Top Shiplap Bathroom Ideas

Shiplap has traditionally been used to construct barns and sheds. It’s commonly known for its significant and appealing rabbet which is the grooves between each board. Shiplap also has a rustic charm that many people find captivating along with its subtle texture. Over the years, it’s become more and more popular when it comes to aesthetic and decorative uses. It’s something that has been used more and more in living rooms, dining rooms, kitchens, and even bathrooms. Have you considered adding shiplap in bathroom designs? 

You can add shiplap to any room and give it that country-style that it needs, even if you decide to keep things modern. A little bit of country charm can only make your modern bathroom stand out. Shiplap typically consists of white and wide boards. They can make the room feel bigger than it is while still remaining subtle and not overpowering any other accent features. 

When installing shiplap, you can make it as subtle or as much of a focal point as you want. It can be just a minor detail or the main event in a room. Adding shiplap to the bathroom can be just what you want in order to impress your guests or even just add some charm to an overlooked room in your home. 

Apart from its simple installation and affordability, shiplap has increased in popularity over the years, especially when it comes to bathroom decor. It’s bright and has a revitalized look that many people are drawn to. Even though white shiplap is a common choice, there are other color options to choose from in order to best match the style of your bathroom. Before we move forward on some of the ways you can incorporate shiplap into your bathroom, it’s best to start off with the basics of what shiplap actually is. 

What Is Shiplap?

Essentially, shiplap is a wooden board that was originally used for the exterior of properties for construction. This kind of siding was installed on sheds, barns, and other outdoor buildings. By joining two flat pieces of shiplap, you can create a flat surface while leaving some recessed space in between the boards. This can give any wall a more rustic and/or beachy theme. Depending on the type of installation you go for, whether half wall or full wall, the color, and the type of board that you use, you can get the ultimate result for your room. 

Due to its striking appearance, shiplap has grown to become a commonly incorporated decor element for bathrooms. While it can be used practically anywhere, it’s typically found in kitchens and bathrooms. You can choose to have it cover the entire wall, half of the wall, or even go for a shiplap accent wall bathroom for just a touch of visual energy. 

Why Choose to Have Shiplap Installed in Your Bathroom?

Aside from shiplap being affordable and simple to install, it has become a favorite in terms of bathroom decor because of its revitalizing look. As mentioned earlier, white shiplap is the most commonly incorporated color, but there are other colors to choose from and you can always customize it by repainting it on your own to match your bathroom’s style. However, white shiplap can help complement the rest of the details in your bathroom like the fixtures. 

Shiplap isn’t just used for decorative purposes, but it can also be used to hide dirty walls or damaged ceilings. The bathroom shiplap ideas are endless when using shiplap and it can be just what you need to open up the look of your bathroom while also creating the feeling of comfort. With shiplap, you have the ability to play around with different colors, decor, and more. 

Shiplap Bathroom Ideas to Consider

Shiplapping your bathroom can be as subtle or as large of a project as you want it to be. You can have shiplap installed behind the vanity, on an entire wall, or just a small section of the bathroom. What makes shiplap so appealing s that it can make a big difference no matter how much of it you install. Shiplap can further be customized to your liking by having it distressed, stained, or left bright. If you want to transform the look of your bathroom into one that’s appealing and comforting, you may want to consider some of the following shiplap bathroom ideas.

 

A Full Shiplap Wall

Cover the entire wall in your bathroom with shiplap and give your bathroom a whole new look. This is exceptionally popular in the most farmhouse and rustic-style bathrooms. However, just because you have an entire shiplap bathroom wall doesn’t mean that you’ll have to go with a rustic-style design. You can design it in a way to bring out a beach style and more. 

Partial Shiplap Wall

Cover half or part of the wall in your bathroom with shiplap for a simple makeover. It will still give your bathroom that brand-new look you desire. Using shiplap on an accent wall can also be a budget-friendly way to add some style and decor to your bathroom. In the meantime, you’ll also be highlighting a specific place in your bathroom. Be sure to choose a wall that won’t get too wet so that you can have long-lasting results. 

Shiplap on Your Bathroom Ceiling

Shiplap doesn’t only have to be installed on the walls. In fact, shiplap in small bathroom designs can create the illusion of a bigger room if the boards are white. It can also add style to your bathroom when it’s installed on the ceiling. It’s perfect for covering up damaged or dirty ceilings. Add a few finishing touches and decor pieces and you’ll have a brand new look to your bathroom.

Farmhouse-style Look

Why not go for a traditional farmhouse style in your bathroom? Adding shiplap for bathroom walls can be just the finishing touch that you’re looking for. It can create the ideal atmospheric glow and add the country finish, especially if you stick to the standard white bathroom design. Shiplap can be perfect for country and rustic designs.

Modern Shiplap Bathroom

If you want to have a more modern and appealing bathroom, you can still install shiplap. In a bathroom with porcelain tile and a white floor, you can complete the look with shiplap walls or even an accent wall. Take the design a step further by incorporating white pine shiplap for an even more relaxing look. 

Beach-style Design

Bring out the beach vibes in your bathroom with shiplap. You can add light grey wooden cabinets and combine them with the white shiplap walls for an airy feel. For more of a harbor feel, you can add a rustic bathtub. Any beach-style bathroom will give you a fresh feeling. Some finishing touches like soft blue paint and accents can complete the look. 

Black and White Bathroom

These days, black and white bathrooms are all the rage. Even if you want to stay in style, you can still incorporate white shiplap into your bathroom design. With a white shiplap wall, you can bring out the black vanity as well as all of the other black detailing and decor. Your transitional bathroom can be complete with white granite countertops. 

White Shiplap

The most common finish when it comes to shiplap is white. This is due to its versatility, timelessness appearance, and the fact that it’s easy to match. White shiplap on bathroom walls will help you achieve the rustic look and subtle texture that you desire while still not overpowering the other features and decor in the room. 

Grey Shiplap

If you want to have a bolder look in your bathroom and still add shiplap, you can choose to paint it a different color. Going with a dark grey color instead of white can complete the look of your bathroom. Dark grey can pair well with white tiles and more. 

Vertical Shiplap

When you envision shiplap, chances are that you’re picturing it horizontally. However, the shiplap boards can also be installed vertically for a different look. Installing vertical shiplap amove the baseboard in your bathroom and adding molding at the edge can provide you with a new and appealing look. 

Custom Log Shiplap

This kind of shiplap can be trendy and provide you with a classic look at the same time. If you’re interested in a more rustic and modern finish, consider custom log shiplap instead of the standard one. 

Wallpaper and Shiplap Combo

Combining shiplap with wallpaper can be an inexpensive and simple way to add some extra style to your bathroom. Instead of installing wallpaper from top to bottom on the walls of your bathroom, you can add some shiplap in order to balance out the look. For the best results, it’s ideal to have the shiplap on the bottom half of the wall while the wallpaper is on top. 

Things to Keep in Mind When Installing Shiplap in Your Bathroom

You can add the texture and character that your bathroom needs without taking away from any of the focal areas by adding shiplap. While it seems simple, there are still a few things to keep in mind when you install shiplap anywhere in your bathroom. One thing that people are hesitant about is dealing with shiplap in bathroom moisture. However, with proper installation and maintenance, you won’t have to worry about the condition of your shiplap, even in moisture-prone areas like your bathroom. 

When you install the shiplap property, seal it, and perform routine inspections and/or maintenance, you’ll have long-lasting and appealing shiplap. After all, it was initially used for outdoor siding before it became so popular to incorporate into interior decor. 

Aside from sealing your shiplap walls in bathroom, you should also be sure to fill the nail gaps with some drywall compound a couple of times before applying the final paint finish to the wood. This can fully protect your shiplap and ensure excellent as well as long-lasting results. 

If you’re familiar with painting, chances are that you know about the different paint types. When painting the walls or the shiplap in your bathroom, it’s important to use the right kind of paint in order to get long-lasting results. This is crucial because the moisture from your steamy showers and/or baths can affect the walls in your bathroom, including the shiplap. Aside from this, chances are that there might be some splashes onto the wall from the sink and more. 

Moisture doesn’t just damage the paint, but it can create even bigger problems as it continues to get deeper into the paint layers and even makes contact with the drywall. Over time, this can cause mildew growth, aside from peeling paint. With moisture-resistant paint, you can avoid this from happening. From high-goss to semi-goss and even satin paint sheens, you’ll be able to choose your ideal kind of paint for your shiplap bathroom. 

How to Install Shiplap in Your Bathroom

If you want a large or small bathroom with shiplap, be sure to follow the steps below for installation:  

1. Clear and Prep the Wall - Remove the baseboards, light switches, and anything that may be blocking the wall that you’ll be working on. Perform any caulking and fix all cracks and/or holes if necessary then make sure that the wall is clean and dry. Ideally, the wall should then be painted with moisture-resistant paint. Locate the studs in the wall and mark them on the wall as this is where you’ll nail in the shiplap. Take the proper measurements for cutting the shiplap.
2. Prepare the Shiplap - Even if you purchased your shiplap precut to your measurements, you still might have to do some minor cutting to perfectly fit them properly in the corners. Sand the edges of the shiplap boards and apply primer. 
3. Start Installing - Choose whether you want to start installing the shiplap boards from top to bottom or from bottom to top. Be sure to use a level during the installation process as well as tile spaces to leave an even amount of space between each board. 
4. Finish the Shiplap - If possible, allow the shiplap to sit for about a day in order to adjust to the moisture in the bathroom. Caulk the corners, seal, and sand down the nail holes. If you haven’t already painted your shiplap to your ideal color, now is the time to do so. 

Protect the Shiplap in Your Bathroom

Making sure that you get the ideal finish and appearance for your shiplap is important and chances are that you’re going to want it to last. With proper sealing, you can protect it long-term. By filling and sealing your shiplap, you can keep it dry while also protecting it from potential warping or mold build-up. At the very least, you should be using primer and semi-gloss paint for the wood in your bathroom. For additional moisture protection, you can consider using polyurethane on your shiplap walls in bathroom.