3. Floor-to-Ceiling Shiplap Surround

If you have a flat wall with a small fireplace, you can add “visual weight” by building a shiplap surround that goes all the way to the ceiling. This draws the eye upward and makes your ceilings feel much higher.

  • Materials Needed:
    • Shiplap boards (or MDF strips)
    • Nail gun and finishing nails
    • Level
    • White trim paint
  • Steps:
    • Locate the studs in your wall.
    • Start at the bottom and level your first board.
    • Nail the boards horizontally, using a nickel as a spacer between rows.
    • Work your way to the ceiling, cutting boards to fit around the mantel.
    • Paint the wood a crisp, clean white or a soft charcoal grey.

Pro Tip: Paint the wall behind the shiplap the same color as the boards so the dark wall doesn’t peek through the gaps.