22 Shiplap Ceiling Ideas to Breathe Life into Your Space

Published: December 20, 2021

Updated: October 30, 2023

Ceilings are a key element in interior décor. Gone are the days where ceilings were an afterthought. We’re now witnessing an array of ornate designs crop up to define a room’s aesthetic, ranging from stenciled, high gloss, or even shiplap ceilings.

Decorating your ceiling with shiplap adds class, beauty, and aesthetic appeal to any room. You’ll find that most shiplap ceilings are painted white, although wooden alternatives are available as well. White-painted shiplap infuses a modern vibe, whereas natural wooden shiplap evokes mellow rustic delight.

When it comes to installation, shiplap can be mounted in a number of patterns— horizontal, vertical, or diagonal. Horizontally laid shiplap is well-suited for flat ceilings to achieve uniformity. For vaulted ceilings, why not try arranging them vertically? Diagonal installation adds a dramatic and trendy feel to any ceiling.

Whether you choose to DIY or use the services of a contractor, one thing is for sure—shiplap ceilings will spice up your space.

We’ve curated a list of 22 shiplap ceiling ideas below to give you tons of design inspiration.

01
of 22

Be Unique

Photo: 1920farmhousereno

Who says shiplap has to be painted white? Steer away from the norm and go for natural wood shiplap ceilings. Its warm brown hue and visible natural grains add warmth and a touch of nature, making this space feel cozy and inviting. The hardwood flooring also flawlessly ties together with the ceiling for a cohesive look.

02
of 22

Shiplap Walls and Ceilings

Photo: a.milesdesign

Install wooden beams or rafters to break up the monotony of an all-white shiplap ceiling. Here, the wood rafters pull the eye towards the ceilings. They also introduce a decorative flair as well as a warm pop of color to an otherwise neutral space.

03
of 22

Trick the Eye

Photo: amystudebakerdesign

If your space is cramped, paint it white, just like this attic room did. Bright white horizontal shiplap on both the walls and ceilings creates the illusion of more space, making this bedroom appear larger than it really is. This also gives off an airy and light feel.

04
of 22

Paint Your Wooden Beams

Photo: bloom_jennybrooks

If you don’t like the look natural wood beams, paint them white, as this bedroom did. They will still add depth and dimension, but won’t stand out or distract the eye. Paired with an all-white shiplap, these beams also bring a modern touch to the space.

05
of 22

Pair Vertical and Horizontal

Photo: candlewoodcottage

You don’t have to keep shiplap to just your ceiling. Install it on your walls too, just like in this farmhouse kitchen. By pairing vertical shiplap for the walls and horizontal shiplap for the ceiling, variety is introduced into the space, which yields an unexpected yet harmonious effect.

06
of 22

Settle on a Distinct Finish

Photo: cottagefarmhouse

If both your walls and ceilings use shiplap, consider using varying sizes and finishes for each. In this case, the shiplap ceiling panels are narrower and crafted from natural wood, which stands out against the wall’s thick white shiplap. The warm tones of the ceiling complement the open shelves for a put-together look. It also naturally draws the eyes with its charm, making it this kitchen’s focal point instead of an afterthought.

07
of 22

Shiplap Everywhere

Photo: farmhouse2020

Go all in and install white shiplap on your ceilings and walls, then paint your hardwood flooring white for a harmonious monochromatic look. Blending these elements together guides the eye into landing on your décor because it doesn’t have to focus on the ceiling, wall, or floor. In this case, the open shelves and a wooden chandelier instantly grab our attention and become the room’s focal point.

08
of 22

Reflect Light

Photo: featherglass

Maximize light reflection in your living room by painting your shiplap ceiling bright white. In a room with tons of natural light pouring in, a white ceiling keeps it looking airy, open, and clean. Coating the walls in the same bright hue gives the room a consistent look.

09
of 22

Draw Attention to It

Photo: holmessweethome_615

The first thing you notice as soon as you enter this modern farmhouse room is the wooden beams. Their dark stain contrasts beautifully against the white shiplap ceilings. The use of wooden beams eliminates the need for any art or décor—apart from the towering brick fireplace, of course.

10
of 22

Use Various Patterns

Photo: holmessweethome_615

In this farmhouse chic space, different patterned shiplap ceilings and thick wooden beams help visually separate the kitchen from the living room. Mixing these two together adds visual interest and allure, which keeps the look from becoming too monotonous, especially since the walls and cabinets are also white.

11
of 22

You Can Never Have Too Much White

Photo: homesweetlakehouse

An all-white finish lends this cottage-style kitchen a clean and fresh vibe. Since the room is tiny, painting the ceiling shiplap white brightens it up and prevents the space from feeling cramped. You can install a brick backsplash to add texture and tone down the repetition brought about by shiplap walls and ceiling.

12
of 22

Bold and Fearless

Photo: houseoffourdesign

Sometimes, it takes a single bold design choice to elevate white shiplap walls. In this particular living room, dark-painted wooden beams offer high contrast against the white walls and call attention to the high vaulted ceiling. The bold color also adds a bit of drama and edginess. This is a great look for contemporary and modern spaces.

13
of 22

Add Instant Character

Photo: kristin_kgdesigns

Because the main elements in this living room—the walls, ceiling, and floor—spot a monochromatic color palette, bare drywall ceilings would be extremely dull. Installing vaulted shiplap ceilings introduces a bit of intrigue, visual excitement, and personality without deviating from the neutral color scheme.

14
of 22

Follow the Overall Style

Photo: lifeamongthecedars

The raw wood shiplap of this vaulted ceiling instantly catches your eye due to its warm brown hue and natural grains. It also matches with the rustic touches in this living room, such as the barn door, piano, repurposed table, and door trim to tie the whole modern farmhouse style together. This creates a cozy retreat that the farmhouse style is well known for.

15
of 22

Add Beams to Your Shiplap

Photo: littlehiddenforest

Vaulted ceilings add drama to otherwise ordinary rooms. Why not further highlight this by installing wooden beams over a white shiplap ceiling? This will provide contrast and variation to an otherwise bland space, offer a breathtaking ambiance, and highlight the towering height of the room.

16
of 22

Create an Illusion

Photo: mistymorning_

Aside from ceilings, walls are also a great surface to install shiplap. In this cozy space, the ceiling and wall shiplap are mounted in different directions. Horizontal shiplap on the ceiling widens this narrow room, while vertical shiplap on the walls adds some height. These both work together to make the room seem wider and taller than it actually is. Using white for the shiplap also makes the room feel airier, adding to the effect.

17
of 22

Opt for a Different Hue

Photo: simplysoutherncottage

Bring in a splash of nature into your kitchen with a wooden shiplap ceiling. It adds additional warmth, which makes the space more homey. It’s also a lovely way to coordinate with existing features, like the kitchen island and open shelves, for a balanced, aesthetically pleasing space.

18
of 22

Add a Finishing Touch

Photo: theryanhaus_

If you’d like to liven up your white shiplap ceilings, adding wooden beams are an excellent choice. They lend depth, warm pop of color, and rustic charm, as seen in this living room. The beams also pull together the brown hues scattered throughout the space, piquing visual interest and adding a charming decorative touch to your space.

19
of 22

A Modern Feel

Photo: theryanhaus_

The sleek nature and stark white finish of this shiplap ceiling give off a contemporary vibe great for modern-styled spaces. The presence of trim framing adds another level of dimension, a hint of sophistication, visual intrigue. It also helps define the ceiling and adds the perfect finishing touch to this modern farmhouse dining room.

20
of 22

Accentuate Features in the Room

Photo: vintagewhitefarmhouse

Painting the shiplap ceiling the same shade of white as the walls helps enhance the other elements within this cottage bedroom. It allows the wooden touches in the bench, bedside tables, and hardwood flooring to really shine through and subtly captivate your attention. The all-white room also makes for clean and simple décor, which is perfect for minimalists.

21
of 22

Let it Stand Out

Photo: vt.diy.home

In this spacious living room, the wooden shiplap ceiling takes center stage and makes a huge statement due to its grand size. The ceiling also picks up the brown tones from the window trim, door casing, and hardwood flooring to create a harmonious finish. All of these hues create a welcoming space for relaxing.

22
of 22

Shiplap on Cathedral Ceilings

Photo: montgofarmhouse

Because the shiplap ceilings blend into the walls due to the use of similar white paint, the eye is forced to naturally land on the rich blue velvet armchairs. If you wanted the ceiling to become the focal point of the room, painting the wooden beams a bold color or adding a brightly-colored chandelier would have taken the attention away from the seats.

Zakhar Ivanisov

Meet Zakhar Ivanisov, a Seattle-based entrepreneur and design enthusiast at the helm of Soul & Lane. With a heart full of passion, Zakhar blends his business acumen and a keen eye for aesthetics to create spaces that are as inviting as they are stylish. His venture into the world of home decor and organization reflects a unique fusion of entrepreneurial spirit and a genuine love for transforming living spaces.

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22 Shiplap Ceiling Ideas to Breathe Life into Your Space

01 of 22

Be Unique

02 of 22

Shiplap Walls and Ceilings

03 of 22

Trick the Eye

04 of 22