How to Sharpie Shiplap

How We Transformed Our Walls with “Sharpie Shiplap” (And You Won’t Believe How Easy It Was!)

If you’ve been scrolling through Pinterest or Instagram lately, you’ve probably seen those stunning shiplap walls in farmhouse-style homes. The textured, rustic wood look is gorgeous, but the cost and labor involved in installing actual shiplap can be overwhelming. That’s when my husband and I stumbled upon the game-changing idea of “Sharpie Shiplap”—and trust me, it’s as amazing as it sounds!

Instead of spending time and money on real wood, we used just a Sharpie marker and some basic paint supplies to create a DIY shiplap effect that looks so realistic, it’ll fool anyone. I can’t wait to share how we did it and how the finished look turned out!

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Sharpie Shiplap

Let’s be honest: real shiplap is beautiful, but it comes with a hefty price tag and a lot of work. If you love the shiplap look but want to avoid the cost and hassle of buying wood, installing it, and cleaning up the mess, there’s a simple solution. Using a Sharpie marker to create the same effect might sound too good to be true, but it actually works— and the results are fantastic!

Not only will this save you money, but the process is surprisingly easy and even fun! Here’s how you can do it. Check out these images of how the lines came together.

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What You’ll Need:

• Sharpie Markers (We used a fine-tip black Sharpie for the lines and a thicker one for the bold shiplap look)
• Ruler or Level (To make sure your lines are straight)
• Pencil (To lightly mark where your lines will go)
• Painter’s Tape (For clean edges)
• White Paint (If you need to paint over the walls first to create a clean canvas)
• Paint Roller (For the base coat)

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Step 1: Prepare the Walls

The first thing you’ll want to do is make sure your walls are clean and smooth. If your walls are already painted, you’re good to go! However, if you’re working with a darker color or uneven walls, it’s a good idea to paint them white (or another light color) to help the Sharpie lines really pop.

Step 2: Mark the Placement of the Lines
Using a pencil and a level, lightly mark where you want your shiplap lines to go. Typically, shiplap planks are spaced about 6-8 inches apart, but feel free to adjust this to suit the look you want. For a classic look, you can stick with wide planks.

Step 3: Tape Off the Edges
To keep your lines clean and crisp, use painter’s tape along the top and bottom of the walls where your shiplap lines will start and end. This will give you that neat, “planked” look.

Step 4: Draw the Lines
Now, for the magic! Using your Sharpie markers, carefully trace along the lines you’ve marked. Use a fine-tip Sharpie for thinner lines and a thicker one for bolder, more pronounced lines. The key is to keep the lines straight and even, so be sure to use your level and ruler for accuracy.

Step 5: Add the Shiplap Details
For a more authentic shiplap feel, draw a few dashed lines in between the main horizontal lines to mimic the seams in real wood. This subtle detail will enhance the look and make it feel even more like actual shiplap.

Step 6: Touch-Up and Final Adjustments
Once the lines are done, step back and take a look at the whole wall. If needed, make minor touch-ups to any lines that didn’t come out perfectly. This step won’t take long but will make a big difference in the final result. If there are any uneven or smudged lines, grab some paint and a paintbrush to tidy them up. It may take a little time, but it’s totally worth it!

Step 7: Admire Your Work
Once everything is done, step back and admire your work! The Sharpie Shiplap effect will give your space a beautiful, farmhouse-style vibe and completely transform the room. The finished look is incredible— it’s hard to tell it’s not real wood, even up close!

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Why It’s So Great

• Budget-Friendly: We spent only a fraction of the cost compared to installing real shiplap.
• Quick and Easy: The process took just a couple of days, and we didn’t need to bring in any heavy tools.
• Foolproof: With a steady hand, anyone can do it – it’s that simple! No woodworking skills required.
• Customizable: You can adjust the spacing of the lines and even add more details like distressed marks or color variations.

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The Final Verdict

If you’re looking for a quick, affordable way to get that gorgeous shiplap look without the hassle of actual wood, Sharpie Shiplap is the way to go! It’s a simple hack that looks incredible, and honestly, it’s hard to tell the difference from real wood unless you’re standing right up close.

You’ll be thrilled with how it turns out—it’ll become one of the focal points of your home! This fun and creative DIY project is perfect for anyone looking to add charm and character to their space.

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Ready to Try It Yourself?

If you’re itching to try this DIY project in your own home, grab a Sharpie and a ruler, and get started! You won’t believe how easy and affordable it is to create the shiplap look of your dreams.

Let me know how your Sharpie Shiplap project turns out – I’d love to see your amazing transformations! Happy DIY-ing!