This “Dated” Living Room Trend Is Getting a Major Makeover, Thanks to These 2 Designer-Approved Hacks

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If you watched any home design shows in the mid- to late-2010s, you’d find it hard to believe there’d ever be a time when homeowners would miss the chance to install shiplap. The white, horizontal wood panels that neatly overlap with one another became an immediate mainstay when Chip and Joanna Gaines installed it during a farmhouse renovation on Fixer Upper in 2013. “It was authentic to the farm, [and we] painted it white,” Joanna Gaines told Apartment Therapy in 2021. “There is this fresh kind of take on something that’s old and rustic,” she added.

That “fresh kind of take” stuck with people — and shiplap wall treatments soon dominated home design trends. But after a 10-year stronghold, real estate agents and interior designers say their clients are starting to rethink how shiplap is installed and styled, and some people are ditching it entirely.

When Apartment Therapy surveyed both homebuyers and a selection of real estate experts over the summer, we asked about the home trends that are on their way out, and both groups said shiplap is on the decline. In fact, more members of each group selected shiplap than any other trend.

How did shiplap go from a must-have to a dated design trend? Below, real estate and design experts explain why it’s falling out of favor, plus the types of wall treatments that are taking its place. 

While there’s a case to be made for Chip and Joanna popularizing the design material, shiplap has been around for centuries. The interlocking boards meant to keep out water were originally used on — you guessed it — ships. And before bringing the slats indoors, shiplap was used as exterior siding on farmhouses and coastal homes. 

But it seems people have had enough of rustic indoor shiplap designs in every home. 

“Shiplap will always feel classic in a farm or country house, but the general public is starting to realize it’s reached oversaturation,” says Niki Conte, principal designer at Northshire Living, a full-service house remodeling firm in Vermont. She says shiplap requests “have definitely cooled off” in the last year. “We’ve even had clients eliminate it at the last minute, worried it was too trendy,” Conte adds.

Designers who participated in Apartment Therapy’s 2024 design trend prediction survey agreed, saying this is the year to say goodbye to shiplap. And it looks like that prediction is coming true: Nikki Beauchamp, an associate broker with Sotheby’s International Realty in New York City, says that she rarely sees shiplap in homes anymore.

When you think of shiplap, you’re probably picturing the ubiquitous horizontal, white boards — but designers and stagers say there are ways to make shiplap feel fresh. 

Vertical shiplap, for instance, can be great for rooms with lower ceilings, as the vertical lines help draw the eye up and down, says Sarah Bronstein, a North Carolina-based interior designer and real estate broker at Sukkha Interior Design. Shiplap can also add dimension and texture and make a room feel cozy, according to Cristy Lee, a renovation expert, interior designer, and HGTV personality. 

Painting shiplap in bold colors can also help it feel fresh, according to Kristen Reyes, a Dallas-based interior designer and CEO of Sey Interiors. 

But shiplap doesn’t tend to work universally in all styles of homes. “We wouldn’t advise a client who lives in a traditional-style home to incorporate [shiplap],” Reyes says. “It’s best to use it in homes of a farmhouse or coastal style, which is where it would have traditionally been used before it became a trend.”

Another lookout from Lee: Remember that shiplap can require extra attention when it’s time to clean because the planks collect dust. 

Amy Wimmers, a Lubbock, Texas-based real estate agent with a background in interior design, says current home design trends are leaning away from shiplap and toward other materials and finishes.

“For example, sleek, minimalist designs and textured wall treatments like wallpaper, Venetian plaster, or even natural stone are gaining traction,” she says. Beauchamp is also noticing a trend of statement wallpapers in the homes she’s touring on the market.

Conte says new takes on paneling, including vertical slat paneling and fluted panels, are currently the most in-demand wall treatments. “They’re much more modern and contemporary and work great in [newer] homes, but they can also bring a modern twist to more traditional spaces too,” she says.

Thinking about selling your home and want to net the highest dollar for it? 

Some wall treatments have more universal appeal than shiplap, according to real estate experts. To make your plain walls more inviting (but not polarizing), try neutral paint colors. Shades like warm beiges or off-whites create a versatile backdrop and let potential buyers envision their own style and furnishings in the space, Wimmers says. 

“Neutral colors are also ideal for resale value because they offer a blank slate and can make rooms appear larger and more cohesive,” she says. 

Crown molding adds a touch of sophistication to any room, she says, and it can work well in contemporary and traditional homes, making it a safe bet for long-term appeal. Wainscoting, which involves paneling the lower portion of walls, also adds character and depth and is another timeless feature.

Additionally, Wimmers likes brick or stone accents because they offer a classic, natural look that will appeal to buyers who appreciate architectural elements with a bit of history.

But if you have shiplap walls, don’t stress. Amanda Wiss, the founder of New York City-based home staging company Urban Staging, says she works with what the space gives her. If there’s shiplap on the walls, she’ll tone it down with plants and other decor. “Hang art to break up the monotony of the lines, and be sure to keep a warm color palette and lighting to avoid getting too nautical,” she advises.

If selling your house isn’t a top priority and you’re still all in on shiplap, then display it proudly — design is personal, after all.