Looking for shiplap wall ideas for living room spaces that feel fresh instead of dated? You are not alone. Shiplap became a farmhouse favorite years ago, and many people now worry that a plain white plank wall looks stuck in the past.
The good news is that shiplap is not going anywhere. It has simply grown up. Designers now paint the boards in rich colors like olive, navy, and aubergine, run them vertically to add height, use them on lower walls and ceilings, and pair them with modern furniture instead of rustic signs.
Below you will find seventeen living rooms with shiplap that looks current. Each idea describes what is in the photo, the paint colors used and other shades you could try, a rough budget in US dollars, and one pro tip. Costs will change with your store, region, and wall size, so use them as a guide. Start with the basics section if you are new to shiplap.
Shiplap Basics to Know Before You Start
Before you buy boards, it helps to know your options. Primed MDF shiplap costs the least and comes ready to paint, while real pine costs more but holds up better to bumps and looks lovely stained. Peel and stick planks are the easiest choice for renters.
Direction matters too. Horizontal boards stretch a room visually, and vertical boards draw the eye up so ceilings feel taller. For paint, a satin or eggshell finish wipes clean and hides small flaws better than gloss.
How to Make Shiplap Look Modern, Not Dated
Go beyond white: Color, even a warm cream, instantly feels more current than bright white.
Try vertical boards: They feel fresher and make the room look taller.
Use it as one feature: A single accent wall, wainscot height paneling, or a ceiling looks more intentional than covering every surface.
Skip farmhouse clutter: Swap word signs and metal buckets for linen, wood, leather, and plants.
Paint the gaps: Clean, filled seams look custom, while white boards with dark gaps look dated.
1. Deep Aubergine Shiplap With Blush Velvet
Shiplap does not have to be white to look good, and this room proves it. The planks are painted a deep aubergine, a dusky eggplant shade that feels luxurious at night. A blush pink velvet sofa is piled with mustard and plum pillows. Two brass lamps with pleated cream shades glow on matching side tables, a round marble table displays a single gold bowl, and an abstract canvas in blush, mauve, and gold hangs above.
Paint and color ideas: Aubergine, blush, mustard, and brass make a bold but balanced palette. For a softer take, try plum, mulberry, or a dusty heather purple on the boards. Deep colors look best in a matte or eggshell finish, and painting the side walls the same shade makes the room feel wrapped and cozy.
Budget: Primed MDF shiplap for one accent wall, nails, caulk, and two gallons of dark paint usually come to about $250 to $450. Lamps and a velvet sofa are the bigger costs, so look for secondhand pieces.
Pro tip: Use a tinted primer in a gray or purple base before you paint, which helps dark colors cover in two coats instead of four.
2. Butter Yellow Shiplap With Gingham Pillows
A soft yellow wall can make a dark living room feel sunny every day. Here the horizontal shiplap is painted a gentle butter yellow, and a white slipcovered sofa sits in front with four blue gingham pillows. A round painted coffee table holds a glass jar of daisies, another bunch of flowers sits to the left, and a rattan armchair and a coiled jute rug add natural texture on whitewashed floors.
Paint and color ideas: Butter yellow, white, soft blue, and natural rattan create a fresh cottage palette. Pale lemon, warm cream, or soft apricot would also work on the boards. Pick a yellow with a slightly muted undertone, since bright yellows can look harsh in large amounts.
Budget: Primed MDF boards and one or two gallons of paint for this wall typically land between $200 and $380. Gingham pillow covers and a woven rug add roughly $60 to $150.
Pro tip: Paint a large sample board and move it around the room for a day before you commit, because yellow changes a lot between morning and evening light.
3. Olive Green Vertical Shiplap
Turning the boards up and down instantly makes shiplap feel more current. This wall uses vertical shiplap painted a rich olive green, and a cognac leather sofa with two textured cream pillows sits in front. A brass arc lamp with a dome shade curves over one end, a circular stone top holds one small plant, and a large rust and cream abstract canvas leans against the wall beside a black side table.
Paint and color ideas: Olive, cognac, rust, and cream form a warm, earthy palette that suits fall and winter. You could also try moss, khaki, or a deeper forest green. Pair green walls with leather, brass, and wood so the room feels grounded rather than cold.
Budget: Vertical boards, trim, and green paint run around $260 to $460 for a standard wall. A distressed vintage style rug adds $100 to $250.
Pro tip: Start installing vertical boards from the middle and work outward, so the cut pieces at each end match in width.
4. Navy Shiplap With Blue and White Accents
Navy ranks among the easiest ways to make shiplap feel tailored instead of farmhouse. Here the boards wear deep navy blue and sits between two white doors and crown molding. A slipcovered sofa holds blue striped and plain pillows, and matching blue and white ginger jar lamps sit on gray painted side tables. A weathered oak coffee table with a blue vase of white hydrangeas sits on a jute rug.
Paint and color ideas: Navy, white, soft gray, and natural jute create a crisp coastal palette. Ink blue, deep denim, or a gray blue would also work. Keep the trim and doors bright white so the dark boards look sharp and intentional.
Budget: Boards plus a gallon or two of navy typically total $220 to $420. Two ginger jar style lamps add roughly $100 to $200.
Pro tip: Paint the gaps between the boards first with a small brush, then roll the faces, so no light lines show through.
5. Half Wall Shiplap With Terracotta Paint Above
You do not need to cover a full wall to get the look. Here white vertical shiplap runs along the bottom half and stops at a slim oak ledge. The upper wall is painted warm terracotta, and the ledge holds two cream vases, one with pampas grass. A cream slipcovered sofa with terracotta and blush pillows, a rattan bowl chair, and a natural fiber rug sit on a herringbone floor.
Paint and color ideas: Terracotta, white, cream, and natural wood feel earthy and bright. The same idea works with sage, dusty blue, or warm clay above white paneling. You can also flip it, with colored boards below and a soft neutral above.
Budget: A half wall needs roughly half the material, so boards, an oak ledge, and paint often total $150 to $300. It is the cheapest way to try the look.
Pro tip: Set the top of the paneling at about one third of the wall height, which works well in most living rooms.
6. White Shiplap on the Ceiling
If your walls are already busy, put the shiplap overhead instead. This ceiling is covered in white shiplap, and a large woven rattan dome pendant hangs in the center. Below, a cream sectional with a chaise holds ochre pillows, and a tree stump coffee table carries a single wooden bowl. White walls, linen curtains, and warm oak floors keep it light.
Paint and color ideas: White, cream, ochre, and natural wood create an airy modern farmhouse palette. A pale greige or soft white ceiling would look equally fresh, while a light wood stain feels more rustic. Keep the walls simple so the ceiling stands out.
Budget: Covering a ceiling takes more boards and time, so expect roughly $500 to $1,200 in materials for an average living room. Hiring help adds to that.
Pro tip: Run the boards in the same direction as the longest wall, which makes the room look bigger.
Also read: 20 Christmas Tree Ideas 2026 That Make Your Living Room Feel Magical
7. Dusty Pink Vertical Shiplap
Pink shiplap can look calm and stylish when the shade is soft and dusty. This wall uses narrow vertical boards in a pale dusty pink. An ivory boucle sofa is dressed with olive green and oatmeal pillows, and a white fluted pedestal table shows off a small canister. A cream dome floor lamp, a tall arched mirror, and a fiddle leaf fig finish the corner.
Paint and color ideas: Dusty pink, ivory, olive, and white feel soft and current. Blush, rose clay, or a pale mushroom pink would also suit vertical boards. Pair pink with green accents to keep it fresh rather than sweet.
Budget: Narrow vertical boards and a pale pink paint usually run $230 to $420. A fluted table and a floor mirror add around $150 to $350.
Pro tip: Pick a pink with a dusty, slightly muddy tone, which looks more sophisticated than a bright candy pink.
8. Burgundy Vertical Shiplap Around a Fireplace
Shiplap and fireplaces are a natural pair, and deep color makes them feel modern. This entire wall is clad in vertical shiplap painted burgundy, with a dark walnut mantel and a black firebox stacked with logs. A brass three arm candelabra with white candles sits on the mantel, and two cream armchairs face each other, one draped with a plaid throw beside a woven basket.
Paint and color ideas: Burgundy, walnut, cream, and brass feel deep and cozy. Oxblood, deep cherry, or a brick red would give a similar feel. Keep the furniture light so the dark wall does not overwhelm the room.
Budget: Boards and burgundy paint for a fireplace wall usually total $250 to $450. Two accent chairs add $250 to $600, or less secondhand.
Pro tip: Leave the required clearance around the firebox and use only noncombustible materials close to the opening, as your fireplace manual explains.
9. Sage Shiplap With Built-In Shelves and a Window Seat
Built-ins turn a shiplap wall into a useful feature. Here sage green shiplap frames a tall window and lines the back of two tall bookcases with cabinets below. A cushioned window seat with drawers and brass pulls sits below the glass, topped with two striped pillows. The shelves hold white vases, small plants, and a few stacked books, with a jute rug on the floor.
Paint and color ideas: Sage, cream, brass, and white feel calm and timeless. You could paint the built-ins a deeper green, a soft gray blue, or warm greige. Painting the shelves and shiplap one color makes the whole wall look custom.
Budget: Using stock cabinets and shelving with plank backing, a built-in wall runs $800 to $2,000 in materials. Open shelves alone cost far less.
Pro tip: Style shelves with odd numbers of objects and leave about a third of each shelf empty, so the wall looks calm.
10. Espresso Brown Shiplap With a Round Pendant
Deep brown is replacing gray as the go to neutral, and it looks rich on shiplap. These planks are coated in espresso brown, and a large round rope pendant hangs in front. A cream sofa carries caramel and cognac pillows, amber glass lamps with white shades glow on dark wood side tables, and an oval walnut coffee table holds small gold ceramic vases.
Paint and color ideas: Espresso, caramel, cream, and amber make a warm, moody palette. Chocolate, mocha, or a softer mushroom brown would also look current. Balance dark boards with light upholstery and a pale rug.
Budget: Espresso paint and primed planks for an accent wall often land between $230 and $430. A rope pendant adds $80 to $200.
Pro tip: Use warm white bulbs around 2700K in the lamps, since cool light can make brown walls look muddy.
11. Slate Blue Shiplap Around a Window
A window wall is a great spot for shiplap, because the boards frame the view like a picture. Here slate blue horizontal shiplap runs around a large window, with linen curtains hung from a black rod near the ceiling. A white sofa with rust, terracotta, and ivory pillows sits below, beside a circular wooden coffee table, a slim stool, and a potted olive tree.
Paint and color ideas: Slate blue, white, rust, and natural wood strike a calm but warm balance. Gray blue, soft teal, or blue green would all suit this idea. Rust and terracotta pillows keep a cool wall from feeling chilly.
Budget: Planks, window trim, and paint generally total $220 to $400. Long linen curtains and a rod add $60 to $150.
Pro tip: Line up a board seam with the top and bottom of the window frame so the cuts look neat.
12. Clay Ochre Shiplap With Cream Boucle
Warm earth tones are everywhere right now, and they look beautiful on shiplap. This feature wall glows in clay ochre, somewhere between caramel and terracotta. A creamy boucle sofa holds olive, blush, and rust pillows, and a round travertine pedestal coffee table sits on a cream rug. A large white floor vase of dried grass and golden curtains complete the sunny look.
Paint and color ideas: Clay, cream, olive, and blush create a relaxed, earthy palette. Caramel, sandstone, or a soft rust would also fit. Add creamy textures like boucle and wool so the color feels soft.
Budget: Clay paint and MDF planks for a feature wall run roughly $210 to $390. A stone look coffee table adds $140 to $340.
Pro tip: Look for an earthy shade with a muddy undertone, which stays warm without turning bright orange in strong sun.
Also read: 15 Halloween Living Room Decor Ideas That Are Easy, Cheap, and Not Tacky
13. Deep Teal Shiplap Reading Corner
Planks can turn an empty corner into a favorite spot. These walls are painted deep teal, and a mustard velvet armchair with a chunky cream throw sits in the corner. A brass sconce with a globe bulb glows above, and a small round walnut side table holds a plant in a white mug. A round jute rug and dark wood floors finish the cozy nook.
Paint and color ideas: Teal, mustard, ivory, and brass feel rich and inviting. Peacock, petrol blue, or dark green would also suit a reading corner. Bold chair colors stand out best against deep walls.
Budget: Boards for two short corner walls and teal paint cost about $150 to $300. A plug-in sconce adds $40 to $100.
Pro tip: Mount the sconce about 60 inches up and slightly to one side of the chair so the light falls on your book.
14. Greige Shiplap With a Simple Art Grouping
Boards and art can share the same wall when the art stays simple. Warm greige boards hold a row of three oak frames with minimal leaf drawings. A cream sofa sits below with rust, taupe, and ivory pillows and a chunky knit throw. On the light wood coffee table sit a little plant and a shallow dish.
Paint and color ideas: Greige, cream, rust, and light oak make a soft, easy palette. Warm taupe, mushroom, or pale clay would also work. Frames in a wood tone that matches the floor tie the whole room together.
Budget: Greige paint and boards generally cost $220 to $400 for a single wall. Three thin frames and printable art add $40 to $100.
Pro tip: Hang frames so the nails land on a board instead of a gap, and keep about two inches between each frame.
15. Natural Oak Shiplap in a Modern Room
Leaving the wood bare gives shiplap a clean, modern look. This wall is covered in natural light oak boards set vertically, with crisp white walls on each side. A charcoal sofa with one rust and one ivory pillow sits in front, beside a black task style floor lamp and a slim white table holding an ochre vase. A white rug keeps it bright.
Paint and color ideas: Oak, charcoal, white, and rust make a simple Scandinavian palette. Walnut, ash, or a whitewashed finish would give a different feel. Seal the boards with a clear matte finish so the wood keeps its natural color.
Budget: Real oak costs more than primed MDF, so expect $400 to $800 for one wall. A clear matte sealer adds $30 to $60.
Pro tip: Let wood boards sit in the room for two or three days before installing, so they adjust to the room and do not shrink later.
16. Two Tone Shiplap in Sage and Cream
Mixing two colors and two board directions makes a plain wall feel custom. The lower third has deep sage vertical paneling with a slim ledge on top, and cream horizontal shiplap fills the wall above. A tan leather sofa holds sage and ivory pillows, with a dark floor lamp, a wooden side table with a potted fern, and a circular jute rug.
Paint and color ideas: Sage, cream, cognac, and oak create a fresh modern farmhouse palette. Navy with crisp white, or olive with warm ivory, would also look smart. Keep the darker color low to ground the room. For tools and step by step help, this step by step shiplap install guide from The Home Depot covers the basics.
Budget: Two board styles and two paint colors bring this project to roughly $280 to $480. The ledge trim adds only a little.
Pro tip: Install the lower paneling first, add the ledge, then start the horizontal boards above it so the line stays level.
17. Warm Cream Shiplap for a Calm Living Room
White shiplap looks dated mostly when it is bright, cold, and paired with heavy farmhouse decor. This version uses warm cream instead, paired with an oatmeal sofa, caramel and white pillows, and a wood coffee table holding a single bowl. An olive tree in a woven basket, a slim table with glass vases, and a flat jute rug finish the calm look.
Paint and color ideas: Cream, caramel, natural wood, and green keep it gentle and up to date. Ivory, oat, or a pale warm white would all work. Choose natural textures over rustic accessories for a current feel.
Budget: Primed planks and warm cream paint are the most budget friendly combination, often $200 to $380 for one wall.
Pro tip: Choose a white with a yellow or beige undertone and test it next to your sofa fabric, so the wall and furniture look like they belong together.
How to Install a Shiplap Accent Wall in a Weekend
Step 1, plan: Measure the wall, find the studs, and mark them with a pencil line.
Step 2, prep: Remove outlet covers, baseboards if needed, and paint the wall a similar color to the boards.
Step 3, start level: Nail the first board at the bottom or center with a level, then stack the rest using spacers.
Step 4, cut around openings: Use a jigsaw for outlets and windows, and use outlet box extenders where needed.
Step 5, finish: Fill nail holes, caulk the edges, prime, and paint two thin coats.
Shiplap Mistakes to Avoid
Skipping the studs: Boards nailed only into drywall can loosen over time.
Uneven first row: If the first board is not level, every board above it will drift.
Tiny gaps on dark walls: Paint the gaps before installing dark boards so white lines do not show.
Too many shiplap walls: One feature wall usually looks better than wrapping the whole room.
Glossy paint: High gloss shows every dent and seam in bright light.
Shiplap Wall Ideas FAQs
Is shiplap still in style for living rooms?
Yes, but it looks most current when the boards are painted in color, run vertically, or used on one feature wall, a lower panel, or the ceiling. Plain white shiplap with rustic farmhouse decor is what tends to look dated.
What color shiplap is most popular right now?
Warm cream, olive green, sage, navy, mushroom brown, terracotta, and deep moody shades like espresso and aubergine are all popular. Warmer colors feel more current than stark white or cool gray.
Should shiplap go horizontal or vertical in a living room?
Horizontal planks feel relaxed and make a room seem wider, while vertical boards make the ceiling look taller and feel more modern. Low ceilings usually benefit from vertical boards.
How much does a shiplap accent wall cost?
A DIY accent wall in primed MDF shiplap with paint often costs a few hundred dollars. Real wood, ceilings, and built-ins cost more, and hiring an installer adds labor costs.
Final Thoughts on Shiplap Wall Ideas for Living Room Spaces
Shiplap only looks dated when it is treated like a trend instead of a design choice. Pick a color that suits your room, choose a board direction that fits the space, and pair it with furniture and fabrics you love. These shiplap wall ideas for living room spaces show how a simple plank wall can look warm, modern, and personal. Start with one accent wall, and you may find yourself planning the next one.
For more cozy living room inspiration, read our 17 Cozy Sitting Room Ideas That Make a Small Space Feel Warm and Inviting next.
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