Shiplap brings texture, character, and timeless charm to laundry rooms by creating focal walls, accentuating storage features, and unifying functional elements into a cohesive design. Whether installed horizontally for a classic farmhouse look or vertically to emphasize height, shiplap pairs beautifully with floating shelves, industrial piping, and custom cabinetry to maximize both style and storage. From full-wall installations to partial backsplashes behind countertops or sinks, these 20 ideas demonstrate how shiplap can transform a utilitarian space into an inviting, multipurpose laundry hub that feels as intentional and curated as any other room in the home.
1. Classic White Horizontal Shiplap
Embrace the quintessential farmhouse aesthetic by installing white horizontal shiplap across an entire accent wall. Crisp white boards reflect light, visually expand the space, and serve as the perfect backdrop for metal hooks, wicker baskets, or framed art. Pairing this installation with dark-stained or painted cabinets creates a striking contrast that highlights the shiplap’s linear texture while maintaining a clean, airy feel.
2. Vertical Shiplap with Floating Shelves
Turn your laundry room into a stylish display by installing vertical shiplap planks and mounting floating shelves directly onto them. The vertical orientation draws the eye upward, creating an illusion of higher ceilings, while the shelves provide open storage for detergents, decorative jars, and plants. This combination merges form and function, giving you organized storage that feels integrated into the wall’s architectural rhythm.
3. Shiplap Backsplash Above Countertop
Protect and elevate the folding area by adding a shiplap backsplash above your washer-dryer countertop. This partial installation prevents scuffs and moisture damage while introducing a subtle texture contrast between the smooth countertop surface and the grooved boards. Opt for a semi-gloss paint finish to make cleanup easy, and consider a muted neutral tone for a sophisticated twist on traditional white shiplap.
4. Farmhouse Shiplap Sink Wall
Highlight the utility sink area by wrapping the sink wall in shiplap, framing it as a focal point. The shiplap’s clean lines provide a backdrop for vintage farmhouse sinks and black matte fixtures, enhancing the rustic charm. Incorporate under-shelf lighting or sconces to accentuate the texture, making the sink wall both practical and visually engaging.
5. Two-Tone Shiplap Accent
Create visual interest by painting the lower half of a shiplap wall in a darker hue—such as charcoal or navy—and keeping the upper half bright white. This two-tone approach breaks up the monotony, anchors storage elements like cabinets and shelves, and adds a modern edge to the classic shiplap look. A mid-height chair rail or ledge can neatly demarcate the color transition.
6. Shiplap Ceiling Treatment
Extend shiplap to the ceiling to envelop the laundry room in cohesive texture. Ceiling planks draw attention to architectural details and can make overhead lighting fixtures feel more integrated. This enveloping approach transforms a functional space into a cozy nook, especially effective in rooms with exposed rafters or beams.
7. Dark-Stained Shiplap Wall
Depart from the typical white by staining shiplap boards in a rich walnut or espresso tone. A dark-stained accent wall behind appliances brings warmth and depth, while the natural wood grain adds organic texture. Pair with lighter cabinetry or painted beadboard on adjacent walls to balance the drama and maintain brightness.
8. Shiplap with Industrial Pipe Shelving
Combine shiplap walls with industrial pipe shelving for an edgy farmhouse look. The shiplap provides a clean, uniform backdrop for black iron piping shelves that store baskets, folded linens, and decorative accents. This marriage of rustic wood and metal piping creates a functional display that’s both sturdy and stylish.
9. Reclaimed Wood Shiplap Accent
For eco-conscious design, source reclaimed wood planks for your shiplap wall. The distressed finish and varied tones add character and history, making the laundry room feel warm and authentic. Seal the wood to protect against humidity, and complement with simple white cabinetry to let the reclaimed textures stand out.
10. Shiplap Pegboard Wall
Integrate functionality by overlaying a shiplap wall with pegboard panels painted to match. This allows for customizable hooks and trays to organize tools, clothespins, and brushes. When not in use, you can swap out the pegboard inserts or paint them in contrasting colors for dynamic visual interest.
11. Shiplap Laundry Folding Station
Build a dedicated folding station by installing a countertop over the washer and dryer, then finishing the front apron with horizontal shiplap. This hides appliance gaps, creates a unified surface for folding, and ties the laundry station into the overall shiplap theme of the room.
12. Board-and-Batten Shiplap Hybrid
Merge shiplap and board-and-batten on a single wall for a layered effect. Install wide vertical battens over horizontal shiplap planks to frame cabinetry or a built-in bench. The interplay of horizontal and vertical lines adds architectural detail and can delineate separate functional zones within the laundry room.
13. Shiplap Chalkboard Feature
Combine creativity and function by painting one shiplap wall with chalkboard paint. Use it to jot down laundry reminders, motivational quotes, or family messages. The grooves in the shiplap lend rustic texture to the chalkboard surface, making it feel more integrated than a standalone panel.
14. Shiplap Under-Counter Storage
Maximize hidden storage by installing shiplap-faced sliding barn doors under the countertop. These doors conceal baskets and bins while echoing the shiplap aesthetic, creating a cohesive look and easy access to under-counter essentials without visible clutter.
15. Shiplap Mudroom-Laundry Combo
In a combined mudroom-laundry space, run shiplap on all walls for a cohesive backdrop to cubbies, bench seating, and hooks. The unified texture ties the transitional space together, turning an entryway-meets-laundry into a polished, functional zone that handles coats, shoes, and laundry chores seamlessly.
16. Partial Shiplap Wainscoting
Apply shiplap to the lower two-thirds of the wall as wainscoting, then paint the upper third in a complementary color or wallpaper. This approach adds texture without overpowering the room, and it protects the walls from scuffs and moisture in high-traffic laundry areas.
17. Trim-Framed Shiplap Panels
Frame shiplap panels with picture-frame molding to create recessed wall art. This adds visual sophistication by separating sections of shiplap into framed panels, perfect for highlighting behind open shelves or above cabinetry. The trim details elevate the shiplap from rustic to refined.
18. Shiplap Ceiling Beams Accent
Install faux ceiling beams in shiplap to add rustic architectural interest overhead. Painted or stained to contrast with the ceiling boards, these beams create depth and texture above while coordinating with a shiplap accent wall or cabinetry fronts below.
19. Shiplap Laundry Sink Backsplash
Rather than tile, extend shiplap boards behind a utility sink to serve as a backsplash. The slight gaps between boards allow water to drain into the grout-like caulk lines, and painted finishes make cleanup simple. This treatment turns a utilitarian feature into a design highlight.
20. Painted Shiplap Cabinet Fronts
Carry the shiplap theme onto cabinet doors by installing narrow horizontal boards as the door face. Painting these cabinet fronts in a coordinating color ties cabinetry into the shiplap walls, creating seamless visual continuity and adding textural detail to standard storage units.
Conclusion:
From full-wall installations to strategic accents behind countertops, shiplap offers unparalleled versatility in laundry room design. By varying board orientation, finishes, and integration with shelving, cabinetry, and decorative features, you can create a space that is both highly functional and rich in farmhouse-inspired character. Whether you prefer crisp white boards, reclaimed wood warmth, or bold two-tone contrasts, incorporating shiplap transforms routine chores into a delight and ensures your laundry room stands out as an intentional, stylish part of your home.
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