![A powder room with a black shiplap wall. A powder room with a black shiplap wall.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/create-a-modern-powder-room-using-black-shiplap-hero.jpg)
![Nicole White contributorImage](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/nicole-white-headshot.jpg)
A Note From The Home Depot
Nicole White of Live Laugh Decorate previously finished her powder room, but felt that something was missing. See how she used black shiplap in an unconventional way for a dramatic and gorgeous effect.
![A powder room with black shiplap and a modern tile floor. A powder room with black shiplap and a modern tile floor.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/create-a-modern-powder-room-using-black-shiplap-image-1.jpg)
My powder room has long been in the market for some much needed love and affection.
It’s one of the few spaces in my home that I’d made functional, but hadn’t had the time to really make the “wow” space I wanted it to be.
So, my heart skipped a beat when The Home Depot asked me to participate in their appearance board campaign, aka shiplap.
I thought hmmmm, my powder room walls would be perfect for this and alas, this would force me to transform the space into what I’d always envisioned.
Black Shiplap Moodboard
![A moodboard for a powder room. A moodboard for a powder room.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/create-a-modern-powder-room-using-black-shiplap-image-2.jpg)
I’ve been channeling a lot of black this year – my master bedroom is also black. I really wanted to go bold and paint the shiplap all black. Brave, because this is a windowless space, but I always think a powder room is a space that can handle major drama so figured why not?
Step 1: Remove Molding and Original Paneling
![A room with white shiplap installed on the top half of the wall. A room with white shiplap installed on the top half of the wall.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/create-a-modern-powder-room-using-black-shiplap-image-3.jpg)
The first step when installing floor to ceiling shiplap, especially in a tight space, is to remove as much as possible. We removed the wall molding I’d installed years ago, baseboards, toilet and the pedestal sink – a temporary fix I’d installed because of major drama with the original vanity I’d ordered. More on that to come later.
Step 2: Install From the Top Down
![A woman installing shiplap on a wall. A woman installing shiplap on a wall.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/create-a-modern-powder-room-using-black-shiplap-image-4.jpg)
Step 3: Miter Edges for a Finished Look
![A man attaching shiplap in the corner of a room. A man attaching shiplap in the corner of a room.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/create-a-modern-powder-room-using-black-shiplap-image-5.jpg)
For the corners, we mitered the edges to meet each corner, a tedious task which meant the installation took two days.
![A man installing shiplap on a wall from top to bottom. A man installing shiplap on a wall from top to bottom.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/create-a-modern-powder-room-using-black-shiplap-image-6.jpg)
Once installed, we filled in gaps with caulk, then sanded and painted. I chose Behr’s “Limousine Leather” (eggshell finish) – paint and primer in one for the shiplap, a great way to avoid the extra step of priming first. I considered painting the door and trim in black as well, but decided to leave them white. Since the room is windowless, I didn’t want it to feel like a cave. The white molding was also a great foil for the vanity countertop.
Tip: Black is a very unforgiving paint color, so painting with precision is key. It’s imperative to cut in between each groove as you paint to avoid seeing the white from the original wood. This may mean allowing the paint to dry then checking each crevice a day or two later to touch up missed areas.
Once the paint was dry, it was time to reinstall the finishing touches. We discovered a problem: my old toilet couldn’t fit. The thickness of the shiplap added almost ½-inch thickness to the wall, not enough room for a toilet that had a rough in of 12 in. We needed to install a toilet with a 10-in. rough, which worked out well since I purchased a less bulky one that what we had previously.
Tip: Check the rough-in on your existing toilet so you can be prepared to replace if needed.
Finishing Touches
![A modern vanity with chrome accents, a white top, and a white vessel sink. A modern vanity with chrome accents, a white top, and a white vessel sink.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/create-a-modern-powder-room-using-black-shiplap-image-7.jpg)
I was also finally able to install the vanity I’d purchased years ago, but had sitting in my garage. When I ordered it online, I assumed it came with the countertop and sink since it was on the pricier side, but alas it was base only.
Back to that pesky vanity. We fabricated a quartz countertop and I decided on a simple vessel sink. By decided I mean, I decided after hours of scouring the internet for vessel sinks! After considering many shapes and styles, I decided to keep it simple since the walls would be so dramatic.
![A white vessel sink stands out in front of a wall of black shiplap. A white vessel sink stands out in front of a wall of black shiplap.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/create-a-modern-powder-room-using-black-shiplap-image-8.jpg)
A vintage inspired faucet was the perfect bit of charm for the modern elements of the space. I chose a round wooden mirror to contrast the straight edges of the walls and vanity. This also added some warmth and texture against all the black, white and chrome.
The beauty of the black shiplap: we needed minimal artwork to style since the walls are kind of the art/focal point. I simply styled with some greenery from my own back yard, practical items like extra hand towels and soap in a wooden dispenser.
Black Shiplap Powder Room Reveal
![The completed modern powder room with white and black tile and black shiplap walls. The completed modern powder room with white and black tile and black shiplap walls.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/create-a-modern-powder-room-using-black-shiplap-image-9.jpg)
And there you have it! Finally, a powder room I can be proud to give my stamp of approval.
Follow our Bathroom Design Ideas board on Pinterest for more inspiring decor ideas.
To create your own black shiplap powder room, shop shiplap and other appearance boards at The Home Depot.