Shiplap has surged in popularity as a design feature, offering texture and a rustic charm that can transform a room. However, its pronounced grooves and shadows can sometimes create visual clutter or make a space feel dated. Understanding how to cover up shiplap effectively allows you to preserve the texture while achieving a cleaner, more modern aesthetic, or to completely reinvent the wall’s role in the room.
Why Conceal the Ship
The decision to hide shiplap often stems from a desire for a minimalist backdrop. The deep channels of the boards can cast shadows that emphasize every imperfection, which can be distracting in a room painted with a bold color. Additionally, shiplap can limit your ability to use large, seamless art pieces or create a flat, even surface for projection in media rooms. Covering the boards provides a smooth canvas that maximizes flexibility in decorating and creates a more serene environment.
Painting: The Classic Transformation
One of the most popular methods for how to cover up shiplap involves applying a fresh coat of paint. The high contrast between the grooves and the flat panels creates depth, but painting the entire wall a single color flattens this visual noise. To achieve a flawless finish, you must commit to the process of filling the gaps.
Priming the Pits
Before painting, use a high-quality, thick spackle to fill the grooves. Apply the spackle generously with a putty knife, ensuring it gets deep into the cracks. Once dry, sand the surface until it is perfectly smooth. Skipping this step results in the grooves remaining visible, essentially defeating the purpose of the makeover.
Color Blocking for Dimension
If full coverage feels too sterile, consider a color-blocking approach. Paint the grooves a contrasting color to the boards themselves. This technique acknowledges the shiplap design while creating a modern, graphic look that hides minor imperfections and adds sophisticated depth without removing the feature.
Wallcoverings and Textiles
For those seeking warmth and texture without the "shiplap" look, wallcoverings offer an excellent solution. This is a prime method for learning how to cover up shiplap because it physically obscures the boards while adding personality.
- Grasscloth and Natural Fibers: These materials add organic texture and absorb sound, effectively muting the shadow lines of the ship.
- Mirrors: A large mirror installed over the shiplap creates the illusion of a new focal point and reflects light, making the entire room feel brighter and erasing the grid pattern below.
- Fabric Panels: Upholstering the boards with fabric—either stretched tight or attached as panels—softens the look significantly and introduces a cozy, tactile element.
Reclaimed Boards and Hardcover
Sometimes the best way to honor the history of shiplap is to cover it with something entirely new. Hardcover involves installing a secondary layer of drywall or plywood over the existing boards. This method creates a pristine, blank slate that is ideal for modern farmhouse or industrial designs.
This approach requires professional installation to ensure the new surface is perfectly flat and securely attached. While it is the most invasive option, it completely eliminates the old aesthetic and provides a durable substrate for any subsequent design choices, such as molding or wainscoting.
Strategic Paneling
If you want to maintain some of the ship’s character but reduce its prominence, partial coverage is key. You can install new, flat boards or planks over the existing shiplap, but only across the lower third of the wall to create a wainscoting effect. The remaining upper section of the original ship remains exposed, but because the eye is drawn to the distinct horizontal line of the new molding, the background recedes.
Architectural Accents
Finally, one of the most stylish answers to how to cover up shiplap is to frame it. Rather than hiding the boards, you can install wide, modern trim around the perimeter of the wall or around specific sections. This draws a clean line that visually "closes" the gap between the boards, transforming a rough texture into high-end architectural detailing. This method satisfies the need to neutralize the shadowing effect without committing to a full paint job or removal.
