Few features tie a room together quite like a fireplace. From classic wood-burning hearths to sleek gas- or electric-powered models, a fireplace is on many homeowners’ must-have lists.
Of course, the fireplace itself is only a small piece of a much bigger puzzle. Designing the area around said fireplace is what really brings a space to life.
Shiplap is one of the biggest trends in fireplace design right now. And even if you think you’ve seen everything this material has to offer, we guarantee you’ve only scratched the surface.
Don’t believe us? Check out the shiplap fireplace ideas below!
Quick Look
- Natural Lumber
- Rustic Stone
- Scandinavian Sleekness
- Chevron Pattern
- Faux Fireplace
- Contrasting Colors
- Transitional Design
- Dark and Modern
- Floor-to-Ceiling Shiplap
- Seasonal Backdrop
- TV Shiplap Wall
- Space-Conscious Design
- Sleek Linear Hearth
- Rustic Mantle
- Matte Black
- Whitewashed Brick
- Subtle Texture
- DIY Built-In
18 Shiplap Fireplace Ideas That Prove It's Not Just For Farmhouses
1. Natural Lumber
White shiplap may be the go-to finish in contemporary design. But this material can be painted any color of the rainbow or — as in this example — left completely natural.
Natural-looking shiplap pairs beautifully with more modern elements like a built-in fireplace and all-white walls. Keeping the rest of the room decor to a minimum ensures that the shiplap fireplace is the main attraction.
2. Rustic Stone
There’s no denying the stylish appearance of a fireplace mantle covered entirely in shiplap. If you’re looking for a more traditional look, however, consider combining shiplap paneling with a material like brick or stone.
In this particular example, the use of a shiplap overlay above the mantle ensures that the fireplace stands out from the walls behind it.
While this fireplace design is incredibly simple, a few pieces of decor will quickly bring it to life with the aesthetic of your choosing! Plus, the wooden mantle shelf brings some much-needed warmth to the fireplace.
3. Scandinavian Sleekness
Despite its popularity, surprisingly few people know what Scandinavian decor actually looks like (it’s not all IKEA!). But the blend of organic textures with modern shapes makes Scandinavian design an ideal choice for many homes today.
Unpainted shiplap fits right in with the practical, natural aesthetic offered by most Scandinavian-inspired designs. While you can install shiplap anywhere to great effect, it works wonderfully as an accent wall around a gas or electric fireplace.
Placing minimalist artwork and decor above the mantle gives this wooden fireplace wall a modern touch. You could also mount a flatscreen TV over the fireplace as a tech-centric alternative.
4. Chevron Pattern
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We’re so used to seeing shiplap installed horizontally or vertically that it’s easy to forget just how much potential this material holds. In this example, shiplap has been used to create a chevron pattern above the fireplace mantle.
This fireplace design isn’t just unique in appearance. The chevron pattern actually pulls double duty by drawing the eye up and making the ceilings seem taller.
If chevron is a bit too much for your space, try installing diagonal shiplap boards for a more subdued take on this clever idea.
5. Faux Fireplace
A faux fireplace wall offers the architectural appeal of a real hearth without the expense or maintenance. When it comes to constructing a faux fireplace of your own, shiplap is one of the most DIY-friendly materials available.
In this room design, the fireplace insert has been filled with cut lumber. You could also use the space for extra storage or as a display for decor.
6. Contrasting Colors
Layering shiplap on top of more shiplap might seem excessive. Yet this fireplace surround does just that to amazing effect.
Installing shiplap of the same color around both your fireplace and the rest of the wall could make the fireplace seemingly fade into the background. The use of contrasting colors here, as well as the vertical trim surrounding the fireplace, prevents that from happening.
7. Transitional Design
There’s no arguing that the fireplace is the star of this living room design. Despite the oversized hearth and mantle, though, it doesn’t throw the rest of the space off balance. This is largely thanks to the subtle shiplap overlay above it.
The white shiplap also helps bridge the gap between the room’s rustic and modern elements. Without this small detail, the deer mount would look rather out of place against the rest of the furniture and decor!
8. Dark and Modern
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This deceptively simple fireplace surround proves that shiplap can be utilized in even the most basic of spaces.
It’s all about the details in this room. The blue-black shiplap paneling brings some much-needed contrast to the white walls around it. But the thin, golden mirror and minimal mantle decor keep the fireplace from feeling too weighed down.
If your home boasts a bit more color, then you could achieve a similar look with a mid-tone shade of shiplap. Or keep it light and classic with whitewashed paneling.
9. Floor-to-Ceiling Shiplap
Unlike fireplace surrounds that distance the hearth from the rest of the room, this setup blends everything together into one cohesive design.
Applying shiplap to the entire wall space (and the ceiling!) makes the room feel larger. The fireplace itself feels open and inviting to the entire room — not just accessible from the space directly surrounding it.
The use of exposed rafters and built-in shelving helps break up what would otherwise be a very uniform space. Painting the shiplap white also ensures the room doesn’t feel overwhelmed.
10. Seasonal Backdrop
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Shiplap makes a beautiful background for seasonal decor. If you dream of coordinating your fireplace mantle with the season, then a shiplap overlay is the ideal canvas.
Shiplap that is left natural or painted a neutral color is the most versatile. It’s also a good idea to invest in items that can stay on your mantle year-round. The statement mirror featured in this room design is a perfect example.
11. TV Shiplap Wall
This luxurious living room certainly has a lot going on. Using shiplap to fill the space above the fireplace ensures that you know where to focus your attention.
An alternative would be to paint part of the wall a different color. This strategy would throw off the room’s balance, however, and might clash with the TV when in use.
In a smaller room, vertical shiplap could be subbed in to create the illusion of taller ceilings. (Obviously, that’s not a concern here!)
12. Space-Conscious Design
If you’re struggling to incorporate a fireplace in a small space, then this should offer some much-needed inspiration.
If nothing else, it proves that you don’t need a larger-than-life mantle to make a fireplace worth your while. A fireplace like this one won’t eat up valuable square footage.
At first glance, this fireplace surround is deceptively simple. But using shiplap in a color that’s barely different than the walls expertly toes the line between standing out and blending in.
13. Sleek Linear Hearth
You may not recognize this vertical wood paneling as shiplap right off the bat. But a closer look reveals that this fireplace bears all of the hallmarks of shiplap executed with a modern twist.
Many details work together to make this shiplap fireplace look luxurious and contemporary. While you could certainly recreate this design using a different color of shiplap or style of fireplace insert, it wouldn’t have anywhere near the same impact!
14. Rustic Mantle
Unpainted shiplap is underappreciated in the world of interior design.
While there are plenty of examples that showcase how this material can be used in Scandinavian or industrial decor, this fireplace is a great example of shiplap’s warmer qualities.
This shiplap fireplace gives off a vintage- or cottage-inspired aesthetic. The asymmetrical boards only lend to this vibe.
15. Matte Black
It can be hard to find a balance between the innate beauty of wood and color theory. Since this shiplap has been painted with a matte formula, the natural wood grain still shows through.
While this room isn’t yet furnished, there’s a ton of potential hiding in this dramatic shiplap fireplace.
You could keep things simple, letting the fireplace be the star of the space as a whole. Or you could pair it with equally dramatic furniture and decor for a room design no one will forget.
16. Whitewashed Brick
Mixing and matching different patterns within a single space becomes significantly easier when you opt for natural materials. Take this room, for example, which blends white brick and shiplap perfectly into one wall.
The slightly imperfect shiplap boards mirror the look of the brick. Though a smoother shiplap wall would also work in this space, it wouldn’t have the same rustic effect.
Since this design is all about natural elements, the botanical artwork and earthy colors are perfect additions. We’d love to see this blended concept in a different color palette!
17. Subtle Texture
A passing glance could completely overlook the shiplap overlay in this room's design. And that’s perfectly fine!
This is yet another great example of how shiplap can be used to add extremely subtle texture and dimension to an otherwise minimal design. While you could increase the contrast by painting the shiplap a different color, it’s not at all necessary.
Another thing we love about this particular design is how the fireplace surround elongates the room, emphasizing the cathedral-style ceiling.
18. DIY Built-In
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Shiplap is a wonderful addition to any home design project. But it can be particularly useful when it comes to giving DIY projects a professional touch.
You could certainly recreate this built-in media center and fireplace mantle using regular old drywall.
Adding shiplap lets the structure stand out from the rest of the room while also eliminating the need for expert-level drywall skills. (In fact, this beautiful accent wall could be practically hollow and no one would ever be the wiser!)