Is Shiplap Out? Not With These Two Tweaks.
If you scroll Instagram these days and search “shiplap,” you’ll probably find a feed full of vertical shiplap—a modern nod to the wood paneling of the ‘90s. 🙄
But when I think of shiplap, I picture Chip and Joanna Gaines, distressed wood, and the 2010s farmhouse craze we’ve all moved on from (and maybe cringe at a little when we see old pics of our homes).
So it makes sense when clients ask about shiplap with hesitation.
They’re worried it will look dated.
They don’t want guests thinking they’re stuck in a Pinterest board from 2014.
And they definitely don’t want to invest in something they’ll just need to redo in a few years.
Here’s the thing though:
Shiplap isn’t the problem. It’s how it’s been installed.
Why I Still Love Shiplap (When It’s Done Right)
Believe it or not, shiplap is a building material with serious roots—not just a design trend. In many older homes, it’s literally what’s hiding behind the drywall.
I believe shiplap can still feel fresh, modern, and even timeless—it just needs a more thoughtful approach.
Here are the two tweaks I always use to take shiplap from farmhouse to forever stylish:
1. Use Wider Boards
Most of the dated shiplap you’ve seen uses skinny boards with lots of spacing—and that’s what gives it that overdone, rustic feel.
Instead, I use 7” stock boards (like this one from Home Depot). They’re bigger and trickier to work with, but they instantly elevate the look and make a space feel more intentional.
2. Keep the Boards Full Length
This is the game-changer.
Don’t stagger or pattern them like flooring.
Instead, install one full board per line of the wall—no seams, no patchwork. The result is clean, custom, and classic. It also makes the wall feel more like an architectural detail and less like a trend.
Love Shiplap? Then Go For It.
If you love the look of shiplap, don’t be embarrassed to have it in your home.
Trends come and go. (I mean, low-rise jeans are somehow back, right? 🫠)
My take on trends?
If you love it, it belongs in your space. Your home should reflect you—not a rotating list of what’s “in” or “out” according to a magazine editor.
Instead of tearing things down every decade, I’m all about finding smart updates that make what you love feel modern, timeless, and personal.
Ready to Bring a Vision to Life?
Whether you're dreaming up a full room makeover or trying to figure out if your idea still works in 2025, I've got options for you:
🧠 Need help making design decisions?
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Still on the fence about shiplap?
Drop your questions in the comments or shoot me a DM on IG—I’d love to help you think through it.
Because good design isn’t about chasing trends.
It’s about creating a space that makes you feel at home.
