Updated Bathroom Using Shiplap

When we moved into our condo I knew the downstairs bathroom had to be remodeled. While the bones were good, meaning sink, toilet and tub; the floors, walls and trim needed an update. I surprised myself by making it the last room I remodeled, since I thought it would be the first to go! Most of you that follow me on Pinterest or Instagram have seen and read about the DIY Brick Floors I installed over the existing tile in this bathroom. But I wanted to show you the complete makeover from the beginning. My plan all along was a bathroom remodel using Shiplap.

Planning Bathroom Remodel Using Shiplap

Shiplap is very popular and I actually knew about it before I ever saw an episode of HGTV Fixer Upper. Back in 1998 we remodeled a 116 year old home in Mississippi. When we pulled layers and layers of wallpaper (which was more like cheesecloth) off the walls we found real shiplap. I loved the look then and left the walls exposed.

Today you can find shiplap at any hardware store or you can make your own using plywood and spacers. I have used both and I prefer the look of a product called Shadow Gap from Lowe’s. It is more expensive than the plywood method but for me the look is worth it. It is also very easy to work with and install. I have used both in my bathroom remodels using shiplap. You can see the difference between the two in the picture below.

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Before I started the walls with the shiplap, I needed to update the trim around the doors. The condos were built in the early 70’s and the trim was not only dated but old. Because I like for my entire home to flow with a similar style I chose a craftsman style trim and I love that look with the shiplap.

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Shiplap

This bathroom has two doorways. One leads into the hall and another leads into a small bunk room. Once the trim was completed around the doors and the baseboards in place, it was time to start the shiplap. I decided because the bathroom is so small not to stagger the shiplap. In my opinion staggering the shiplap would have made the bathroom look busy. My whole purpose was to achieve a bright and light look especially since there are no windows in this bathroom.

One of my favorite purchases since I have become a DIY girl is my table saw. I plug it in outside and go to work. You can purchase shadow gap in different lengths and if you do proper measurements you can determine exactly how much you need. I always purchase extra to allow for cutting errors and mistakes. I measured my longest wall and purchased the best length that would allow for one solid piece from end to end.

The shadow gap is pine wood but comes already primed in white. This makes it nice and eliminates sanding and painting before you install. However, I do paint the shiplap and trim once it is all installed.

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Bathroom Remodel Details

There were a few things I had to learn for this remodel. One was how to empty the toilet tank and remove it so that I could install the shiplap and paint behind it. The other was how to remove the lights and switches so that they would sit flush on the shiplap. I basically researched online how to do these things and went for it! Installing outlet extensions I learned from when I installed my DIY Brick Backsplash.

As a DIY girl, I believe it is all in the details of the finish that makes a project look professional and not like I did it myself. Once I finished installing the shiplap, I caulked any gaps and covered all my nail holes. Then it was time to paint! Once I finished painting I checked and rechecked for any spots I might have missed and any paint that might have splattered.

I have to say it is very rewarding to finish a project like this and then to love the outcome is icing on the cake. One of the most important lessons I have learned in being a DIY girl is to stop when I get tired. If I don’t stop I start making mistakes and trying to take shortcuts and that is when my work starts to look like I did it myself.