Clean and classic, this cottage-style living room is the perfect place to enjoy every season of the year. The white shiplap pairs beautifully with the limewashed brick fireplace in the center of the room, while the beige sofa, white shag rug, and wooden furniture accentuate the country feel of the design. If you have a non-functioning fireplace, fill it with stacked wood to create a rustic feel and avoid leaving a space.
24 Simple Shiplap Living Rooms We Can’t Get Enough Of
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Published: January 1, 2024
Updated: December 12, 2023
Using shiplap as part of interior design came blazing back to our attention ten years ago, and it shows no signs of going away. This classic design is reminiscent of farmhouse and country living with its soft textures and subtle layers, making it the perfect choice to add a bit of depth and interest to any room in your home. And where better to enjoy it than in a shiplap living room where it can be seen and appreciated by everyone?
We know, however, that the traditional shiplap look isn’t for everyone. If that’s you, go for a more modern design by installing the paneling vertically. This approach has the added advantage of drawing the eye upwards, making ceilings appear higher and rooms more spacious. Try it out on an accent wall and see how it creates a wonderful, subtle focal point, especially when you paint it the same color as the surrounding walls.
Shiplap is here to stay, so get inspired by browsing through our gallery of the best living room designs we could find!
02 of Vintage Flair With Classic Wooden Furniture
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One of my favorite weekend activities is combing through thrift stores and estate sales for vintage furniture that can be refinished. These gorgeous wood pieces give a room a needed vintage flair that perfectly accompanies the white shiplap and a traditional, richly colored rug. Add a touch of modernity with large earthenware vases and dried florals to blend old and new.
03 of Whitewashed Living Room With Rust Accent Pillows
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I’m a huge proponent of neutral decor simply because it allows me to easily change the accent pieces and colors. This stunning farmhouse-inspired design is a wonderful example of this approach, with white shiplap walls, wicker furniture, and even a white wood-burning stove. A few rust accent pillows along the neutral sofa add the only color to the otherwise achromatic space.
04 of Contrasting Black Fireplace With Plant Decor
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If you’re looking to achieve a modern look, make sure you incorporate a black focal point somewhere in your interior design. The black brick fireplace in this living room adds a striking contrast to the white walls and sofa, while the authentic wood furniture gives a nod to classic style. Plenty of greenery accessorizing the room helps give an organic accent and a touch of life to any room.
05 of Rustic Wall Decorations in a Farmhouse Living Room
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Something about shades of white and natural materials immediately makes me feel calm and at ease. I can definitely imagine myself relaxing on this light beige sofa, taking in the distressed coffee table and repurposed window pane decor that accessorize the room. The rustic wooden ladder hung on the wall and simple wall decorations are ideal if you’re aiming for a farmhouse look.
06 of Coastal Decor With Blue Accents
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Even though I don’t live anywhere near the beach, I still adore coastal decor and would love to incorporate more seascape-inspired touches into my home. Using blue accents is the easiest way to achieve this, so the two blue sofas and blue and white hydrangeas immediately remind me of a sandy day on the shore. Using blue decor along the white built-in shelves framing the fireplace creates a cohesive design throughout the whole room.
07 of Simple Decor With Nature-inspired Accents
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With two busy preschoolers running around, I am all about simplicity in my home since it means less to keep clean and organized! This pristine, airy family room is a perfect inspiration, with a low off-white sectional layered with cozy pillows and chunky knit throws, creating an inviting atmosphere for family movie nights. The round, natural wood coffee table in the center of the room adds to the nature-inspired design.
08 of Chic and Elegant Vaulted Farmhouse Design
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My favorite part of interior design is the ability to be creative, unique, and individual. This vaulted living room is an amazing mix of rustic farmhouse and glamorous accessories with a pale shiplap wall and a gorgeous mauve accent color. When paired with the glass chandelier, richly patterned rug, and soft lighting, the overall effect is a soft elegance that is both welcoming and chic.
09 of Farmhouse Fireplace With Rustic Wooden Shelves
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A farmhouse living room is simply incomplete if it doesn’t include at least some shiplap. This rustic fireplace with a floating wooden mantel is the ideal showcase of farmhouse design with its subway tile surround and floating shelves mounted on either side. Stacked books, antique signs and lamps, and a few potted plants round out the vignette.
10 of Vaulted Shiplap Ceiling
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I adore vaulted ceilings thanks to the sense of light and space they create within a home. I particularly admire the large windows around this space, illuminating the room with the cozy glow of natural light. If shiplap on your walls is too rustic for your taste, try adding it to a ceiling with wooden beams for a more subtle use of texture.
11 of Modern Style With Classic Design
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Shiplap has been used in homes for hundreds of years, so it’s no wonder that the paneling can sometimes appear a bit dated. You can help balance this look by selecting modern furniture and paint colors. This living room helps strike the right tone with a modern, brown leather sofa and a medium gray credenza along one wall. Choose modern lighting to make sure your finishing touches create a cohesive design.
12 of Classic Shiplap Living Room With Barn Door
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White shiplap and a sliding barn door go together as perfectly as peanut butter and jelly. Keep it classic by selecting a white sectional and distressed wooden coffee table to pair with a framed mirror and dried plants along one wall. A simple family photo adds a bright accent to an otherwise neutral room.
13 of Vertical Paneling for an Elegant, Modern Update
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I always try to add a bit of texture when updating rooms in my home because I think it introduces depth and layers to my home’s design. Personally, I think the vertical shiplap look is an elegant update on a traditional shiplap look, especially when mixed with the low, green velvet armchairs and a modern lighting fixture. You can help soften the look of your paneling by painting it the same shade as the surrounding walls and ceiling.
14 of Subtle Shiplap With Built-in Shelves
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This shiplap is so close together it’s barely noticeable, which may be perfect for you if you want something subtle and discrete. The paneling wraps around two built-in bookcases with contrasting wooden shelves inside. The decor on each shelf stays true to the neutral shade, which is an easy way to achieve a high-end look without much expense and effort.
15 of Dark Red Carpet With Light Gray Wainscoting
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Too much shiplap isn’t for everyone, which is why using it as wainscoting is such a fantastic idea. The light gray paint helps define a small contrast between the smooth, white upper walls and the light gray shiplap below. The dark red rug on the floor below creates a sense of grounding that contrasts with the light sofa layered with pillows.
16 of Layered Textures for Cozy Warmth
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Interweaving soft textures throughout your home is a stunning way to add depth and interest without worrying about updating paint colors each time a new trend comes along. The vertical white shiplap in this living room is a gorgeous backdrop to a contemporary side table, especially with the gold lamps mounted above. A faded rug over the hardwood floors and brown leather sofas infuse the space with a cozy warmth while still staying true to the contemporary design.
17 of Classic Farmhouse With Modern Geometric Pillows
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Light, white spaces are a true sign of a farmhouse design, but don’t forget to add a bit of luxury and life to your home. The fun geometric patterns displayed on the white sofa add a modern twist to the white sofa and paneling, as do the branches displayed in the glass jug nearby. Don’t forget a dramatic lighting fixture to act as the crowning glory of your space!
18 of Original Shiplap in Coastal Design
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Few of us are lucky enough to have a home with genuine shiplap as an original feature. Most of us have to mimic the look with modern materials and techniques! However, if you uncover a wall with this authentic design, you should absolutely consider showcasing it as a feature wall. Layer neutral shades and decor with a bright accent color, like the shades of blue seen here that give the room a distinct coastal ambiance.
19 of Greige Shiplap With Vintage Accents
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We’re so used to seeing shiplap in a traditional white that we forget there are other possible shades! The lovely greige tone in this space adds warmth to the white walls and matches the chunky knit blanket draped across the sofa. Colorful vintage signs hung on the shiplap wall adds a fresh burst of color to the otherwise achromatic design.
20 of Maximizing Space With Light Colors
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If your home was built with low ceilings, there are definitely a few tricks that can help your space appear larger. Light paint colors are wonderful at reflecting light, as are recessed lights that don’t hang down low over your seating area. Add interest with a shiplap accent wall and neutral furniture to take maximize the decor without overcrowding the room.
21 of Simple Farmhouse Design for Peaceful Moments
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Farmhouse design reminds me of simple living and enjoying small, everyday moments. A cozy sitting area is an excellent spot to reveal in a quiet moment, particularly if it is as serene and peaceful as this one. The white shiplap is a traditional node, along with the arched mirrors hung on the wall above a cozy beige sofa. Two brown leather armchairs and a plush rug invite you to rest for a few minutes in the midst of a busy day.
22 of Rustic Country Living Room
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A white couch can be controversial, so it’s a good idea to test the waters to see if it fits your home and lifestyle well. Use a white slipcover to achieve the same effect, knowing you can wash it if it becomes stained or dirty. The small floral accents in the throw pillows and rug are must-haves for a cottage design, along with a few wooden accents. The blend of these two features makes the room a little bit country and a little bit rustic while still appealing to our modern tastes.
23 of Wide Plank Shiplap in Tight Spaces
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If you’re looking to add shiplap to a small and cozy space, go with a wider plank to help keep the look more neutral. This will add just the right touch of texture while not appearing too busy or crowded. The natural light from the nearby window seat perfectly illuminates the white walls and gives the room an airy feel.
24 of Shiplap Feature Wall With Beige Accents
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Shiplap on every room of your home can sometimes give visitors to your home a feeling of being closed in or confined, especially in a small space. Instead, be selective and choose the most visible room in your home to showcase this beautiful design feature. Paint the nearby walls in a darker shade to really make your paneling stand out.
