Looking through interior design magazines or social media accounts, you've likely noticed the prevalence of shiplap. Shiplap is a term for horizontal planks of wood with vertical grooves in between them. Wood shiplap was originally used to seal out water and cold air on naval ships and, eventually, exterior siding for homes and businesses.
Today, shiplap is commonly used in interior design to add a sense of chic, natural style. Whether undertaking new construction, renovation, or a remodel, you can incorporate this approach into your kitchen design.
Whether your preferred aesthetic is classic farmhouse or modern minimalist, kitchen shiplap is a versatile look that can mesh well into many designs. Explore our favorite shiplap kitchen ideas and get inspired to incorporate this style into your kitchen design.
Pair a Shiplap Ceiling With Matching Walls & Cabinetry
Create a sense of expansive openness with a kitchen shiplap ceiling color-matched to the walls and cabinets. With metal accents like gold pendant lighting and stainless steel sinks, the result is a farmhouse look with hints of glamor and elegance, sure to impress everyone who enters the room.
Expand the Space With Vertical Shiplap
Horizontal shiplap designs tend to be the most common, but a vertical shiplap kitchen wall causes the eye to move upward, making the space appear more open and expansive. Paired here with gold accents and warm décor, the result is a farmhouse shiplap kitchen backsplash that feels modern and refreshing.
Make a Statement With an Accent Wall
A shiplap accent wall in a kitchen can create visual interest and serve as the centerpiece of the design. The light color throughout the room establishes cohesion, while touches of gold and marble, as well as plants for décor, add brightness to the overall design.
Natural Kitchen Shiplap Ceiling
While a shiplap kitchen wall is a common choice, the ceiling is another stylish canvas for your design sensibility. Dark countertops and a striking backsplash in this kitchen contrast with the warm shiplap design on the ceiling and the more modern elements in the space, like gunmetal kitchen faucets.
Create Your Own Oasis
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You don't need a large space to have a farmhouse shiplap kitchen. For rooms with limited space, horizontal shiplap on the walls can create a warm, expansive feeling, helping the kitchen to feel larger. Paired here in a breakfast nook with light wood cabinets and shelving, the room feels inviting while maintaining a modern farmhouse aesthetic.
Establish a Contrast With Countertops
While many designs keep things subtle with a shiplap kitchen island or single accent wall, for a cozy cabin feel, choose warm wood and cover every wall in shiplap—and maybe the ceiling too. The shiplap walls here create a stunning contrast with the black countertops and metal light fixtures, allowing the tiled backsplash to serve as the room’s focal point.
Match Ceiling Shiplap to Cabinets
The vertical pattern of the kitchen shiplap ceiling in this space provides a charming contrast to the brick exhaust hood and backsplash around the stove. With pendant lighting and modern stools around the island, this room offers a cozy simplicity with plenty of space for preparing food and entertaining guests.
Wrap the Cabinets & Exhaust Hood
Shiplap isn’t limited to walls and ceilings—shiplap kitchen cabinets can be a stunning addition to your farmhouse design. In this room, even the exhaust hood is wrapped in shiplap, allowing the stainless steel appliances and black seating to stand out. Explore luxury undermount sinks, like the one on the kitchen island here, to add a modern touch of elegance to your kitchen design.
Add Style to Your Backsplash
A white shiplap kitchen backsplash can add texture to a monochromatic room and take advantage of natural light to create an airy space. Add pops of color in décor and other traditional kitchen accessories for visual interest. A shiplap backsplash kitchen offers an opportunity for color-matching cabinets and countertops or choosing a different pattern or material for greater contrast.
Go Bold With Dark Colors
Shiplap isn’t limited to white. Explore other color options like a gray shiplap kitchen island or black horizontal shiplap walls for high contrast with lighter accents. In this design, the exhaust hood meshes well with the black tile of the backsplash and dark cabinetry, resulting in a cohesive and stunning look that exudes elegance and grace.
Shiplap Ceiling as a Backdrop to Striking Details
Kitchen shiplap walls or ceilings can provide a warm textured look that contrasts well with standout elements of a kitchen, such as the blue and gold stove in this space. The marble countertops, warm wood floors, and natural stone all create an inviting atmosphere, while gold details like the faucet and luxury sidesprays establish a sense of cohesion with other design details.
Kitchen Shiplap FAQs
Should I use shiplap in my kitchen?
Shiplap has many advantages, particularly its durability, which is especially good for high-traffic and high-use areas of the home, like the kitchen. Kitchen shiplap is a relatively easy DIY project and can be stained or painted in any color to fit your design sensibility. You can also install shiplap either vertically or horizontally, depending on your preferences, and it can help cover imperfections. For example, a vertical shiplap kitchen island can create texture and visual interest with minimal effort.
How much does shiplap cost?
Like most home design projects, the price of shiplap will vary depending on the size of the room and the type of material you choose, and whether you get it professionally installed.
Shiplap costs anywhere from $2.50 to $7 per square foot. Interior shiplap installation typically costs around $1,000 per room. The average cost of installing shiplap on the exterior of a house is about $4,000.
What wood is used for shiplap?
Kitchen shiplap can be made of almost any type of wood, and the one you choose willdepend on what kind of look you want for your space.Many homeowners usepine, while others choose plywood or MDF boards, which are a combination ofresin and wood and easier to install. If you plan to create a shiplap outdoor kitchen,consider wood panels designed for exterior use.