{"id":25463,"date":"2021-07-30T07:10:39","date_gmt":"2021-07-30T14:10:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=25463"},"modified":"2026-04-09T05:14:46","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T12:14:46","slug":"shiplap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/shiplap\/","title":{"rendered":"The Skinny on Shiplap: Everything You Need to Know to Get the Look"},"content":{"rendered":"

Shiplap is today\u2019s hottest molding trend. Period.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m doing it in in my home currently on my ceilings and walls in my bathroom,\u201d shares Amy Rio, a top real estate agent in Glastonbury, Connecticut with over 34 years of experience selling homes.<\/p>\n

\u201cTrim and shiplap are like jewelry on a girl: You\u2019re either plain or dazzling. Shiplap is fabulous!\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Like crown molding, chair rails, and wainscoting, shiplap adds dimension to rooms \u2014 giving them a covetable \u201cfinished\u201d look. Versatile in design and function, shiplap complements almost every interior design style. Industrial<\/a>? Check. Modern farmhouse<\/a>? Check. A beachy cottage<\/a>? Check. A shiplap accent wall instantly elevates a room. And, best of all, shiplap is relatively easy and affordable to install.<\/p>\n

With guidance from Rio and a pro interior designer, we\u2019ll explore the shiplap trend and share everything you need to know to bring this design feature home.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
<\/a> Source: (Vidar Nordli-Mathisen \/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Shiplap\u2019s voyage from high seas to residential homes<\/h2>\n

As the name suggests, shiplap was originally designed for ships<\/a> over 1,700 years ago during the times of the Vikings<\/a>. Shiplap is composed of longboards that overlap tightly, forming watertight siding perfect for ship hulls.<\/p>\n

In the early 1900s, homebuilders began using shiplap to strengthen exteriors of seaside properties against the elements. Builders viewed the siding as functional, not stylish, and covered shiplap with wallpaper or drywall. It\u2019s not uncommon for homeowners and designers to uncover shiplap when opening up walls in older homes today.<\/p>\n

Shiplap has catapulted to popularity in recent years and is featured in homes around the world and across the Internet. The hashtags #shiplap<\/a> and #shiplapwalls<\/a> are trending on social media with 613,012 and 108,078 mentions, respectively.<\/p>\n

If you love the look and aren\u2019t lucky enough to uncover old shiplap lurking beneath your walls, have no fear. We\u2019ll steer you through the process of adding a shiplap accent wall to your interior.<\/p>\n

Shiplap costs vary by room size and material<\/h2>\n

Depending on the type of material you use, a shiplap wall can be inexpensive or costly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Shiplap material and labor<\/b><\/td>\nAverage cost<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Shiplap boards<\/td>\n$2.50 – $7 per square foot<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pre-primed MDF boards<\/td>\n$5 – $20 per square foot<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Installation labor<\/td>\n$1,000+<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

(Source: <\/i>HomeAdvisor)<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cShiplap cost varies on material, where you purchase, and unfortunately in this climate with the fluctuating cost of lumber in general,\u201d shares designer Megan Oldenburger of Dichotomy Interiors<\/a>, who boasts over 13 years of interior design experience in Hudson Valley, New York.<\/p>\n

According to HomeAdvisor, shiplap boards cost between $2.50 and $7 per square foot<\/a>. You can also mimic shiplap boards with pre-primed MDF boards (which cost a bit more, ranging from $5 to $20 per square foot depending on size<\/a>), pinewood planks, or strips of plywood.<\/p>\n

\u201cI use both traditional shiplap and pine mostly,\u201d Oldenburger comments. \u201cWhen I have used pine, I tend to either whitewash or paint it.\u201d<\/p>\n

If you use any of these materials instead of true shiplap, you\u2019ll need to precisely space the planks to achieve the look.<\/p>\n

Shiplap labor cost<\/h3>\n

On average, installation costs $1,000 and up per room, depending on the size of the project.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m doing a large room \u2014 10-by-10 \u2014 and I\u2019m hiring professionals to install shiplap for around $3,500 with materials,\u201d Rio shares for example. But she adds that many big box stores have DIY instructions for the installation of shiplap walls on their websites<\/a>. So, if you\u2019re feeling ambitious, you can save on labor by going DIY.<\/p>\n

Although it\u2019s less expensive to do-it-yourself, you need to have the right tools (a table saw, stud finder, level, and nail gun) and an entire weekend to build and install a shiplap wall.<\/p>\n

Shiplap adds marketability and some value to your home<\/h2>\n

Will a shiplap wall add value to your home? While there\u2019s no data currently available to answer this question quantitatively, our experts agree that shiplap positively impacts home value.<\/p>\n

Rio says that she has seen an increase in value with homes that have trim like shiplap. \u201cI\u2019ve seen a 5% increase in value when a home is decked out in trim,\u201d she notes.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think shiplap can add value to the home because it creates a more customized feature rather than generic drywall. Any customization to your home can increase value,\u201d Oldenburger weighs in.<\/p>\n

While shiplap may not drastically raise the value of your home, this desirable feature can significantly increase its marketability. Buyers note custom features when comparing properties \u2014 your shiplap wall\u2019s beauty may help encourage offers.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
<\/a> Source: (Carla Bullock \/ Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Elevate these six rooms with shiplap<\/h2>\n

\u201cI have used shiplap in the past in a variety of settings,\u201d says Oldenburger. \u201cI have used them anywhere from a living room wall, or an entryway, to a pantry. I like to use them when I want to add texture and dimension to a space without adding a lot of pattern or color.\u201d<\/p>\n

Here are styling tips for six spaces to fulfill your shiplap dreams:<\/p>\n

Powder room<\/h3>\n

A small powder room<\/a> is a perfect place to experiment with shiplap walls without breaking the bank. Rio loves shiplap for powder rooms since the material is just as functional as it is stylish:<\/p>\n

\u201cI have a lot of drips in my bathroom from when you run the shower. Shiplap is washable, so you can just wipe those drips off. I am painting mine with marine paint, so it\u2019s extremely water-resistant<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

If your interior styling leans farmhouse or rustic, opt for a distressed finish. Worn-paneling adds a touch of character to your powder room and hides wear and tear.<\/p>\n

\u201cOccasionally, I have used more exotic shiplap such as cedar, teak or mahogany in bathroom applications, or when I want to create a warmer, more rustic look,\u201d Oldenburger adds.<\/p>\n

Pantry<\/h3>\n

Much like a powder room, the pantry<\/a> is typically smaller in scale, making it an excellent place to take a design. Cover every wall with shiplap for a striking, custom finish. To make your pantry items stand out, paint the shiplap in this space a light gray, like Cement Pots by Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines<\/a> or Agreeable Gray by Sherwin-Williams<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Mudroom<\/h3>\n

Shiplap is perfect for protecting mudroom walls that tend to take more beatings than other rooms in the home. Add interest and function by installing hooks, shelves, and cubbies on the paneled wall.<\/p>\n

Kitchen<\/h3>\n

More and more designers and homeowners are using shiplap in the kitchen as a backsplash or island accent, especially in farmhouse and coastal designs. Shiplap works well in the kitchen since it holds up well to grease and food splatters and is easy to wipe clean.<\/p>\n

Rio loves painting her shiplap Roman Column by Sherwin Williams<\/a>. \u201cIt\u2019s not a white, white, but a very light pearl,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

Basement<\/h3>\n

A shiplap is an excellent way to update and brighten a basement. Shiplap complements almost every interior design style, making it a perfect addition regardless of whether you use your den as a man cave, playroom, or home entertainment area.<\/p>\n

For a moody atmosphere, paint your shiplap a darker color like Blackboard by Magnolia Homes<\/a> or Pitch Black by Farrow & Ball<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy own home, which is modern, has painted black tongue and groove, which creates a graphic look, adding texture and style but in a minimalist way,\u201d Oldenburger notes.<\/p>\n

Primary bedroom<\/h3>\n

Accent walls<\/a> are trending for primary bedrooms, so slap on some shiplap behind your headboard to get the look. A shiplap accent wall is subtle \u2014 especially if you paint it a white like Benjamin Moore\u2019s White Dove<\/a> \u2014 but still makes a statement.<\/p>\n

Shiplap is a timeless finish<\/h2>\n

While shiplap is certainly having a moment in contemporary design, the material is not a trend we expect to come and go. Like crown molding, shiplap is highly versatile and timeless in nature. You can\u2019t go wrong with incorporating this material in your home.<\/p>\n

Header Image Source: (Collov Home Design \/ Unsplash)<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Shiplap is huge, but where did it stem from, how did it show up in interior design, and should you install it in your home? We answer all of these questions and more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":272,"featured_media":25483,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[323,319],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-25463","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-quick-tips","category-selling-advice"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nShiplap 101: Everything You Need to Know to Get the Look<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Shiplap is huge, but where did it stem from, how did it show up in interior design, and should you install it in your home? 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