How To Steal Joanna Gaines' Shiplap Look In The Kitchen

Are you a fan of modern farmhouse style? You likely have Joanna Gaines, "Fixer Upper" star and founder of the Magnolia Network to thank. Throughout her time renovating and decorating homes, this designer's personal style has become a bit of a phenomenon. Light, airy spaces blended with rustic and antique accents are her cup of tea, and, luckily for all of the viewers at home, this style is incredibly simple to DIY in your own space. One of the most common additions to her remodels is shiplap, a twist on wood paneling that perfectly toes the line between rustic and minimalistic. "I'm always an advocate for shiplap because it is simple to expose behind the walls in older homes, it adds effortless character, and elongates the space — giving the illusion it's larger," Gaines shared on the Magnolia Blog.

So, how do you incorporate this material into your own kitchen design? There are plenty of different ways. Whether you're looking to add a barely-there accent to help bring some life to your island or you're willing to go all-in on an accent wall, you can rest assured that the star behind this popular renovation show has tried it out first. If you have some nails, a few boards, and a bit of time on your hands, you can completely transform your kitchen into something "Fixer Upper" worthy in just a few hours.

The vent hood is one of the most overlooked items in the kitchen. For the most part, it blends into the background, and is only really considered after you've smoked up the kitchen while preparing dinner. If you're willing to get creative, however, you can turn your vent hood into a stylish accent that helps to tie your entire kitchen's design together. While it might seem unwise to mess with the design of such an important and functional appliance, it's completely safe to cover the exterior of your vent hood as long as you leave the fan exposed.

Hiding your stove range hood is all the rage, so why not take a page out of Joanna Gaines' book and use this opportunity to bring in some texture with shiplap? If you're going for a true rustic look or want to warm up the space, keep the wood raw to showcase its natural texture. On the Magnolia Blog, Gaines shared a perfect example of this idea. She had a vent hood cover custom made out of the same wood she used for decorative shutters in the same room, helping to keep the look consistent throughout the space. If you're not a fan of the natural wood style, you can also choose to match the vent hood's color to your cabinets, island, or walls with a coat of paint.

Many of Joanna Gaines' home transformations lean heavily into modern farmhouse style. This serves as a great point of inspiration if it aligns with your personal taste. But if you're looking for a more subtle way to dip your toes into this aesthetic, consider opting for a smaller accent, like a bit of shiplap along the sides of your kitchen island. This is a very simple, low-risk, and low-cost project thanks to the fact that it covers a relatively small area and typically isn't the first place you look when you walk into a kitchen. If you're worried about causing permanent damage, you can even install your shiplap with Command Strips to turn this into a rental friendly DIY.

While this project is a subtle change, it can have a big impact on the overall feel of your space. Kitchens, especially when kept minimalistic or monochromatic, can start to feel a bit flat or sterile. A touch of shiplap along the island will help refresh your kitchen by adding texture, whether you choose to leave it raw for a real wood look or decide to paint it to match your cabinets.

One of the easiest and most flexible ways to incorporate shiplap into your kitchen is by creating a feature wall. Joanna Gaines knows this well — so much so that she carries a Shiplap Wallpaper in her Magnolia store specifically designed for this purpose. Whether you choose to create a faux shiplap look or go all-in on the real thing, you can rest assured that adding this accent to a boring spot in your kitchen can go a long way in helping to create that cozy modern farmhouse look.

As with any shiplap DIY, you have plenty of flexibility when it comes to the style and placement of this project, meaning you can cater the final look to create the exact impact you're going for. Install your panels horizontally to create a cozy, grounded look, or align them vertically to help draw the eye upwards and make the ceiling look taller. If you want a major change in your space, choose a large wall or paint your shiplap a bold color that contrasts with the rest of the kitchen. A subtle accent is possible, too — just opt for a smaller area and match your accent wall to the wall color throughout the rest of the room. This way, you'll get the benefits of that extra dose of texture without overwhelming the rest of your design.

If a full feature wall still feels like a bit much, you can also use shiplap as an affordable and sleek alternative to a traditional kitchen backsplash. This project, as with any backsplash DIY, will likely require some precise cuts and placement, but it can help you avoid the extra step of having to grout tile. While this accent can work with pretty much any kitchen design, Joanna Gaines is a particular fan of using it in conjunction with open shelving. By removing the upper cabinets, covering the wall with shiplap, and adding on shelves instead, she creates a more airy and open look that's especially beneficial in smaller spaces.

With that being said, however, there are a few considerations you should make before deciding on this backsplash for your kitchen. Real wood isn't particularly durable against fire or water, especially if it's not properly sealed, so it's not the best choice if you're worried about maintenance or intend to place your backsplash directly above a burner. Instead, consider opting for wood-look tile. This approach combines the durability of porcelain with the simple, rustic look of shiplap, meaning you'll get the best of both worlds in your kitchen.

If your kitchen feels boring and you can't quite put your finger on why, the solution might just be to look up. Ceilings are often overlooked as a potential canvas, but there are plenty of ways to accessorize them to create a statement with your kitchen design. One of the best is — you guessed it — adding shiplap. This approach can be used to give an extra boost to any kitchen that feels a bit bland, but it can also be incredibly beneficial if you have an open floor plan. On the Magnolia Blog, Joanna Gaines shared a behind-the-scenes look into her design process during Season 3, Episode 11 of "Fixer Upper." Because she was working with a very open room, she added raw shiplap in a small area on the kitchen ceiling to better define the space.

Whether you choose to use it as a small accent or an all-over material, one of the most important considerations you can make when adding shiplap to your ceiling is the color. As a general rule of thumb, light-colored ceilings help to reflect light and make a room feel more airy, while darker ceilings create a cozy, intimate look. Raw wood or dark shiplap ceilings are the perfect bold accent to warm up a space, but you can also opt for a coat of light paint or whitewashed wood to help keep things feeling breezy.