Surprisingly few details stand between good and incredible interior design. One such element you’ve probably overlooked in your own home is the ceilings.
Shiplap ceilings are a wonderful way to add texture, color, or both to your interior living spaces. Wooden panels can also be cleverly used to hide water stains, outdated popcorn texture, and other imperfections.
Despite the material’s reputation, shiplap ceilings coordinate with practically every decor trend under the sun. Gone are the days when shiplap was only seen alongside rustic or farmhouse design.
Keep reading to discover the true potential of shiplap and how to utilize this versatile material to decorate your own ceilings!
Quick Look
- Mix-and-Match Ceilings
- Shiplap with Exposed Rafters
- Beachy Shiplap
- Geometric Sunroom Ceiling
- Modern Vaulted Ceiling
- Shiplap Porch Ceiling
- All-White Shiplap and Rafters
- Dramatic Vaulted Ceiling
- Shiplap Entryway Ceiling
- Short Ceiling with Shiplap
- Painted Shiplap
- Different Wood Finishes
- Distressed Shiplap
- DIY-Friendly Vaulted Ceiling
- Sleek and Modern Shiplap
- Shiplap Tray Ceiling
- Rough-Hewn Shiplap
- Dark and Rustic Shiplap
- Dining Room Ceiling
- Knotty Pine Ceiling
20 Creative Shiplap Ceiling Ideas That Will Have Your Home Looking Up
1. Mix-and-Match Ceilings
Applying any type of decorative finish to a ceiling can be a big leap of faith in terms of interior design. So seeing two unique ceiling styles side-by-side can be a bit surprising.
This home design proves that installing shiplap alongside exposed rafters can not just be done but is incredibly effective. It’s aesthetically pleasing as well as a great way to divide the open-concept space without divorcing one area from the other.
If you choose to recreate this idea yourself, be sure to choose a complementary ceiling design to go with your shiplap paneling. A rustic concept like these wooden rafters is the perfect pairing.
2. Shiplap with Exposed Rafters
Installing shiplap ceiling panels in an adjacent space to exposed rafters is one thing. Combining the two materials into a single room is something else entirely.
The white shiplap in this design is neutral enough to not detract from the wooden rafters. The same could be said for the rafters themselves, which are relatively simple and blend well with the shiplap.
Layering natural wood over a white ceiling creates just enough contrast without overwhelming the space. For a more subtle version of this idea, you could paint shiplap and rafters alike a single color.
3. Beachy Shiplap
Many people associate the shiplap trend exclusively with farmhouse decor. In reality, this material goes well with all types of rustic-inspired design.
In this kitchen, the shiplap ceiling gives the space a slightly weathered, beachy aesthetic. The extra-wide board and visible seams only add to this visual effect.
If you move your focus down to the rest of the kitchen, you’ll notice that everything else is extremely modern. The shiplap ceiling alone adds a ton of character to this otherwise streamlined design.
4. Geometric Sunroom Ceiling
View this post on Instagram
You may not think that creating geometric patterns in your shiplap ceiling would have a big impact on the room at large. But you’d be mistaken.
This sunroom is bright and colorful, offering the perfect balance of casual comfort and formal style. Not only does the ceiling match this tone exactly. It also creates the illusion of a vaulted ceiling.
Recessed lighting is the ideal choice for this ceiling. Alternatively, you could hang a statement pendant light in the center of the room.
5. Modern Vaulted Ceiling
At its core, shiplap is very rustic. But you shouldn’t be afraid to think outside of the box when using this material on your walls or ceilings.
There’s no question that this home is designed to be incredibly sleek and modern. One would think that adding wood panels to the ceiling would detract from the overall look.
However, the shiplap-style ceiling brings much-needed warmth to the space as a whole.
Another thing to take note of is how the shiplap ceiling has been used to create division between one room and another. The change in color and texture actually draws attention to the vaulted ceiling rather than making the space feel smaller.
6. Shiplap Porch Ceiling
You should definitely think about adding shiplap panels to your home’s interior ceilings. But what about the ceilings outside of your home?
Paneled porch ceilings are actually very common. While this example keeps things simple with white boards, you can bring some interesting color to the space with your paint shade of choice.
Be sure to select shiplap that can stand up to the elements. Consider adapting this idea to your covered deck or sunroom, as well.
7. All-White Shiplap and Rafters
How do you make a white ceiling more interesting? You could draw inspiration from this example by adding shiplap boards and exposed rafters.
Making changes to your home’s ceilings can be a daunting task, especially if the ceilings aren’t particularly high. So sticking to an all-white color palette will ensure that the space feels as light and bright as possible.
8. Dramatic Vaulted Ceiling
Shiplap is a wonderful way to draw attention to your home’s dramatic vaulted ceilings. This idea works equally well whether you’re dealing with a slanted shed ceiling or a larger-than-life cathedral ceiling.
In this example, the shiplap does double duty by adding visual texture and helping the ceiling’s shape to stand out. If this ceiling was all one, flat surface, it would blend together and lose its characteristic dimension.
The simple recessed lighting in this ceiling allows the shiplap to take the spotlight. However, you could also pair this idea with a chandelier or modern pendant lights.
9. Shiplap Entryway Ceiling
View this post on Instagram
Shiplap ceilings can be super effective even when they’re just a small portion of the total design. Just take this stylish entryway for example!
Using something like shiplap to finish your ceilings is a great way to disguise imperfections left behind by old light fixtures or general wear and tear.
10. Short Ceiling with Shiplap
It might feel counterintuitive, but decorative finishes can be even more impactful on a short ceiling than on a vaulted one. This design technique draws the eye upward, creating the illusion of more vertical space where there isn’t much, to begin with.
The shiplap ceiling in this entry breathes space into the room in more ways than one. Orienting the shiplap panels parallel with the hallway walls is a key step toward making the space feel larger.
Meanwhile, the addition of elegant crown molding gives the shiplap ceiling a classic aesthetic rather than a rustic one.
11. Painted Shiplap
View this post on Instagram
Color and ceilings generally don’t mix in interior design. This leads to countless missed opportunities for homeowners looking to give their ceilings a unique twist.
These gray-blue shiplap panels toe the line between bold and neutral perfectly. The thin trim along either side creates a clean transition between walls and ceiling.
If white walls aren’t your style, give the entire space a fresh coat of paint to match your new ceiling (this will also make the room feel bigger!).
12. Different Wood Finishes
You can utilize a shiplap ceiling in your home even if wood paneling exists elsewhere. In this example, wood has been successfully applied to the floor, wall, and ceiling to create a warm and modern space.
This design works because each surface boasts a different finish. Most importantly, the shiplap on the ceiling is painted white to match the rafters and main walls.
Another way to bring this idea to life would be to use matching shiplap on the ceiling and accent wall. This would make the room feel even brighter and more open than it already is.
13. Distressed Shiplap
The distressed finish utilized in this room probably isn’t for everyone. But it’s a stunning example of how versatile shiplap can be in terms of design potential.
This ceiling design is the perfect choice for a seaside beach home or even a three-season porch.
Using the same material for the ceiling and walls makes the room appear bigger overall. However, you could also mix and match this shiplap ceiling with neutral painted walls for a more subdued aesthetic.
14. DIY-Friendly Vaulted Ceiling
Vaulted ceilings are extremely desirable in the contemporary design world. But some styles of vaulted ceiling can create a ton of surface area that would traditionally sit empty.
Applying shiplap panels to your vaulted ceiling adds the perfect amount of texture. As you can see in this example, the shiplap doesn’t detract from the decorative rafters or hanging light fixtures at all.
If your vaulted ceilings are in need of a little TLC, installing shiplap could be easier than other refinishing methods. Take this into account when planning your next interior update!
15. Sleek and Modern Shiplap
What makes this ceiling design stand out from others? Most notably, it’s a wonderful example of how shiplap can be used to add modern angles to a space.
Many shiplap ceilings opt for an updated take on the material, minimizing the interlocking gaps between each board. However, the prominent lines running along this ceiling are our favorite part.
By keeping the shiplap on this ceiling clean and symmetrical, it’s able to blend right in with the otherwise ultra-contemporary decor within the room.
16. Shiplap Tray Ceiling
While not your standard shiplap ceiling, this is one of the most unique wood-paneled ceiling designs we’ve come across. And there are countless ways to borrow inspiration from it for use in your own home.
There’s a lot going on here. On top of featuring natural wood shiplap running in two directions, this ceiling also contains several tray elements.
Breaking up the ceiling with paneled trays prevents the wood finish from making the room feel too dark and confined. It also seamlessly defines each area within the open-concept floor plan.
17. Rough-Hewn Shiplap
Sometimes opting for a rough, organic look is the best utilization of wood in any home design.
This unique ceiling takes full advantage of the wood’s natural beauty. The wide knotty boards are framed by an interesting twist on crown molding.
Keeping the furniture and decor within this space bright and modern ensures that the ceiling is the star of the show. After all, it would be a shame to overshadow this one-of-a-kind ceiling.
18. Dark and Rustic Shiplap
This dark, rustic ceiling contrasts starkly against the rest of the light and airy space. The end result is an interesting melding of organic, minimalist, and industrial design aesthetics.
This style of shiplap ceiling definitely won’t suit all rooms. The weathered finish is a great alternative to traditional stained wood if you’re looking for something cool-toned.
Combine this shiplap ceiling idea with Scandinavian-inspired decor to balance out its rustic and modern qualities.
19. Dining Room Ceiling
View this post on Instagram
There’s always room to think creatively when planning out your next home redesign. So why not draw ideas from this beautiful, geometric shiplap ceiling?
This unique ceiling sits above a dining room — the shiplap panels perfectly frame the chandelier in the middle.
If your interior decor style leans more toward a classic cottage aesthetic instead of modern farmhouse, this is the ideal way to incorporate shiplap throughout your home.
20. Knotty Pine Ceiling
View this post on Instagram
Unpainted shiplap blends seamlessly with Scandinavian-inspired design trends. A natural shiplap ceiling is a great option if you have a room in need of some extra warmth.
When selecting shiplap for your ceilings, opt for a wood variety with plenty of natural texture. This ceiling in particular boasts tons of color variation, mostly in the form of knots in the lumber.
You can use this style of shiplap ceiling to mirror natural hardwood floors. Consider choosing a finish similar to the other wooden elements in the space.