5 Shiplap Laundry Room Ideas: Practical, stylish shiplap ideas to transform small laundry rooms

I’ll never forget the client who wanted a farmhouse laundry room — but insisted it stay modern and tiny enough to fit her ironing board vertically in a cabinet. I made mistakes (shiplap too close to a hot dryer vent once), learned fast, and now I use simple tricks to avoid the same pitfalls — and I often ask people to visualize the layout before buying lumber. Small spaces really do spark big creativity.

1. Classic White Vertical Shiplap with Floating Shelf

I love vertical shiplap in a laundry nook because it reads taller and cleaner than horizontal boards. A single floating shelf above the washer-dryer stack keeps detergents out of sight and gives you a spot for a plant that survives the humidity — pros: bright, timeless, and easy to repaint; con: white shows scuffs, so semi-gloss paint is my go-to.

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2. Narrow Horizontal Shiplap to Emphasize Width

If your laundry room is long and narrow, laying narrower shiplap boards horizontally can trick the eye into seeing more width. I once widened a long galley laundry with this trick and a runner rug; budget-friendly and effective, though installation needs careful leveling to avoid a wavy look.

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3. Painted Contrast Wall + Durable Tile Base

Pair shiplap on the upper two-thirds of the wall with a washable tile splash near the floor and behind the sink — the mix looks intentional and handles sprays and scuffs. When you plan cabinet and appliance clearances, it helps to plan cabinet layout in advance so your shiplap stops neatly around utilities. A small challenge: transitions between wood and tile need a good trim detail to avoid trapping moisture.

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4. Shiplap Ceiling and Upper Clerestory for Light

I sometimes run shiplap across the ceiling into a small clerestory or transom area to bounce light back into the room. It’s a more daring choice that makes the space feel finished and intentional; downside is slightly higher material cost and installation complexity, but the payoff in coziness is real.

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5. Half-Wall Shiplap with Built-In Folding Counter

For multifunctional spaces, I do shiplap on the bottom half of the wall with a built-in folding counter above the machines, then paint the upper wall a coordinating color. It hides scuffs lower down and gives you a useful work surface — note that counters need water-resistant edging near the sink, and you can always generate a scaled floor plan to test counter depths before cutting plywood.

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FAQ

Q1: Is shiplap OK in a humid laundry room?

I recommend sealed or painted shiplap and good ventilation; use semi-gloss or satin paint for easier cleaning. Keep wood off direct splash zones or install tile where water exposure is highest.

Q2: What paint finish works best on shiplap in a laundry space?

Semi-gloss or satin finishes resist moisture and scrub cleaning better than flat paints, and they highlight the board seams nicely. Avoid high-gloss unless you love glare.

Q3: Can shiplap be installed over drywall?

Yes — many of my small-job installs mount shiplap over drywall using adhesive and finishing nails, but make sure walls are flat and any plumbing access panels remain reachable. For rental units, consider removable panels or thinner shiplap options.

Q4: How do I prevent mold with shiplap?

Control moisture with an exhaust fan vented to the outside and keep humidity low; according to the U.S. EPA (https://www.epa.gov/mold), moisture control is the key to preventing mold growth in indoor spaces. Use mold-resistant primer if the room lacks great ventilation.

Q5: What’s the budget range for shiplap laundry updates?

Expect a modest refresh to start around a few hundred dollars for DIY paint-and-shelf jobs; professional installs and premium boards push costs higher. I always tell clients to price both materials and labor — cutting corners on moisture protection costs more later.

Q6: Can I mix shiplap with storage systems?

Absolutely — shiplap pairs well with floating cabinets, cubbies, and peg rails. Just plan for service access to hookups and avoid sealing boards so tightly that you can’t adjust shelves later.

Q7: Is painted shiplap easier to maintain than stained?

Paint hides imperfections and is easier to touch up, which is why I favor painted shiplap in laundry areas; stain can look richer but shows wear more obviously and can be harder to refresh.

Q8: Any quick tips for first-timers?

Measure twice, buy a bit more material than you think, and test paint on a scrap board in the actual room light. If you’re unsure about layout, mock it up with paper templates or digital tools to avoid costly mistakes.

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