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Shiplap Ceiling | $100 diy projects
Updated: Mar 26, 2025
Welcome to another installment of $100 DIY Projects! After polling everyone on Instagram about which project to tackle next, it became very clear that you all are looking for ways to update bedrooms and bathrooms. So the second installment in this series is a great way to address problem ceilings in small spaces.
Do you have old, wrinkled drywall, popcorn ceilings or a tray ceiling that could use some love? In our bedroom we had a traditional trimmed, tray ceiling that had been bugging me for years. There was nothing wrong with it, it just wasn't our style and after creating our $100 headboard it felt even more stylistically jarring. I knew it was going to need some addressing but I'd imagined I would need to take the trim down, then fix the drywall and have to paint it. My arms are hurting just thinking about it! So instead, I figured out a way to panel over top of the trim work and skip all of the hard stuff.
This would be so pretty in a bathroom with a problem ceiling, so I think it hits both of the big requests from my poll. For reference: Our tray ceiling is 105 square feet. Here is our master bedroom before - unmade bed and all...
And here's the cost breakdown for this project:
1. 4 sheets of 1/4" plywood at $15 each came to $60.
2. 2 sample sizes of SW paint at $6 each came to $12 (see my IG "Paint Tips" highlighted stories for this money saving hack!)
3. I used 1x2 wood 'rails' to float the plywood boards above the existing trim. This would work for a popcorn ceiling too. Six pieces were enough. At less than .80 a piece this came to about $5
4. I used 2" screws to fasten the rails to the ceiling joists. About $5 for a small box of these.
5. I had nails on hand but I will include a price for them here in case you don't own a brad or finish nailer, or if you need to purchase them - $10
6. I also reuse my paint rollers and trays. It may not seem worth the effort at first but over time this saves a ton of money and helps me to stay in budget for these $100 projects. If you need to purchase paint supplies, I'll include $10 for a tray and some foam roller covers, assuming you have a roller. (I use the cabinet style foam covers because it gives a smoother finish on the shiplap and it makes the paint go farther.)
TIP: Paint the boards BEFORE you hang them.
7. Trim for the edges is optional. For our ceiling I needed something very specific to blend into the existing trim (a small pvc corner style trim that was $18 total. They sell 1" flat pieces in the same price range.)
8. Caulk - $3
TOTAL: $123
**Because I reuse paint supplies and had nails on hand, left over from previous projects, my total was $103.**
Even if you have a little more square footage or need to purchase some extra items, this is very budget friendly and makes a huge impact in the room! Here's the video tutorial:
And here's the AFTER:
Until next time!
xoxo
While taking a break between coats of paint, I got hooked on The False Sun, a horror visual novel. I used a beginner-friendly The False Sun guide to unlock all 20 endings. Thanks for sharing!
What a great budget-friendly project! I keep poople-unlimited.com open in a tab since there's no daily cap and nothing to download. Thanks for the step-by-step photos; the trim detail really makes it look custom.
Love this! I did a similar plank treatment on our bedroom ceiling last spring, and the under-$100 budget breakdown is what finally sold my husband on the idea. Painting the grooves before installing saved me so much time, so that tip is spot on. One word of advice: take real breaks between coats, because ceiling work absolutely wrecks your neck. I stayed sane during drying time by dropping into random street views on Play World Guesser — silly, but weirdly relaxing. Bookmarking this for the guest room next!
Wow, $100 for a panelled ceiling is seriously impressive — the beadboard spacing looks perfectly even, and I love that you kept the original trim. I've been eyeing a similar project for our guest room, though my measuring skills are questionable at best. Quick question: did you use adhesive plus nails, or nails only? After sanding and caulking all weekend, I definitely needed a mental break, and I ended up hooked on a free low-poly browser racing game between coats of paint. Thanks for sharing the budget breakdown!
I enjoyed this post about the shiplap ceiling project and how a relatively simple change can give a room a completely different feel. The DIY approach is especially useful because it shows that home improvements do not always have to involve major renovations or complicated ideas. I also like seeing the practical side of the project, since details such as preparation and installation can make a big difference in the final result. New assignment help uk can be useful for students balancing practical projects with their studies, while a computer science assignment helper can help when coursework deadlines start competing for time.