If you’ve been thumbing through interior design magazines or setting up decorating boards on Pinterest, chances are you’ve been seeing more and more shiplap recently. This popular interior design element achieves a charming aesthetic that’s perfect for any modern farmhouse decor. While it looks sophisticated, many do-it-yourselfers are happy to find out that mastering the trend is often as simple as taking a trip to the hardware store. 

What Is Shiplap?

While shiplap is a feature in modern interiors, it’s by no means a new material. As a wood plank featuring pieces which fit together horizontally, shiplap has an interlocking tongue-and-groove system that was originally used to accommodate expansions and contractions due to humidity changes. For this reason, the material has been widely used inside barns and sheds for many years. It even dates back to the Viking era, when it was used on ships. Nowadays, savvy homeowners are using it to bring character and an element of interest to their interior spaces.

How Can You Use It in Your Home Design?

While peel-and-stick shiplap is becoming increasingly popular, you can make your own easily using pieces of wood from the hardware store. You can use any type of lumber; just be sure to allow plenty of time for the wood to acclimate before installation. Ask a hardware store associate for quarter-inch plywood boards and then cut them into planks.

There are many creative ways to incorporate shiplap into your home design in virtually every room. For example, a shiplap headboard can give your bedroom a major facelift, while it can also be placed above the fireplace for a trendy and affordable mantle design. Some individuals like to create statement walls in the kitchen or dining room, featuring floor-to-ceiling shiplap, while adorning entryways with the material running halfway up the wall is also an attractive option. You might also consider using shiplap to section off a cozy reading nook or sitting area. 

If you’re planning your own shiplap project or any other do-it-yourself interior decorating endeavor, you’ll find everything you need at Ideal Supplies. As a trusted hardware store in Kenton County, KY, this supply center has been providing quality products and services to members of the community for more than 50 years. From painting and plumbing supplies to lumber and gardening tools, they have a diverse inventory to support your home improvement project. Get a peek into some of their supplies online, or call (859) 491-6666 to speak with an associate.