A bright sunroom that functions as a dining space welcomes morning sunlight through six floor-to-ceiling windows. A traditional shiplap with spacing between panels adds great dimension to a room with shabby chic design influences. The paneling mimics that of traditional white house siding, maximizing the transitional space between the indoors and outdoors.
21 Picturesque Ideas for Shiplap Around Windows
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Published: May 6, 2024
Updated: March 28, 2024
Installing shiplap around windows can take on many varieties in our modern interior design landscape using beadboard or horizontal paneling. Shiplap is known for its wide white horizontal boards that have taken on a power all its own over the modern farmhouse aesthetic within the last 10 years. It was especially popular in rooms with exposed windows with sufficient light sources. Most windows that exist on a shiplapped wall will have blinds, sheer curtains, or no coverings at all so that the paneling can be on full display.
We’ve gathered the best examples of shiplap around windows here, so pay close attention to the various spaces in a home where shiplap can be displayed, including dining rooms, sunrooms, kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms, and hallways. This timeless feature can be applied almost anywhere, and you’ll even see how centuries-old homes used this styling and how it has been applied today for a modern update. You can’t go wrong with this classic and crisp trend!
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Old-fashioned shiplap and ceiling paneling were installed during the building process of this 1906 Victorian farmhouse. There is a reason that shiplap is often shown alongside farmhouse and shabby chic decor, and that is because it pays tribute to this particular era. Paired with original hardwood floors and a traditional wooden handrail, this hallway emulates the beauty and originality of American architecture.
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A modernized farmhouse primary suite bathroom boasts multiple oversized windows that peer onto a covered porch. The exposed beams on the ceiling are an intentional complementary piece to the white shiplap paneling that lays softly around the window molding, further accentuating their grandeur. If you aren’t particularly fond of blinds or curtains, shiplap does a great job of bringing attention to any architectural features that need spotlighting, like these windows.
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An extended eat-in kitchen is nestled in the back of this home, overlooking a spacious backyard fit for entertaining. Black window frames are accentuated nicely underneath an A-frame wall covered in shiplap, creating optimum contrast. Various decorative items include a rectangular candelabra chandelier, a stately double-pedestal trestle table, and magnificent hardwood floors that combine the authentic and upscale modern farmhouse aesthetic.
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Though shiplap is lovely, it’s not a feasible design choice on every property. Whether you’re renting or looking for something slightly less time-consuming to install, consider a peel-and-stick wallpaper that mimics the look of shiplap. Easy to hang and even easier to remove, the appearance of the panels have a perfect distressed touch that gives off an aura of a rustic or vintage farmhouse.
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The wall behind a bedframe possesses so much potential in bedroom design. This area can be dressed up or down as a natural focal point with artwork, wallpaper, or a bold accent color. In this case, a transom window is surrounded by a narrow shiplap confined just to the back wall, adding a layer of dimension to an otherwise soft, neutral room.
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A window seat is an elegant addition to any home, and with the right design, it can be installed under an open window. Create a bump out using custom cabinets to surround a bench seat and install each piece directly to the wall around your desired window. Shiplap is an excellent backdrop to this quaint and sunny spot and helps further accentuate this custom addition.
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Shiplap is ideal around any window, but it’s equally fitting in an entryway. An antique front door is an idyllic companion to this wall design as it enhances the authenticity of the farmhouse aesthetic. An equally thoughtful and intentional addition are these repurposed folding chairs that have been taken from an auditorium, which enhances the vintage trend.
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The designer of this space opted to install shiplap around three open windows that expose the solitude of the attached sunroom. The quaint seating area with matching lounge chairs and an arched armoire displays an idyllic scene for morning coffee or an evening by the fire. The mantel and hearthstone’s rustic appearance creates a traditional and cozy look.
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We all know the classic beauty of white subway tile, but you can take this popular trend further by including a shiplap pattern above your backsplash. The varied textures of both materials provide great dimension and are a great accent to a sink window. The decorative items that can make this wall design shine are exposed shelves, wooden accents, and white cabinets.
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Beadboard is a more traditional twist on shiplap. Originating in the Victorian era, it has returned with robust popularity in both cottage-style homes and new builds. The detail is characterized by horizontal panels framed by chair rail that typically extends halfway up the wall. In this kitchen, it is being used as a backsplash and backdrop for floating shelves.
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This bright and airy sunroom creates continuity with the exterior siding extending on the walls through the entire sunroom. Whether the screened-in porch was built as an addition or originally included with the house, the design idea creates a sort of interior oasis that provides all the benefits of being outside within the comfort of your own four walls. Low-maintenance plants like vines and cacti are the perfect addition to this sunny setting.
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Bohemian decor creates an eclectic and whimsical feel filled with a sense of self-sufficiency and revitalization. As the age of the home is evident in the antique wood trim that surrounds the windows, the owner of this home made the entire space feel more modern by using a shiplap that honors the age of the home while staying on-trend. Little details such as an arched lamp, a mosaic fireplace surround, and geometric prints within the pillows create a unique and nostalgic paradise.
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Few better places in a home are more appropriate for a shiplap detail than a mudroom. Known for its practical purposes, paneling is a great way to designate this space as a place for removing shoes and coats before calmly (and cleanly) entering a home. Little baskets under each bench leg give an organized appearance, and the pillows ensure that the wooden bench is a soft place to sit.
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There isn’t a more picturesque setting for horizontal shiplap than in a kitchen with white cabinets. With gold hardware and vintage light fixtures, the shiplap creates the most nostalgic setting for early-morning coffee. Negating the need for additional backsplash, shiplap matches any counter style and works great with granite and ruffly window curtains.
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Entryways can be challenging to decorate, but they can become beautiful spaces with a few niche ideas. For instance, two wooden stairs separate a porch or garage from a kitchen entry, and the area around the kitchen window has been filled with white shiplap. Coordinating perfectly with the cabinets, this natural kitchen is a beautiful blank canvas for vintage farmhouse or cottage decor.
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We’ve seen multiple examples of how shiplap can make a home appear very casual and comfortable, but it also can bring an air of luxury with it. Take this primary ensuite bathroom, for example. A large abstract canvas is framed by two narrow black windows that create an idyllic backdrop for a two-tone clawfoot tub. On the floors is a beautiful herringbone pattern made of narrow slate tiles that gives an air of opulence, setting the stage for a spa-like experience.
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Very similar in appearance to beadboard, shiplap can be hung vertically to mimic a modern look. Panel width is the biggest difference between shiplap and beadboard, and wide-plank shiplap gives a more modern farmhouse feel that you’ll love for years, especially around your windows. This styling works great on an accent wall near deeper paint colors like dark blues, greens, or browns.
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Shiplap is wonderfully inviting in a beach house, and a stairwell with vaulted ceilings is a perfectly appropriate place to embrace a coastal design. Especially in an area with a window seat as this landing has, a soft blue cushion underneath a beaded chandelier gives the best shabby chic vibes. Shiplap couldn’t be more ideal in a home prone to natural wear and tear from the salty ocean air.
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There have been numerous examples of white shiplap walls, but what if you’re keen on a more natural look? It’s possible to find very soft wooden panels that can display their authentic, differentiated tones without needing paint. In this particular space, the shiplap panels are paired with a seafoam green wall that extends up to the ceiling with cream-colored bedding.
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It is common for beadboard to be framed with a chair rail or painted a contrasting color to the remaining walls. In this case, the homeowner extended the beadboard to the full height of the wall and painted it bright white to match the trim. This idea ensures that the room remains soft and neutral with plenty of flexibility for exciting decor like this arrangement of wicker baskets and the wreathed chalkboard. The panel lines are just subtle enough to add a nice dimension against a busy area rug.