Shiplap is a design element that works well with most styles. Whether you have a coastal, modern farmhouse, traditional, or blended style home, shiplap can add beauty to any room.
Using white shiplap for your ceilings maximizes natural light and makes the room feel larger. Use wood rafters to break up an all-white shiplap for added decorative flair.
1. Accent Walls
When used as an accent wall, shiplap adds texture and character to any space. It can be painted or left naturally, and either way, it transforms the room. It is also a great way to cover up an ugly popcorn ceiling. The modern farmhouse look that Joanna Gaines has popularized on her show Fixer Upper has resurrected this design element, and it’s becoming more widely used in home interiors.
When installing shiplap, it is important to use a high-quality material that can withstand the weight of drywall or sheetrock, and it should be painted to match your home’s style. Typically, solid wood shiplap is used, but MDF (medium-density fiberboards) can be an alternative. Both materials can receive stain; however, solid wood is a more durable material that can stand up to the elements.
Before drywall and sheetrock became commonplace, shiplap was often utilized as a base layer in walls, but now it is used as a decorative surface. It is often painted white but can be stained for a more rustic appearance.
A vaulted ceiling can be dressed in shiplap for a rustic and elegant look. A beautiful example can be seen in this dining room by McKee Builders, where the shiplap is complemented by the wooden beams and lighting.
Another variation on this idea is to utilize tongue and groove cladding to clad a vaulted ceiling. Although it looks similar to shiplap, it is a more durable material that can withstand the weight of a ceiling. To install, simply measure your ceiling and determine the square footage needed for planks. You can then purchase the corresponding amount of material like this tongue and groove pine from Lowe’s. Remember to let the wood acclimate before you start installation.
2. Wainscoting
Wainscoting (also known as wainscotting) is a decorative wall paneling that covers the lower part of an interior wall. It can deliver big on texture, color, and personality — especially when finished with a chair rail or molding. It also offers resiliency and durability in high-traffic areas like hallways and dining rooms and can be a great alternative to wallpaper or paint.
Wainscotting can be made of wood or a more durable material such as vinyl or drywall. The best choice depends on the overall aesthetic you want to achieve in your home. For example, natural wooden shiplap can provide a rustic, farmhouse feel that pairs well with open shelving or light wood furniture for a contemporary and put-together look. Conversely, vinyl wainscoting can add a sleek and modern edge that works beautifully with modern kitchen cabinets.
The shiplap style you choose for your ceiling will also depend on your desired aesthetic. You can use traditional shiplap that overlaps or tongue and groove cladding. Tongue and groove boards lock into each other, making them easier to install on slanted or vaulted ceilings. It’s important to carefully measure your space before ordering the planks to ensure that you have enough to cover your ceiling. If you’re unsure about how much to purchase, consider ordering a little extra to account for mistakes and waste.
If you’re going to use shiplap on your walls and ceilings, you can even mix it up by installing it vertically on the ceiling and horizontally on the walls. This will create a contrast that’s sure to catch people’s attention. For instance, white painted shiplap can infuse your space with a crisp and clean feel, while natural wood shiplap can evoke a mellow rustic charm.
3. Vaulted Ceilings
Vaulted ceilings offer more room for decorative touches and add a sense of openness to a space. While this type of ceiling often adds visual interest to a room, it can also lead to higher energy bills due to extra air space that needs to be heated and cooled. Incorporating shiplap in a vaulted ceiling adds both texture and style that can help to minimize these costs.
For an especially bright and airy look, a white shiplap is a great option for vaulted ceilings. This clean and simple style is especially effective when paired with other ceiling elements that offer a bit of contrast. For example, in this living space, dark-painted wooden beams offer high contrast against the white walls and ceiling shiplap. The natural wood grain and warm color of the beams also help to draw attention to the vaulted ceiling and accentuate the room’s height.
Another way to incorporate shiplap in a vaulted ceiling is by using a natural wood stain to add a warm and rustic touch. In this living room, the natural wood shiplap ties in with the other rustic elements throughout the space, including repurposed furniture and a barn door. The warmth of the wood helps to balance out the bright white shiplap and offers a cozy atmosphere for entertaining and relaxing.
Before beginning a vaulted shiplap project, it is important to properly measure the space and select the proper materials for the job. For example, it’s best to use MDF shiplap instead of traditional wood for an easy installation process and to avoid potential issues with knots and cracks. MDF also takes paint much better than real wood, and it is easier to cut. When choosing planks for a vaulted ceiling, be sure to purchase enough to cover the entire area, plus an additional 10% for waste and mistakes. Dry fitting the boards is also a good idea to ensure that everything fits together properly.
4. Kitchen Backsplash
A white shiplap backsplash helps to brighten the room and maximize light reflection. It also helps to draw the eye up and highlight other decorative elements like this wrought iron pendant light and open shelves. The kitchen ceiling in this cottage-style space by @candlewoodcottage also features a horizontal shiplap, tying the entire space together for a clean and classic look.
When installing a shiplap ceiling in a room with slanted walls, homeowners can choose to use tongue and groove cladding or a creative herringbone pattern. Both options add visual interest and create a unique look that stands out from standard ceilings.
If you’re interested in a more rustic and textured shiplap ceiling, consider using wood instead of MDF. This type of material is more durable and offers a more natural feel to the space. Wood can be painted or stained to match the rest of the room’s décor and color palette.
Wooden beams can be used to tie the shiplap ceiling in with the exposed ceiling joists, creating a unified design. This technique is particularly popular with vaulted ceilings and works well when the shiplap is painted to match the beams.
Rather than a painted shiplap ceiling, some homeowners choose to leave theirs naturally colored for a more authentic and timeless effect. This approach can also help to reduce the cost of installation and prevent the walls from becoming dated over time. When installed in living rooms or family spaces, this style looks especially striking when paired with hardwood flooring.
5. Living Room
Ceilings are often neglected when it comes to design, but using shiplap on your living room walls and ceilings will elevate your interior space. The material adds a rustic or modern aesthetic to your room, depending on the color and finish you choose. White-painted shiplap infuses a sleek, contemporary vibe, while natural wooden shiplap evokes mellow rustic delight.
Before drywall and sheetrock became commonplace, shiplap was used as an insulation layer, protecting the structure from water damage or insects. Today, shiplap is commonly used as a decorative accent, elevating a living area by adding texture and contrasting the style of your furnishings and décor.
Whether you opt for the natural look of a stained or bare wood shiplap ceiling or the clean lines and light color of a painted one, the visual intrigue it brings to your room will enhance your furnishings and decor. If you’re using a stain, opt for a lighter color to allow the wood grain to shine through. If you’re going for a painted shiplap ceiling, use a color that coordinates with your furniture and other décor to produce a cohesive feel.
While horizontal shiplap is well-suited for flat ceilings to achieve uniformity, vaulted ceilings look spectacular, with a diagonal pattern on either side of the room, meeting at the highest point. Jill Holmes @holmessweethome_615 on Instagram incorporated white-painted shiplap into her vaulted ceiling to showcase a beautiful chandelier and open shelves.
When installing shiplap on your ceiling, it’s best to prime and sand any exposed joists first. You can also add a coat of caulk to prevent moisture from seeping under your planks. Lastly, you’ll want to make sure the planks are glued properly. For this, use a high-moisture-resistant MDF (preferred) or PVC.
