Yes, shiplap is still in style for fireplaces, but the aesthetic has shifted. Instead of the widespread, bright-white horizontal farmhouse look popular in the mid-2010s, modern designs feature shiplap used more deliberately as a tailored, structural accent.
You'll still find the charm and detail of shiplap panels, but with options like tongue and groove wood wall planks, fluted paneling, and limewashed walls, there's a lot more to explore.
Broadly speaking, basic white shiplap is no longer the height of fashion, with designers shifting toward smoother, "old-world" finishes like limewash and textured plaster. However, shiplap can still feel stylish if used intentionally in smaller doses or updated with modern styling.
Fire Beyond the Wall
Fire is no longer confined to the usual spots: the living room wall, the bedroom corner, the outdoor patio. One of the defining fireplace trends of 2026 is the expansion of fire into spaces where it was rarely seen in the past.
It's officially time to break up with the farmhouse staple.
As designers look ahead to 2026, they're seeing lots of elegant and charm-filled wall treatments. "They are taking a sophisticated turn from the shiplap days," says interior designer Kelley Kolettis.
As we look toward 2026, one thing becomes clear: interior design is shifting toward spaces that feel meaningful, rooted, and deeply connected to the way we live. These trends highlight a collective desire for warmth, craftsmanship, and authenticity.
Cons
Gas fireplaces may add more reliable value because they appeal to a wider audience. Wood fireplaces, while charming, can be seen as high-maintenance and expensive by younger buyers.
Blend With the Room for Subtlety
You can also choose a slightly lighter or darker shade than the wall color to give the fireplace its identity without making it too prominent.
Updating an old fireplace is a high-impact, budget-friendly way to transform your living room. Popular makeovers include applying a fresh coat of high-heat paint, whitewashing or limewashing, refacing with modern tile, or building a rustic wooden overlay for a completely new focal point.
A home typically looks outdated when it features overdone, time-stamped trends from specific past decades, such as honey oak cabinetry, popcorn ceilings, or generic word art. Outdated homes also often suffer from poor lighting, worn-out flooring, and heavy window treatments that block natural light.
In 2026, the dominant wood style embraces organic warmth, moving away from cool greys and uniform finishes in favor of natural textures and earthy character.
Shiplap fireplaces blend rustic charm with a contemporary touch, making them a popular choice for homeowners. From simple white shiplap to painted designs, these fireplaces add character and warmth to any home. Choose the perfect style from these modern shiplap fireplace options to enhance your space.
2026 wall design is all about depth, grain, and a sense of visual storytelling, and wood is the perfect material for achieving that. That's what makes solid wood paneling such a stellar choice for accent walls or even as full paneling throughout interior spaces.
Gray-toned hardwood and laminate. Wide plank farmhouse-style wood. Painted floorboards. Artificial or fake-looking wood.
You don't have to take down your shiplap. You can refresh it with different paint and styling techniques. Conicella suggests that traditional white or cream shiplap may make your rooms feel outdated. For a more modern edge, you should consider going in a moodier direction with darker, earthier tones.
Cool gray is being replaced by "mushroom" neutrals (warm taupes and greys with subtle green or violet undertones), warm earthy khakis, and soft, natural sages.
To make a home look expensive, rely on sophisticated neutrals, earthy greens, or muted blues rather than stark whites or highly saturated brights. High-end spaces feel cohesive and intentional, using layered tones, natural materials, and high-quality finishes to create a calm, custom feel.
Painting or staining your mantel is a great way to add color and style to make your fireplace pop. You have a few options—sand, stain or paint, and finish your existing mantel or add a new one. To refinish a mantel, you'll need to assess its current condition.
Mixed Material Surrounds
Fireplace surrounds are becoming the focal point for being creative, and mixed materials are trending big time in 2026. Designers are combining textures like natural stone with matte metal, reclaimed wood with smooth plaster, and polished concrete with warm tile.
According to the National Association of Real Estate Appraisers, installing a fireplace can boost your home's resale value by an impressive 6% to 12%. This can be a rewarding financial decision pays off in dividends, as homeowners can often recover the entire cost of adding a fireplace.
The biggest value-adds for a home are functional square footage (like finishing a basement or adding a bedroom) and first impressions (curb appeal). While major renovations can be costly, strategic, high-ROI updates yield the best return on investment.
When using traditional shiplap, look to soft white hues for balance. We like Cloud White 967, shown here, White Dove OC-17 or Swiss Coffee OC-45. Add a fun graphic rug or woven accents to nod to the seafaring beginnings of shiplap design.
Many people don't realize that shiplap is perfectly safe to install in your fireplace surround if you follow the correct safety codes.
Shiplap is not completely out of style, but the overused 2010s "modern farmhouse" look is. Designers now recommend using it selectively in historical, coastal, or cabin homes, or updating it with vertical installations and moody paint colors rather than standard bright white horizontal planks.