Overview
#Shiplap refers to horizontal wooden boards with grooves that create subtle lines when installed as wall covering. Joanna Gaines of HGTV’s Fixer Upper (2013-2018) transformed shiplap from obscure carpentry term to nationwide design obsession.
Fixer Upper Effect
Joanna Gaines featured shiplap in nearly every Fixer Upper episode, turning it into her signature design element. Her catchphrase became “Let’s do shiplap!” The hashtag exploded alongside the show’s popularity.
Design Context
Shiplap became the visual cornerstone of “Modern Farmhouse” style - the dominant American design aesthetic 2014-2020. It represented rustic authenticity, coastal casual, and Joanna Gaines’ Waco, Texas, aesthetic.
DIY Boom
The hashtag drove massive DIY shiplap projects using:
- Real tongue-and-groove pine boards
- Cheaper plywood with nickel spacers (faux shiplap)
- Peel-and-stick shiplap wallpaper (2017+)
Home Depot and Lowe’s created dedicated shiplap sections due to demand.
Backlash
By 2019-2020, designers declared shiplap “over,” predicting dated renovation regrets. The hashtag became a punchline for trendy-but-temporary design choices.
Cultural Impact
Shiplap transcended home improvement, becoming a cultural signifier of middle-American taste, Pinterest culture, and HGTV influence on consumer choices.
Post-Trend Reality
Despite backlash, shiplap installations remain popular in 2023, suggesting it may have staying power as a neutral design choice rather than trend piece.
Sources:
- HGTV Fixer Upper (2013-2018)
- Magnolia Network launch (2021)
- Houzz trend reports 2013-2023