Is shiplap outdated?
Wall-to-wall shiplap in every room now reads as a specific moment, roughly the mid-2010s farmhouse era. Used in one spot, painted to match the walls, it can still look good. Traditional trim like wainscoting and board-and-batten tends to age better.
Wall treatments are one of the fastest ways to add character and one of the fastest ways to date a house. Before you add one or before you list a home that has several, here's how they're holding up.
How each one is aging
Treatment | How it's aging | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Wainscoting (raised or flat panel) | Well | Works in dining rooms, entries and stairways. Reads as traditional, not trendy. |
Board-and-batten | Mostly well | Clean and simple. Best in mudrooms, entries and bedrooms. |
Picture-frame molding | Well | Adds detail without a strong style. Paint it the wall color. |
Shiplap, one wall or one room | It depends | Fine as a feature, especially painted to match the walls. |
Shiplap, everywhere | Dating | Ties a home to the farmhouse trend. |
Bold painted accent wall | Short-lived | Easy to change. Repaint before you list. |
Wallpaper accent wall | Mixed | Small, well-chosen patterns in powder rooms can work. Large bold prints narrow buyer appeal. |
Faux brick or stone panels | Dating | Often read as a shortcut. |
Before you add one
- Match the house. Wainscoting suits a traditional two-story. It can look out of place in a modern build.
- Pick one or two spots. An entry and a dining room are plenty for most homes.
- Paint it to blend. Trim painted the same color as the wall, or one shade off, ages better than high contrast.
Before you list
- Bold accent walls: repaint. It's one of the cheapest pre-listing fixes.
- Heavy shiplap: painting it the wall color often softens it enough. Removing it can mean drywall repair, so get a quote first.
- Peel-and-stick wallpaper: take it down if it's a strong pattern.
- Good wainscoting: keep it, clean it and touch up the paint.
Jeanie's take on accent walls
An accent wall can really showcase a space but it takes more than painting one wall a different color. Bring in some depth with molding or shiplap so the wall looks intentional, not like a paint sample.
FAQ
Does shiplap hurt resale? Rarely on its own. Too much of any trend can make a home feel dated in photos.
Is board-and-batten a trend? It's been around for a long time. Simple versions in the right rooms tend to hold up.
Should I remove an accent wall before selling? If it's a bold color, repaint it. It's quick and inexpensive.
Final takeaway
Traditional trim ages slowly. Trends age fast. Use one or two treatments that fit the house, and repaint anything bold before you list.
Getting ready to sell?
Jeanie will walk your home and tell you what to keep, paint or remove before photos. Call (972) 414-0719 or visit the sellers guide.
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