10 Shiplap Ideas for Living Rooms: Personal tips and real-world examples to inspire your shiplap living room design

Over the past few years, shiplap has gone from farmhouse-only to a versatile wall treatment embraced in modern, coastal, and even minimalist interiors. As someone who’s redesigned multiple small living rooms, I’ve found that a shiplap wall can instantly add depth, warmth, and character without overwhelming the space. Small spaces truly inspire big creativity, and today, I’m sharing 10 shiplap ideas for living rooms — all drawn from real projects and backed by practical design know-how.

1. Classic White Horizontal Shiplap

My Take: I once brightened a dark, narrow living room simply by adding crisp white horizontal shiplap on the feature wall — it immediately opened up the space.

Pros: White shiplap reflects light, making the room feel more expansive; it pairs beautifully with any decor style. According to the National Association of Home Builders, lighter wall finishes can help visually expand rooms up to 20%.

Cons: White walls show dust and scuffs more easily — keep a magic eraser handy.

Tip: For a balanced look, keep adjacent walls in a warmer neutral to avoid a sterile feel. In one project, I combined it with a minimalist storage-focused living room layout to free up floor space.

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2. Vertical Shiplap for Height Illusion

My Take: A low-ceiling client’s living room went from cramped to airy by installing vertical shiplap painted a soft gray.

Pros: Directs the eye upward, creating an illusion of higher ceilings — perfect for basement living rooms or older homes with low clearance.

Cons: Vertical lines can look busy in an already tall and narrow room.

Budget Note: Pre-primed panels can save time and cost on painting.

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3. Natural Wood Shiplap Accent Wall

My Take: I love how warm tones of oak or cedar give a living room immediate coziness and a lived-in feel.

Pros: Adds warmth, texture, and a natural focal point; complements bohemian and Scandinavian styles well.

Cons: Needs sealing to avoid warping or staining over time.

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4. Two-Tone Shiplap Wall

My Take: In a modern living room, I painted the lower half navy and kept the upper half white for a chic contrast.

Pros: Visually breaks up the space, allows color play without overpowering; works well with open-plan layouts.

Cons: Requires precise measuring to keep lines even — not ideal for first-time DIYers.

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5. Shiplap Fireplace Surround

My Take: Updating a brick fireplace with sleek shiplap completely transformed the focal point of the room.

Pros: Unifies the fireplace with the rest of the living space; creates a clean backdrop for mantle decor.

Cons: Heat exposure can limit material choices — always confirm fire safety standards.

Design Idea: A client paired this with mid-century furniture and strategically placed plants for balance.

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6. Coastal-Style Shiplap with Soft Blues

My Take: Soft blue-painted shiplap instantly brought seaside calm to an urban apartment.

Pros: Adds a serene, airy feel; blends beautifully with wicker and linen textures.

Cons: Blue tones may clash with certain wood stains; test samples beforehand.

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7. Diagonal Shiplap Feature

My Take: A small square living room got visual dynamism when we installed shiplap in a chevron style.

Pros: Adds movement and modern flair; transforms a simple wall into a talking point.

Cons: Waste material can be higher due to angled cuts.

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8. Floor-to-Ceiling Shiplap Bookshelf Backing

My Take: I love backing open bookshelves with shiplap — it frames the books and decor beautifully.

Pros: Gives depth to shelving displays; easy to update with paint over time.

Cons: May require deeper shelves to account for panel thickness.

Case Idea: Works wonderfully with an open-plan living room layout with integrated storage.

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9. Rustic Weathered Shiplap Wall

My Take: Some reclaimed planks tell a story — knots, dents, and all. I embraced them in a cabin-style condo redesign.

Pros: Eco-friendly reuse; high on character and texture.

Cons: Surface may be uneven, making art hanging trickier.

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10. Painted Black Shiplap for Drama

My Take: A daring client wanted sophistication — black-painted shiplap gave us exactly that.

Pros: High contrast; creates an intimate, gallery-like feel.

Cons: Can visually shrink small rooms; best used on a single accent wall.

Finishing Touch: Combine with brass lighting for elegance, similar to how we treated a bold accent wall in a compact loft.

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Summary

Shiplap in a living room is about smart design, not constraint. Whether you go natural, painted, or patterned, there’s a shiplap style to suit every aesthetic and space size. As HGTV notes, wall treatments like shiplap can be a cost-effective way to add personality without major renovation. Which of these 10 shiplap ideas would you love to try?

FAQ

1. What is the best color for shiplap in a small living room?

Light neutrals like white, soft gray, or pale blue help reflect light and create a sense of openness.

2. Can I put shiplap on every wall?

You can, but for small rooms, an accent wall is often better to avoid overwhelming the space.

3. Is shiplap expensive to install?

Cost varies; DIY with MDF or pine boards is budget-friendly, while hardwood or reclaimed wood is pricier.

4. Can shiplap be used with modern style?

Yes — pairing shiplap with clean lines, metal accents, and neutral colors keeps it modern and fresh.

5. How to maintain painted shiplap walls?

Regular dusting and gentle cleaning help. Satin or semi-gloss finishes are easier to wipe down.

6. Is vertical shiplap harder to install than horizontal?

Slightly, as each board needs precise leveling, but the height-enhancing effect can be worth it.

7. Can shiplap hide uneven walls?

Yes, it can disguise minor imperfections — this is why many renovators love it (example from my past project shows this in kitchen-to-living transitions).

8. Does shiplap work with built-in shelving?

Absolutely — it creates a custom, high-end look when used as backing for built-ins.