
Installing a Shiplap Backsplash in The Kitchen
How to install vertical shiplap as a kitchen backsplash on a budget
Y’all this past week has been a blur of kitchen projects!
I don’t know what happened to us but after we extended the kitchen cabinets we got on a kitchen project roll.
After a year of going through this renovation it feels so good to finely see the light!
When I created our kitchen design board I had originally planned on doing a tile backsplash…

But the more I lived with the sample piece I picked out the more I realized I wanted something different.
So I started considering all the other possible backsplashes & decided shiplap was exactly what I wanted!
There are so many benefits to a shiplap backsplash:
- It is much more cost effective, the boards we used were about $8.50 a piece which is way cheaper than the tile I was originally wanting
- Shiplap is much easier to install, especially because this isn’t our first time doing it
- Shiplap (especially hung vertically) is timeless & can be repainted as many times as I want if I get bored of white
There are a few tricks though to installing it & I can’t wait to share them with y’all!
Installing a Shiplap Backsplash in The Kitchen
Supplies:
-Shiplap Boards
-Tape Measure
-Level
-Nails
-Jigsaw
Installing Vertical Shiplap

Start the shiplap on the lowest kitchen wall & decide where exactly you want to start the shiplap.
We chose to start it at the very start of this long wall, so we had about two boards hung before we even touched countertop.

Use a level to make sure your first couple pieces are perfectly straight.
Then attach each board with nails, if you are not hitting a stud, hold the gun at an angle & shoot the nails pointing up & down to secure them to the wall.

Once I did make it to the counter top, I used a scrap piece of shiplap board to make the depth I would need to cut out of my full piece.

Then I traced that line out on my full piece board so I would know where to cut the notch.

A jigsaw worked perfectly for cutting out all the notches & also the electrical outlets!

Once all the shiplap was up I filled all the nail holes with this white putty & caulked all the seams.

We also added a small piece of wall trim across the top for a more finished look.
I already had paint color matched to my cabinets so I used that on all the shiplap.

The vertical shiplap definitely makes the kitchen look so much taller & more grand!

I am so happy we chose to go this route, it is so subtly beautiful.

For the portion of the wall where the stove will be going we will be adding tile to give the space some dimension.

Now the only thing left to do is pick the tile & patiently wait for the stove to arrive…
Let me know what you think of our new backsplash & if you would ever use shiplap!
Follow along with our kitchen renovation here or on Instagram!
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What about water damage?? It’s going to get soaked and eventually water penetration no?
It’s actually a good bit back from the sink & so far water isn’t touching it. But you could definitely seal it if water was getting on it.
Can you tell me whether you put trim pieces where the shiplap was cut around your upper cabinets? I’m also wondering whether I will need a trim piece where the shiplap hits the counter top. Thanks!
Hi Kendall we did not add trim in either of those places but if you like that look it would be very easy to add it in!
I love the shiplap, I want to use it in my home myself.
You will love it!
What paint finish and color did you paint the backsplash?
Hi there! I went with Chantilly Lace in satin, but a semi-gloss would clean up even easier if you like that look!
Thank you so much for the post! I’ve had my heart set on a paneled backsplash for years and it’s not super common so I appreciate when people blog about it. You mentioned about doing tile behind the stove for more dimension — I’m curious if you wanted the look of vertical shiplap behind the stove do you see any issue with that?
Hi Emily! I am in deep love with our shiplap backsplash! My only concern with it behind the stove would be the extra wear and tear that cooking splatters or accidental smoke issues might cause… I only mention the smoke because if I am cooking there is bound to be some!