Los Angeles homeowners have always had an eye for design. From mid-century modern bungalows in Silver Lake to craftsman-style homes in Highland Park, interior aesthetics matter here. And right now, two wall treatments are showing up in renovation after renovation across the city: shiplap and wainscoting. If you’ve been considering a refresh that goes beyond a new coat of paint, these options are worth a closer look.
A Design Trend With Staying Power
What started as a farmhouse and cottage-style trend has evolved into something far more versatile. Today, shiplap and wainscoting are being used in contemporary homes, traditional spaces, and everything in between. Both treatments add texture and character to walls in a way that paint simply can’t replicate, and they hold up beautifully over time.
What Makes Shiplap So Popular?
Shiplap is characterized by long, horizontal planks that fit together with a slight overlap, creating clean lines and a subtle shadow gap between each board. The result is a wall that has texture, depth, and visual interest without feeling busy or overdone.
In Los Angeles homes, shiplap works particularly well in living rooms, bedrooms, and even bathrooms. It adds warmth to spaces that might otherwise feel flat and gives rooms a distinct personality. Whether you’re going for a relaxed coastal look or something more polished and modern, shiplap adapts to the vision.
At Clark’s Moulding & Doors, we carry T&G (tongue and groove) shiplap that’s ready to go for your next project. Our knowledgeable team can help you choose the right profile and material for your space, whether you’re covering an accent wall or an entire room.
The Timeless Appeal of Wainscoting
While shiplap leans casual, wainscoting brings a more formal, structured elegance to a room. T&G wainscot features interlocking panels that run along the lower portion of a wall, typically paired with a chair rail at the top to provide a clean transition.
The effect is sophisticated without being stuffy. Wainscoting can make a dining room feel more refined, a hallway feel more intentional, and a home office feel more polished. In older Los Angeles homes with architectural character, wainscoting can restore a sense of craftsmanship that’s often lost during decades of updates and remodels.
Panel moulding is another option worth exploring. Often used alongside chair rail, it creates framed rectangular or square panels along the wall for a dimensional, layered look that adds real visual richness to any room.
Mixing Treatments for a Custom Look
One of the most exciting design moves Los Angeles homeowners are making right now is combining wall treatments. Shiplap on an upper portion of the wall paired with wainscoting below, or panel moulding used to break up a large flat surface — these combinations create interiors that feel custom and considered.
The key is working with quality materials and having the right trim to finish everything off cleanly. That’s where Clark’s Moulding & Doors comes in. We stock a full selection of moulding, including chair rail, panel moulding, baseboards, and casing, so you can bring your entire design together from a single source.
Ready to Transform Your Walls?
Whether you’re drawn to the relaxed character of shiplap or the refined look of wainscoting, Clark’s Moulding & Doors has the products and the expertise to help you get it right. We’ve been serving Los Angeles homeowners since 1971, and our team is ready to help you find exactly what your space needs.
Stop by or give us a call at (626) 575-8343 to get started. A handshake and a smile have always been how we do business — and that hasn’t changed in over 50 years.