clean finish.

Start at the bottom and work your way up, one board at a time. Check each board is level as you go. A level first board makes the whole wall easy.

9. Painted Shiplap in Soft Grey

A calm bedroom with soft grey painted shiplap behind a wooden bed dressed in plain white bedding, a small potted plant on a wooden bedside table, and a woven rug at the foot of the bed.

Soft grey shiplap is a calm pick for any room. It is not as stark as white, and not as dark as charcoal. It sits in the middle and feels easy on the eyes.

I painted my study wall a soft grey last spring. The room feels quiet now, and I can think better in it. Grey does not shout for your notice.

Pick a warm grey with a hint of brown in it. Cool greys can feel cold in a north facing room. Warm grey feels soft even on a dull day.

Grey boards go well with white bedding and white towels. The mix looks clean and fresh. Add a wooden frame or two for warmth.

Use grey in a bedroom if white feels too bright for sleep. It softens the light in the morning. It also hides small marks better than white does.

Pair grey shiplap with brass or gold touches for a smart look. A brass lamp or a gold frame lifts the grey. It stops the room from feeling flat.

Test the paint on one board first and look at it in daylight and at night. Grey changes a lot with the light. What looks soft at noon can look dark at night.

Keep the rest of the room light when the boards are grey. White ceilings and light floors help. The room will feel balanced, not heavy.

Touch up grey paint with the same tin, and keep the tin for later. A small scuff is a quick fix with the right paint. I keep mine on a shelf in the hall cupboard.

10. Dark Shiplap for a Moody Room

A moody living room with dark charcoal shiplap on one wall, a beige sofa draped with a chunky cream knit throw, a glowing woven floor lamp, a leafy plant in a plain white pot, and a woven rug.

I love a dark shiplap wall when I want a room to feel calm and warm. It makes the whole space feel like a quiet hug.

You can paint the boards a deep navy or a soft charcoal and the room changes right away.

I tried this in my own small den and I was scared at first. I thought dark would make it feel tiny. But the lines in the wood kept it from feeling flat, and my lamp light made it glow a little at night.

You do not need to paint all four walls dark. One wall is enough to get the look.

Try it behind your bed or behind your sofa first.

I like to pair dark shiplap with light bedding or a light rug. The mix keeps the room from feeling too heavy. You get the moody feel and you still have soft light in the room.

Add a warm lamp and a soft throw blanket and you are done. It feels like a good place to read at night.

Keep your decor simple here.

I keep just one or two frames on my dark wall and I let the wood do the talking. You can do the same and your room will still feel rich and calm.

11. Shiplap Ceiling

A cozy bedroom seen from a low angle with a white shiplap ceiling, a wooden bed with rumpled plain cream bedding, and a small potted plant on a wooden bedside table.

I never thought about my ceiling until I saw a shiplap one. It made the whole room feel finished.

You look up and you see neat lines instead of a plain white flat space.

I like a white shiplap ceiling in a living room because it feels bright and clean. It also makes a low ceiling feel a bit taller to my eyes. You can paint it the same white as your walls for a soft look.

You can also try a wood tone ceiling in a bedroom. It feels warm like a cabin.

I would keep the rest of the room light if the ceiling is wood.

You do not need fancy lights with this look. A simple pendant or a flush light works well. I hung one plain light in the middle and it looked just right.

My tip is to run the boards the long way across the room. It helps your eye move across the space.

It takes a bit of work to put up, but I think it is worth it.

You will notice it every time you walk in. I still smile when I look up in my room and see those clean lines.

12. Shiplap in the Dining Room

An elegant dining room with a white shiplap wall, a wooden dining table with plain wooden chairs, a white vase with green eucalyptus leaves on the table, and a woven rug under the table.

I think a shiplap wall makes a dining room feel warm and welcoming. It is a nice back drop for family meals.

You can put it on the wall behind your table and it frames the whole space.

I painted mine a soft white and I added a wood table and simple chairs. The room felt fresh but not cold. You can eat here every day and it still feels a little special.

Try a light grey or a soft sage green if white feels too plain for you.

I like to hang one big frame or a round mirror on the shiplap. It gives the wall a focal point.

You do not need a lot of decor here. A small vase with fresh green leaves on the table is enough. I keep a plain bowl in the middle and it looks neat.

My kids eat here and I wipe the boards with a damp cloth when they get messy. It cleans up easy.

Good light helps a lot in this room.

I use a warm pendant over the table and the shiplap lines catch the light in a soft way. You will love how it looks at dinner time.

13. Shiplap Half Wall with a Ledge

A bright hallway with a white shiplap half wall topped by a narrow wooden ledge holding a small potted plant and a plain white vase, a wooden bench below, and a woven rug.

I love a half wall with a ledge because it is pretty and useful at the same time. You get wood on the lower half and paint on the top half.

You can put small things on the ledge and change them when you want a new look.

I have a ledge in my hallway and I put a small plant and a framed photo on it. It takes two minutes to change them. You can try books, a small clock, or a little basket too.

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This look works well in a living room or a bedroom. It adds a bit of charm without taking over the room.

Paint the shiplap white and the top wall a soft color for a fresh feel.

I like a wood ledge on top of white boards. The wood edge feels warm and it is strong enough to hold your things.

You can also use the ledge in a kids room for small toys and books. I keep mine low so little hands can reach it.

It is easy to clean too.

I wipe the ledge once a week and the boards stay neat. You will like how simple this one is to live with.

14. Shiplap in a Small Powder Room

A tiny powder room with white shiplap on the lower walls and soft sage green paint above, a small white sink with a chrome tap, a round mirror with a light wood frame, and a small potted succulent on a wooden shelf.

I think a small powder room is a great place to try shiplap. A little room can handle a bold look.

You can cover one wall and it feels like a whole new room.

I used white shiplap in my tiny powder room and it made the space feel clean and bright. I added a small wood shelf and a round mirror. You would not believe how big it felt after that.

Try a soft color if you want more charm. A pale blue or a light green works well here.

I like vertical boards in a small room. They make the walls feel taller.

You need paint that can handle steam and splashes. I used a satin paint and it wipes clean with a cloth.

Keep the mirror and the light simple. A warm bulb makes the shiplap glow a little.

I hung one small frame with a sweet quote and that was it.

You do not need much in a powder room. I think the wood lines are the star here, and your guests will notice them right away.

15. Shiplap Around the TV Wall

A living room with a white shiplap wall behind a flat screen television with a plain blank dark screen, a wooden media console below with a small potted plant, a beige sofa and a woven rug.

I put shiplap around my TV wall and it made my living room feel so much neater. The TV blends in instead of standing out.

You can paint the boards the same color as your wall and the TV looks like part of the room.

I like a warm white for this wall because it feels soft on the eyes. I added a low wood console under the TV and a few small baskets. You can hide your cords in the console and the wall stays clean.

Try a dark shiplap wall if you want a movie feel at night.

I watch films with the lights low and the dark boards make it feel like a small cinema.

You do not need a big TV stand with this look. A floating shelf under the TV is enough for a small box and a remote.

I keep my decor light on this wall. One plant on the side and one frame is all I need.

Make sure the boards are level before you hang the TV.

I learned this the hard way and my first row was a bit off. You will be glad you took your time here, because you look at this wall every day.

16. Shiplap in the Kids Room

A bright kids room with a white shiplap wall, a small wooden bed with plain white bedding, a woven basket of plain wooden toy blocks on the floor, and a small potted plant on a wooden wall shelf.

I love shiplap in a kids room because it feels fun and it is tough enough for daily play. It can take a few bumps and still look good.

You can paint it a soft color that your child loves.

I painted one wall a pale blue in my sons room and I added white bedsheets and wood toys. The room felt calm at bedtime and bright in the day. You can let your child pick the color with you.

Try a half wall here so the top half stays light and airy.

I put hooks on the shiplap for hats and small bags. It helps my son tidy up on his own.

You can add a reading nook with a small cushion and a few books. I made one in the corner and my son reads there every night.

Keep the paint washable. I wipe marks off with a damp cloth and it comes clean.

I like to add name letters or a simple star shape on the wall.

You do not need a lot of stuff to make this room feel special. I think the shiplap lines and a soft rug are enough for a happy little room.

17. Shiplap in the Home Office

A warm wood desk against a white shiplap wall with a blank closed beige notebook, a plain white cup, and a small potted succulent on the desk.

I work from home and my shiplap office wall makes my work days feel better. It feels calm and it looks neat on video calls too.

You can put shiplap behind your desk and it gives you a clean back drop.

I painted mine white and I added a small wood desk. A small wood desk costs $80 to $150, and mine was in that range. You can find a good one that fits a small room.

Add a wall shelf above your desk for books and small boxes. A wall shelf above desk costs $25 to $60, so it is an easy add.

I keep my shelf light so the desk stays clear for work.

Good light matters a lot when you work. A desk lamp costs $20 to $45, and a warm one makes late work feel softer.

I put my lamp on the left side of my desk so my hand does not block the light.

You can add a small plant and a notebook and you are set.

I try to keep my desk tidy at the end of each day. You will find it is much easier to start work when your space looks calm and clean.

Pairing Typical cost
Small wood desk $80 to $150
Wall shelf above desk $25 to $60
Desk lamp $20 to $45

18. Shiplap in the Mudroom

A bright mudroom with a white shiplap wall, four wooden hooks holding plain coats, a wooden bench with three woven baskets below it, and a leafy potted plant in a plain white pot.

I think a mudroom is the best place for shiplap. It is strong, it wipes clean, and it looks good with coats and shoes everywhere.

You can cover the back wall and add hooks for each person in your home.

I have hooks at two heights in my mudroom. The low ones are for my kids and the high ones are for me. You can add a small name tag above each hook if you like.

Add a bench under the hooks and you have a spot to sit and put on shoes.

I keep baskets under my bench for shoes and hats. It keeps the floor clear.

You can paint the shiplap a soft grey or a warm white. I chose white and it stays bright even on rainy days.

Try a wood bench top for a warm feel. I love how the wood looks against the white boards.

It is easy to clean after muddy days.

I wipe the boards with a damp cloth and sweep the floor and it looks fresh again. You will love how tidy this little room can feel.

19. Shiplap in the Laundry Room

A bright laundry room with a white shiplap wall, a white front-load washing machine, a wooden shelf holding a small potted plant and folded white towels, and a woven basket on the floor.

I never thought a laundry room could feel nice. Mine was plain and dull for years. Then I added shiplap, and now I smile when I walk in.

The boards make the walls look neat and clean.

You can paint the shiplap white for a fresh look. Or try a soft blue if you want a calm feel. I like white because it hides dust and looks bright.

A laundry room gets wet and warm a lot. Shiplap holds up well if you paint it with the right paint. Use a paint made for damp rooms, and it will last for years.

I put shiplap on the wall behind my washer and dryer.

It turned a boring spot into the best part of the room. Now I fold clothes there and do not mind the chore at all. My kids even like to help me sort socks there now.

Keep the look simple. One wall is enough in a small room. Too much wood can make a tiny room feel full.

Add a small shelf above the shiplap wall. You can keep soap and softener jars there. It looks tidy and it makes the work easy.

If your laundry room is small, light paint is your friend. White or cream shiplap makes the room feel bigger. And you will enjoy the space much more than before.

20. Shiplap Wall in a Reading Nook

A cozy reading nook with a white shiplap wall, a beige boucle armchair draped with a cream throw, a small wooden side table holding a plain blank book and a potted plant, and a woven rug on the floor.

A reading nook is my favorite spot in the house. A shiplap wall makes it feel warm and safe, like a small hug. I sit there with a book and a cup of tea.

Pick one wall for the shiplap. The wall behind your chair works best.

Paint it a soft color, like warm white or light sage. Dark paint can feel too heavy in a small nook. Light paint keeps the light in the room.

I added a small cushion and a soft blanket to my nook. The shiplap wall behind me makes it feel like a real little room. You can do the same with just a chair and a pillow.

A small lamp on the wall looks so sweet against shiplap.

The light falls soft on the wood lines, and the whole nook glows at night. It is the best place to read before bed. I go there every night now.

If you have a window in your nook, put shiplap on the wall next to it. The sun will hit the wood and make it look alive. You will want to sit there all day.

Keep the shelves small. One or two shelves are enough for your books. Too many shelves make a small nook feel busy.

A reading nook does not need much to feel special. Shiplap, a soft chair, and a good book are all you need. Try it this weekend, and you will see what I mean.

21. Shiplap in the Hallway

A long bright hallway with white shiplap walls, a wooden bench holding a woven basket, a round mirror with a light wood frame, and a potted plant in a plain white pot on the floor.

Hallways are easy to forget. They are just a path from one room to the next. But shiplap can make a hallway feel like a real part of your home.

I painted my hallway shiplap a soft white. It made the long narrow space feel bright and open. Now guests say nice things when they walk through it.

A long hallway looks best with shiplap on one side only.

If you do both sides, it can feel like a tunnel. One side gives you the charm without the tight feel. Pick the side with no doors if you can.

Hang a few frames on the shiplap wall. Family photos or simple art look great on the wood lines. The wall feels warm and full of life.

You can also add a small bench at the end of the hall. It gives you a spot to sit and put on shoes. The shiplap behind it makes the bench look like it belongs there.

Hallways get a lot of bumps from bags and shoes. Shiplap is tough, and a small mark is easy to paint over. That is one more reason I love it in a busy hall.

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If your hallway is dark, keep the shiplap light. White or cream paint will bounce the light around. A dark color will make it feel like a cave.

Do not rush the job. Measure twice and cut once. A neat hallway wall is worth the slow work, and you will pass it with a smile every day.

22. Shiplap in a Rental Home

A bright living room with white peel-and-stick shiplap panels on one wall, a beige sofa with plain cushions, a roll of the same shiplap panels leaning against the wall, and a small potted plant on a wooden side table.

Can you put shiplap in a rental home? Yes, you can, and you do not need to harm the walls. I did it in my rental, and my landlord was happy with the result.

Ask your landlord first. Show them a photo of what you want to do. Most landlords say yes when they see how neat it looks.

Use peel and stick shiplap boards. They go on easy and come off clean when you move out. They look real, and no one will guess they are not wood.

You can also use foam boards that are light and cheap. They stick with small strips, and they leave no holes at all. I used them in my first rental, and they worked so well.

Put shiplap on just one wall.

A small wall behind a bed or a desk is enough to change the whole room. You get the charm, and you can take it down in one hour when you move.

Keep your boards light in color. White or pale gray fits any room. And it will match the stuff you already own.

When you move out, peel the boards off slow and clean. Use a hair dryer to warm the glue if a board sticks hard. The wall stays clean, and you get your deposit back.

A rental home can still feel like your own home. A shiplap wall is a small change with a big feel. Try it, and your room will feel like you.

23. Shiplap with Built-in Shelves

A living room with a white shiplap wall holding built-in wooden shelves filled with plain blank books and small potted plants, a beige sofa below, and a woven rug.

Built-in shelves and shiplap are a great team. The shelves give you storage, and the shiplap gives you charm. Together they make a wall look made for your home.

Start with the shiplap on the back wall. Then add the shelves on top of it. The wood lines behind the shelves make each shelf look neat and pretty.

I built shelves in my living room with shiplap behind them. Now my books and vases have a lovely home. Guests always ask who made it for me.

Keep the shelves the same color as the shiplap. Or paint them one shade darker for a soft contrast. Both looks work, so pick the one you like best.

Do not fill every shelf to the top.

Leave some space so the shiplap can show through. A few books, a plant, and one vase are enough. The empty space is part of the charm.

Use the shelves for things you use each day. Books, baskets, and small boxes fit well. It keeps the room tidy and makes the wall work hard for you.

If you want a built-in look, add a small trim around the shelves. It hides the edges and makes the shelves look like they grew from the wall. Paint the trim the same color, and no one will see the join.

This idea takes a bit more time than a plain wall. But the end result is worth it. You will have storage and beauty on one wall, and you will love it every day.

24. Shiplap in the Sunroom

A bright sunroom with white shiplap walls, tall windows with sheer white curtains, a beige sofa with plain cushions, a wooden coffee table holding a plain white vase with green sprigs, and many potted green plants around the room.

A sunroom is full of light and air. Shiplap fits there so well. The wood looks warm in the sun, and the room feels like a calm porch.

Paint the shiplap white or a pale green. Light colors keep the room bright. They also let the sun do the work of making the room glow.

I put shiplap on the wall behind my sunroom chairs. Now I drink my morning tea there and watch the birds in the yard. It is my happy place.

Sunrooms can get hot in the day and cool at night. Shiplap can take that change well if you seal it with paint. Make sure the paint covers every edge.

Add soft chairs and light cushions.

The wood wall makes the soft chairs look even softer. It is a nice mix of hard wood and soft cloth. You will want to nap there on a warm day.

Hang a small mirror on the shiplap wall. It will catch the sun and send light around the room. The room will feel twice as big.

Keep plants near the windows if you have them. The green leaves look so fresh against white wood. It feels like a small garden inside your home.

A sunroom should feel easy and slow. Shiplap helps it feel that way. Sit down, take a breath, and enjoy the sun on the wood.

25. Two-Tone Shiplap Walls

An elegant hallway with white shiplap on the upper wall and soft sage green shiplap on the lower half, a wooden bench holding a woven basket with a folded beige throw, and a potted eucalyptus plant in a plain white pot.

Two-tone shiplap means two colors on one wall. It sounds bold, but it looks so good. I tried it, and now it is my favorite wall in the house.

The most loved mix is white on top and a soft color below. A pale blue or sage green below looks calm and fresh. The white on top keeps the room bright.

You can split the wall in half with a small rail. Paint below the rail one color, and above the rail white. The rail hides the join and makes the wall look neat.

Try a dark color below if you want a strong look. Navy or deep green feels rich and warm. But keep the top white, or the room will feel dark.

Two-tone works well in a dining room.

The lower color hides marks from chairs and hands. The upper white keeps the room light for meals. It is pretty and it is smart too.

Pick colors you already have in the room. Look at your rug, your curtains, or your chairs. One of those colors will work well on the wall.

Test the paint on a small board first. Put the board on the wall and look at it in the day and at night. Light changes how a color looks, so test it well.

Do not be scared to try two colors. It is just paint, and you can change it later. But I think you will love it and keep it for years.

26. Shiplap Costs: What to Expect

A bright room corner with a neat stack of plain light-wood shiplap boards leaning against the wall, a paint can with a completely blank white label, a small wooden stool, and a potted plant in a stone pot.

Shiplap does not have to cost a lot. I did my first wall for less than I thought. Let me show you what to expect so you can plan well.

Shiplap boards cost $40 to $120 for one wall. The price changes with the size of the wall and the type of wood you pick. Cheap pine boards cost less than fancy wood.

Paint and primer cost $25 to $50. You need one can of primer and one can of paint for most walls. Pick a paint made for wood so it sticks well.

Nails and adhesive cost $10 to $20. You need small nails and a tube of glue to hold the boards tight. Buy a bit extra so you do not run out mid-job.

Tools (saw, level) cost $30 to $60 if you need to buy them. A saw and a level are the two big ones. If you borrow them from a friend, you can save this whole cost.

The total DIY cost is $105 to $250 for one wall. That is much less than paying a pro. And you get the joy of saying you made it yourself.

A pro can cost much more, but a small wall is a good first job for you. Start small, learn the steps, and you will feel brave for the next wall. I started with one wall, and now I have done four.

Save money by buying boards in a pack. Packs cost less than single boards. And check for sales at your local store before you buy.

Plan your budget before you start. Write down each cost, buy what you need, and keep the receipts. A small plan makes the whole job feel easy.

Item Cost
Shiplap boards $40 to $120
Paint and primer $25 to $50
Nails and adhesive $10 to $20
Tools (saw, level) $30 to $60
Total DIY $105 to $250

27. How to Care for Shiplap Walls

A bright living room with a clean white shiplap wall, a beige sofa with plain cushions, and a wooden side table holding a small woven basket of folded plain cleaning cloths beside a potted plant.

Shiplap is easy to care for. A little dust and a quick wipe are all it needs most weeks. I spend five minutes on mine, and it looks new.

Dust the boards once a week with a dry cloth. Start at the top and work down. The dust falls down, so you get it all in one go.

For a deeper clean, use a damp cloth with a drop of mild soap. Wipe each board soft and slow. Then dry it with a clean cloth so no water stays on the wood.

Do not soak the wood with water. Too much water can harm the paint and the boards. A damp cloth is enough, never a wet one.

Check the paint once a year.

Look for small chips or marks near doors and chairs. Touch them up with a small brush and the same paint. It takes ten minutes, and the wall looks fresh again.

Keep the room dry if you can. Open a window or run a fan after a steamy shower. Dry air keeps the wood strong and the paint bright.

If a board comes loose, fix it fast. Add a small nail and a drop of glue, then paint over the spot. A quick fix now saves a big fix later.

Shiplap will last for years if you care for it well. Dust it, wipe it, and touch up the paint when you need to. Your wall will thank you with years of charm.

Keep Reading

If you liked these ideas, you will love these posts too.

Pick one wall this weekend and give it shiplap. You will love how warm and charming the whole room feels.

Hi, I'm Sophie Lane! I love turning houses into cosy, organised homes without spending a fortune. Here I share simple DIY ideas, budget makeovers and clever storage hacks that actually work in real life.

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