Does shiplap make a room look bigger or smaller?

Author: Matilde Pagac  |  Last update: Sunday, February 16, 2025

Does wider shiplap make a room look bigger? Yes. Wider planks can give the illusion of more space by drawing your eye along their length and creating horizontal lines.

When not to use shiplap?

Shiplap is Not Waterproof or Moisture Resistant

Shiplap made from natural wood isn't waterproof and areas where moisture could cause damage should be avoided.

Should I shiplap an entire room?

If you don't have the architecture for it, you could use it in isolated rooms in smaller applications if you must (below), but I would not recommend installing it all over your living room walls, or your kitchen backsplash or your fireplace unless the look of the rest of the house absolutely supports it.

What are the downsides of shiplap?

Cons of Shiplap
  • A big complaint from those with shiplap in their homes is that it is a magnet for dust. Dust will settle in the gaps and grooves and can make the space look dirty.
  • If not installed correctly, shiplap can warp or rot. ...
  • Shiplap can make a home look cliche if it doesn't fit with the rest of the decor.

What is the new trend instead of shiplap?

Faux-brick paneling may be a great shiplap alternative for you. It is better for renters as it is easy to install (just peel and stick) and easy to take down without damaging the wall underneath. Faux-brick paneling can be an easy DIY, saving you the costs of installation.

COMMON INTERIOR DESIGN MISTAKES + How to Fix Them | Accent Walls Dos and Don'ts

Is shiplap out of style in 2024 living room?

Shiplap has long been celebrated for its rustic charm and farmhouse appeal, but in 2024, it's taking on a fresh, modern twist.

What are people using instead of shiplap?

6 Shiplap Alternatives To Elevate Your Walls
  • Reeded or Fluted Wood Panels. Reeded or fluted panels add a timeless and understated texture to your walls. ...
  • Reclaimed Wood Planking. Looking for sustainability and character? ...
  • Nickel Gap Boards. ...
  • Board & Batten. ...
  • Herringbone Patterned Wood. ...
  • Applied Moulding.

What looks like shiplap but is cheaper?

5 Alternative Materials for Shiplap Ceilings
  • Beadboard. Beadboard is a type of paneling made from narrow boards or panels with a series of evenly spaced, convex-shaped beads or grooves along one edge of each board. ...
  • PVC Panels. ...
  • Tongue and Groove Paneling. ...
  • Wood Look-Alike Panels. ...
  • Painted Plywood or MDF Panels.

Does shiplap increase home value?

Shiplap adds marketability and some value to your home

“I've seen a 5% increase in value when a home is decked out in trim,” she notes. “I think shiplap can add value to the home because it creates a more customized feature rather than generic drywall.

What looks better horizontal or vertical shiplap?

While vertical shiplap can make a room appear larger, horizontal shiplap can widen the look of a room, like in this powder room. Although it's a small room, the horizontal shiplap treatment broadens the look. Horizontal shiplap can look more modern than vertical shiplap.

Does wider shiplap make a room look bigger?

Does wider shiplap make a room look bigger? Yes. Wider planks can give the illusion of more space by drawing your eye along their length and creating horizontal lines.

Is it expensive to shiplap a room?

The average cost of installing shiplap ranges from $550 - $1500 per room, depending on the materials used and complexity of your project. In contrast, peel-and-stick fabric wallpaper typically costs around $100 - $200 per room.

Should you leave a gap between shiplap boards?

Shiplap doesn't require gaps between boards since it utilizes an overlapping rabbet joint design that creates a seamless appearance, but you can customize gap width if desired.

Is shiplap a dying trend?

She says shiplap requests “have definitely cooled off” in the last year. “We've even had clients eliminate it at the last minute, worried it was too trendy,” Conte adds. Designers who participated in Apartment Therapy's 2024 design trend prediction survey agreed, saying this is the year to say goodbye to shiplap.

Should I use 6 or 8 inch shiplap?

1x6 shiplap boards are the most commonly used width of shiplap. Smaller than the 1x8 inch width, this 6-inch shiplap size provides the most classic, versatile look. For best optimization of the nickel gap reveal, use in small to medium sized rooms.

Where does shiplap look best?

The Best Places to Use Shiplap in Your Home
  • Mudroom / Entryway. Bright white shiplap can be used to great effect in a small place, lightening up a mudroom or entryway.
  • Kitchen Backsplash. Shiplap is a great modern alternative to kitchen tile backsplash. ...
  • Accent Wall in Bedroom or Living Room.

Is shiplap trendy or timeless?

Try painting your planks or using different materials. It's a simple way to make your home feel new again. In the realm of design, trends are always shifting. But shiplap is a timeless addition.

Does Joanna Gaines like shiplap?

It's no secret that Chip and Joanna Gaines are fans of designing with shiplap, a rough-sawn pine paneling often used in barns and historic homes. Get shiplap ideas from some of the most spectacular ways the 'Fixer Upper' stars have used this versatile material.

Is it cheaper to drywall or shiplap?

Drywall panels are generally cheaper than shiplap, costing between $1.50 and $3.00 per square foot. * However, for DIY installation, additional materials like joint tape, joint compound (drywall mud), and sanding equipment are necessary.

What is replacing shiplap 2025?

Refined, clean-lined designs are replacing shiplap walls, barn doors, and rustic accents. More vibrant and colorful spaces are replacing the gray-on-gray trend. Warmer tones like beige, taupe, and jewel tones are starting to emerge, moving away from the cool, monochromatic palettes that have dominated in recent years.

Is shiplap or tongue and groove better?

Comparing Performance

Whilst both tongue and groove or shiplap provide decent protection from the elements, it is often said that the former performs slightly better under extreme weather conditions. The tightness of their joint system ensures there are fewer leakages of air and rainwater compared to other sidings.

Can you make shiplap look modern?

Get 'Em Glossy

"I've painted shiplap high gloss before, and that gives it a very contemporary look, but you still get the shiplap texture, which is key," says Arnold. His tip for an über modern look: Cover an entire room in shiplap, and paint it in high-gloss white.

Is shiplap or beadboard better?

Shiplap paneling creates a clean and modern look that works well in contemporary spaces, while beadboard wainscoting adds a touch of classic charm to traditional or farmhouse-style interiors.

Is shiplap too farmhouse?

Shiplap isn't just for the Modern Farmhouse design

“It's a detail that works pretty well transitionally, so you can use it in a lot of different style homes,” said Alison Sall, an interior designer in Holland, Mich. “You've got to look at everything around it and see how it will fit.”

Can you do shiplap without drywall?

If don't already have drywall installed, you do not need it as a base for affixing shiplap. You can install shiplap directly to your studs to save on time, money, and mess.

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