Shiplap is a fairly new concept that made interior headlines circa 2013. During a reality TV show that aired in the States, shiplap quickly became the new buzzword. Fixer Upper as the show was marketed soon became a source of inspiration for many homeowners who had access to the show and its power couple cast. Here Joanna Gaines and her husband who renovated homes all over America made the word shiplap as trendy as ever.  

In South Africa, we refer to shiplap as a form of wall cladding. Shiplap wall cladding resembles wooden walls or surfaces and is made with any specifications in terms of size and style. It can be used for your home’s interiors and exteriors.  

Shiplap offers a modern timber look and is a price-friendly pick-me-up for any space you are trying to renovate and up-style. It is an easy-to-install wall covering that can instantly change the entire look and feel of a room. From kitchens and bathrooms to guestrooms and studies, this style of wall cladding giving any room instant Instagram-ready status.  

Don’t Jump Ship  

Shiplap is very easy to install and you do not require a professional to do it for you. The joints mimic those of tongue and groove joints that make them easy to fit. You also get peel and stick options, making the application even easier. It is also lightweight and offers a wide variety of options from recreating wood to concrete, you can easily recreate any expensive wall coverings.  

Shiplap is also low maintenance and makes cleaning a breeze. Its convenience is what makes this trend a favourite amongst many homeowners the world over. These shiplap wall coverings are also durable and can take a few good knocks from the household over time. They also essentially protect your walling. If your house ever goes on sale, it can also be easily removed by new owners who envision something else.  

Ideas and Inspirations  

Shiplap techniques have been used for thousands of years. It is its introduction to interiors that is a fairly new trend. According to The Finished Space “The earliest version of shiplap was found over 1,700 years ago on Viking ships! An ancient boat was found using overlapping planks around the outside of the boat to keep the water out. The technique used on this ship was called lapstrakes, but it was a precursor to what would become known as shiplap. The production of watertight, overlapping planks evolved to produce shiplap (i.e., boards that overlap at rabbeted edges to create a completely watertight fit)”.  

Shiplap was successful in keeping the water out on ships and soon sheds and farmhouses were introduced to it. From there the trend moved to building’s exteriors and more recently it has made its way indoors.    

Bathrooms

Bathrooms, both large and small look attractive with shiplap wall coverings. Wooden styles of shiplap can easily give bathrooms a chic, cottage feel with a touch of country. In bathrooms, shiplap does wonders as an accent wall.  

Bedrooms

Create a beach-inspired bohemian look in your bedroom with shiplap cladding that ignites the inner shipmate in you. With a variety of colours available, choose soft aqua-inspired tones. From white and ivory to sky and moody blues, you can create a desert island-inspired oasis away from the hustle and bustle of everyday distractions.  

Kitchens

Shiplap cladding in wooden or concrete type textures are a fresh look for modern kitchens. Cladding in your kitchen can be used as your oven backsplash, or under counters to create stylish surfaces. A shiplap accent wall also works great in a kitchen and is also  a trendy substitute for subway tiles. 

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