Shiplap TV Wall Ideas for Stylish Viewing

In my years as an architect and interior designer, I have seen shiplap evolve from a strictly nautical or farmhouse trend into a timeless tool for adding architectural depth. A flat drywall surface often feels unfinished behind the sleek, black void of a modern television. Adding texture through shiplap anchors the technology, making the TV feel intentional rather than like an afterthought.

I often tell clients that the wall behind your screen is just as important as the screen itself because it sits in your direct line of sight for hours at a time. Through the lens of evidence-based design, we know that introducing natural textures and organized linear patterns can lower stress levels and visual noise.

If you are looking for visual inspiration, you can scroll down to see our curated Picture Gallery at the end of the blog post. However, I highly recommend reading through the architectural principles below first so you can execute these ideas correctly in your own home.

1. Establishing the Proper Scale and Viewing Height

Before we select materials or paint colors, we must address the ergonomics of the space. As a designer, my biggest pet peeve is a television mounted too high. It is uncomfortable, aesthetically unbalanced, and violates basic ergonomic principles.

The center of your television screen should align with your eye level when seated. For the average sofa, this places the center of the screen approximately 42 to 48 inches off the floor. If you are installing a shiplap feature wall, you need to map this out first to ensure your carpentry frames the TV correctly.

When installing shiplap, the horizontal lines act as a visual ruler. If your TV is off-center or tilted, the parallel lines of the boards will make the error painfully obvious. Precision is mandatory here.

Designer’s Note: The Rule of Thirds

In architectural layouts, we often use the rule of thirds. When designing your media wall, try to ensure the TV covers about two-thirds of the wall width, or that the console beneath it is at least 25% wider than the TV. This prevents the screen from looking “top-heavy.”

Common Mistakes + Fixes

Mistake: Mounting the TV too high above a fireplace just to fit the shiplap grid.
Fix: Use a “MantelMount” or similar pull-down bracket that allows the TV to drop to eye level when in use, while hiding the hardware against the shiplap when idle.

Mistake: Using a rug that is too small for the viewing zone.
Fix: Ensure your area rug extends at least 6 to 10 inches beyond the ends of your media console to ground the space visually.

2. Material Selection: Acoustics and Pet-Friendly Durability

Shiplap is not merely aesthetic; it serves a functional purpose regarding acoustics. Drywall is highly reflective of sound, which can cause audio from your movies to sound tinny or echoey. Wood cladding absorbs and diffuses sound waves, creating a warmer audio experience.

However, the material you choose matters immensely, especially if you have pets or high humidity. In my practice, I rarely recommend genuine raw pine for households with large dogs or active kids because pine is a softwood that dents easily.

Real Wood vs. MDF vs. PVC

Hardwood (Oak/Poplar): The gold standard. It is durable, stains beautifully, and withstands impact. It is the best choice for pet owners who worry about scratching.
MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard): This is excellent for painted walls because it is smooth and lacks knots. However, it swells if it gets wet. Do not use this if your TV wall is near a patio door or in a basement with variable humidity.

PVC/Composite: Great for basements or high-traffic zones. It is virtually indestructible and waterproof, making it easy to wipe down if a wet dog shakes off nearby.

What I’d Do in a Real Project

If I am designing a rental-friendly space or working with a strict budget, I often use 1/4-inch plywood ripped into 6-inch strips. We use nickels as spacers during installation. It mimics the look of high-end shiplap for a fraction of the cost. For homeowners, I specify pre-primed nickel gap boards made of poplar for the sharpest, most professional finish.

3. Color Psychology and Managing Glare

Evidence-based design teaches us that high contrast causes eye strain. If you have a bright white shiplap wall and a pitch-black TV screen, your iris constantly adjusts between the bright wall and the dark screen. This causes fatigue.

To create a restful viewing experience, I recommend painting the shiplap wall in a mid-tone or dark color. Charcoal, navy, forest green, or even a deep taupe reduces the contrast ratio. This allows the TV to blend into the background when it is off and makes the colors pop when it is on.

The Finish Factor

The sheen of your paint is critical on a media wall. You must avoid high-gloss or semi-gloss finishes on the shiplap behind a TV. Light from windows or lamps will hit the ridges of the boards and create distracting hotspots.

My standard specification:

Matte or Flat Enamel: Best for glare reduction but can be hard to clean.

Eggshell or Satin: The compromise. It offers some washability—crucial for removing pet nose prints—without creating a mirror effect.

Lighting Coordination

If you have south-facing windows opposite the TV wall, darker shiplap helps absorb that ambient light. If the room is naturally dark, you can get away with lighter wood tones, provided you have adequate bias lighting (more on that later).

4. Managing the “Visual Clutter” of Electronics

One of the primary architectural advantages of shiplap is the ability to create a service cavity. Unlike drywall, which requires cutting, patching, and sanding to hide wires, shiplap offers a more forgiving installation process for cable management.

When we build these walls, we often fur out the wall (add thin strips of wood behind the shiplap) to create a small gap. This allows us to run HDMI and power cables freely behind the boards without drilling into the studs.

Designing the Console

You need a horizontal surface below the TV to anchor it. This console serves as the home for cable boxes, gaming systems, and decorative items.

Floating Consoles: These look modern and keep the floor visible, which makes a small room look larger. However, be careful with pets. A floating console leaves the underside exposed. If your cat likes to chew hanging wires, a floating console requires rigorous cable management.

Grounded Cabinets: As a pet-friendly designer, I often prefer cabinets that sit on the floor or have very short legs. This prevents toys from rolling underneath and eliminates the “dust bunny” trap that is hard to reach with a vacuum.

Designer’s Note: Ventilation

Electronics generate heat. If you are building a custom cabinet into your shiplap wall, ensure the doors have ventilation slats or mesh inserts. I have seen cable boxes overheat and fail because they were sealed inside a solid wood box.

5. Strategic Lighting for Ambience and Health

Lighting a shiplap wall requires a different approach than lighting a flat wall. The goal is to highlight the texture of the grooves without shining a light directly into the viewer’s eyes.

Wall Grazing

I frequently install recessed directional cans or a track light system about 12 to 18 inches away from the wall ceiling. This technique is called “grazing.” The light washes down the surface of the shiplap, creating micro-shadows in the gaps. This emphasizes the architectural quality of the wood.

Bias Lighting

For the sake of your eyesight, install an LED strip light on the back of your TV. This is known as bias lighting. It casts a soft glow against the shiplap behind the screen. This raises the ambient light level just enough to prevent eye strain without washing out the image on the screen.

What I’d Do in a Real Project

I always specify smart dimmer switches for media walls. When it is movie time, you want the overhead grazing lights at 10% or off, and the bias light at 20%. When you are cleaning or entertaining, you want full brightness. Having separate circuits for the wall wash and the general room lighting is mandatory.

6. Orientation: Vertical vs. Horizontal Installation

While horizontal shiplap is traditional and evokes a sense of calm (mimicking the horizon line), it is not your only option. The orientation of the boards can drastically alter the perception of the room’s size.

Horizontal Application

This is the safest bet for most homes. Horizontal lines draw the eye side-to-side, making a narrow room feel wider. This pairs well with long, low media consoles.

Vertical Application

If your room has low ceilings (8 feet or lower), I strongly suggest running the shiplap vertically. This draws the eye upward and creates an illusion of height. Vertical cladding feels slightly more modern and less “farmhouse.”

Mixed Orientation

For a truly custom look, consider a wainscoting approach. Install vertical shiplap on the bottom third of the wall and smooth drywall or horizontal boards above. However, ensure the transition point does not intersect with the TV screen. The transition rail should sit at least 6 inches below the bottom of the TV.

Finish & Styling Checklist

Once the carpentry and painting are done, the styling brings the design to life. Here is the checklist I use to finish a project:

Hide the “Black Hole”: When the TV is off, it is a giant black rectangle. Balance this visual weight by placing dark objects on the shelves or console (e.g., a dark vase, a bronze sculpture, or black picture frames).

Soft Textures: Shiplap and TVs are both hard surfaces. Introduce softness with a fabric ottoman, a plush wool rug, or linen drapery nearby to dampen acoustics.
Biophilic Touch: Add a tall plant to the side of the media console. The organic shape of leaves breaks up the rigid grid of the shiplap and the square TV. Ensure the plant is non-toxic if you have pets (e.g., a Parlor Palm or Spider Plant).
The “Rule of Three” for Decor: Group items on your console in threes. For example: one tall lamp, a stack of two books, and a small ceramic bowl.

Cable Check: Get down on your hands and knees. Can you see any zip ties or wires? If yes, use paintable cord covers that match the shiplap color perfectly.

FAQs

Q: Can I install shiplap directly over existing drywall?
A: Yes, this is the most common method. You will need to locate the studs behind the drywall to secure the boards. Liquid nails can help, but mechanical fasteners (nails) into studs are non-negotiable for safety, especially if you plan to mount the TV mount through the shiplap.

Q: Will mounting a TV on shiplap damage the wood?
A: You will have to drill holes for the mount, which leaves permanent damage. However, because shiplap is real wood, it is actually easier to patch and fill later than drywall if you move. Just save a small container of your touch-up paint.

Q: How do I handle the edges of the shiplap wall?
A: If the shiplap ends at an outside corner, you must use a corner trim piece or miter the edges for a clean look. Leaving the raw cut edge of the board exposed looks amateur and cheap. If the wall ends in the middle of a room, frame it out with a vertical trim piece.

Q: Is shiplap safe to use around a fireplace TV setup?
A: Generally, yes, but you must check your local building codes regarding “combustible materials.” There is usually a required clearance distance between the firebox opening and any wood material. Non-combustible materials (like tile or stone) are often required immediately surrounding the fireplace opening.

Conclusion

Creating a shiplap TV wall is one of the most effective ways to upgrade a living space. It solves practical problems like cable management and acoustic control while delivering a sophisticated architectural element. By paying attention to scale, choosing the right finish to reduce glare, and considering the needs of every family member (including the four-legged ones), you can create a viewing area that is as comfortable as it is beautiful.

Remember that the best design is one that supports your lifestyle. Don’t just copy a picture; measure your space, check your viewing angles, and select materials that will age gracefully in your specific home environment.