Shiplap Wallpaper – How To Get The Look For Less (Even If You’re A Renter!)

Let’s be honest, what do you think of when you hear the words “shiplap wallpaper”?

Cheap looking alternative?

Way too far from the real thing to be a nice option?

I’m a shiplap lover. If given the choice, every wall in my home would be a pretty white shiplap. Every single one of them!

But as I sit here and stare at my builder-grade greige walls, knowing that we’re likely to move again in the next year or so, that’s just not a feasible or budget-friendly option.

So what’s a shiplap lover to do?

Cue shiplap wallpaper.

SHIPLAP WALLPAPER – HOW TO GET THE LOOK FOR LESS

As I was searching for ways to create a shiplap feature wall without permanently damaging the wall or spending a fortune, I stumbled upon peel and stick shiplap wallpaper.

You heard right – peel and stick!

Those words alone got me to keep reading. No way was I going to go through with the old way of gluing paper to the wall.

Peel and stick wallpaper would allow me to easily adjust it on the walls if needed AND comes off easily without damaging the walls (that’s right, renters! You can do this too)!

And when I found a textured shiplap wallpaper for a reasonable price, I knew what I had to do.

Two days later (thanks, Amazon Prime!), I was staring at my beautifully textured, white/gray, fool-proof shiplap wallpaper!

WHAT YOU NEED

Now before we go further, let’s chat quickly about what you need for this project.

• Peel & Stick Shiplap Wallpaper (measure the square footage of your wall(s) prior to ordering, then add a little extra knowing that you’ll need to cut and align each sheet!)
• Exacto knife
• Wallpaper smoother
• Level

I already had a level, and I found this convenient wallpapering tool kit on Amazon for less than $10 that had everything else I needed!

So once it all arrived, it was smoooooth sailing!

GETTING STARTED ON YOUR WALL

Now comes the fun part – installing the wallpaper!

I have to say, I was a little intimidated at first. What I was most stressed out about was making sure I kept the lines level and lined up each panel appropriately.

You see for some reason, our walls, ceilings, and floors aren’t quite perfect. And by aren’t quite, I mean right angles and straight walls are hard to come by. Don’t ask me why. I’ll never know.

But for this reason, I highly recommend using your level to make sure your wallpaper lines are straight instead of gauging it based on the ceiling or floor!

Start to peel off the backing of your wallpaper a little bit at a time and, using your level, place your wallpaper on the wall. Use your smoother to get out all the air bubbles a little at a time, and continue to pull the backing off the sheet a couple feet at a time, continuing to smooth as you go.

Smooth the wallpaper out all the way until you reach the baseboards, then use your Exacto knife to cut the wallpaper.

Take a minute to line up the wallpaper for your next strip, ensuring the right shiplap boards are lined up for a seamless continuation of your wallpaper, then repeat the process!

Use your Exacto knife to cut around any outlets, vents, etc., and continue lining up your shiplap boards and using your level until your wall is covered!

A FEW PRO TIPS

• If you’re new to wallpapering, I highly recommend starting with a wall with very few windows, vents, attachments, etc.
• Over-buy your wallpaper, then return it if needed. Better to have too much than too little! And remember, you may need extra square footage so you can line up your shiplap boards properly!
• Extra wallpaper? Use it on the back of shelves or built-ins, frame it, or find another small wall in your home that could use a little oomph!

And finally, once you’re finished wallpapering, take a step back and admire all your not-so-hard work and start contemplating your next wallpapering project (because yeah, it’s that easy!).

Are you a fan of wallpaper? Think you’ll try it now? Let me know!