Also referred to as car siding, tongue-and-groove paneling, or nickel-gap paneling, vertical shiplap is a great way to bring a fresh perspective to any space. And while “wood paneling” might trigger memories of the walls at grandma’s house, we’re here to tell you: this isn’t your grandma’s house.

What is shiplap?

Shiplap is thin, wood planks or boards with opposing rabbet joints that overlap each other to form a weather-tight seal.

Ways to Feature Vertical Shiplap

The use of shiplap in interior design is widely popular in many design styles, and it makes sense why: it offers clean lines and the illusion of bigger spaces.

From walls and ceilings to cabinets and mantles, vertical shiplap can be featured throughout your space in many ways:

Walls

Given the quality and durability of shiplap, it’s a great option for a wall treatment. Vertical shiplap as a wall treatment creates the illusion of a heightened room and also provides a fresher feel.

When deciding how you want to incorporate vertical shiplap for your walls, you could choose to either feature it as a wall-to-wall treatment. for an accent wall, or as wainscotting.

Ceilings

Another stunning way to feature shiplap in your space is to use it as your ceiling treatment. This works really well if you want to use a bright white within your color palette but don’t want the harshness of an all-white design. The same goes for adding contrast – black shiplap for your ceiling is an excellent way to create a freshly modern vibe for your space.

Built-Ins

For those who are seeking a slightly more subtle approach, there are many possibilities for you to explore when it comes to cabinetry and other types of built-ins. For instance, framing your fireplace or range hood with vertical shiplap still adds a freshness to your design and creates the illusion of a heightened space.

For someone living somewhere in between subtle and strong, consider using vertical shiplap for your cabinets, kitchen island, built-in shelves – even doors!

Colors & Finishes for Vertical Shiplap

White, black, muddy earth tones, creams, wood stain – there are so many options for colors and finishes of vertical shiplap.

Color Options

White and black are fairly popular choices for colors of vertical shiplap, but the subdued earth tones and creams are up-and-coming options for a softer look.

Whites and creams are great color options for brightening up a more traditionally-inspired space, and black works really well with styles that lean more modern, but honestly, they can both work for either style when done right. You can even combine them!

If you’re wanting less contrast and more tone-on-tone, consider cooler-toned, subdued colors. As you can see below, the North End Tudor living room designed by Heidi Caillier Design features a built-in entertainment center with a somewhat muted dusty-blue vertical shiplap treatment.

The mudroom from Scout & Nimble’s Hinkson Home project is the perfect example of the timeless feel you can create with a desaturated green vertical shiplap. Vanessa Francis’s laundry room renovation reveal features a subtly subdued pink for the vertical shiplap wainscotting. Stunning!

Wood-stained vertical shiplap also makes a powerful visual impact – choosing the right wood tone ultimately comes down to your design style, but again, you’re not limited to one family of tones: you can stay in the cool tone family, play with neutrals, or pull in a warmer tone with your selection. This also provides a great opportunity for you to mix wood tones; when mixing wood tones, be sure to select other pieces and accessories from the same family of tones (cool, neutral, or warm).

Finish Options

No need to worry about facing a tyranny of choice here: When deciding what finish to use with your vertical shiplap, our general rule is pretty straightforward: we generally recommend a Satin finish for wall and cabinet treatments and a matte finish for ceiling treatments.

Popular Design Styles Using Vertical Shiplap

Modern and Traditional Farmhouse Styles

Shiplap is most commonly used with farmhouse-inspired designs, as it adds a rustic charm to any space works well alongside exposed beams and exposed brick or stone.

Contemporary and Modern Styles

There’s an undeniable sophistication about black shiplap that lends itself really well to the modern/contemporary design style. However it’s featured, it adds that high-contrast you’ll find in contemporary designs.

That doesn’t mean you have to use black shiplap for your modern design. If you prefer a white or cream-colored shiplap, you can pair it with accessories and other pieces that provide those punches of black that will create the contrast you want.

English Shaker Style

With its clean lines combined with minimalist pieces, the Shaker design style shares many characteristics with the Minimalist style, but with a much more natural feel, which is what makes vertical shiplap work so well in an English Shaker-inspired space:

Taking Your Space to Fresh New Heights

Vertical shiplap is sure way to freshen up your space while making it feel taller and more open. And with all of the color and finish options to choose from, you can use it in a unique way that reflects your true style.