How to Make a Shiplap Wall in Your Classroom

     Every good farmhouse classroom needs some shiplap, right? That's what I was thinking as I began planning my classroom decor last summer. The only problem was that I wasn't sure how to make it happen. As I was scouring the internet for a solution (and secretly wondering whether or not my principal would notice if I nailed wooden boards to my wall) I came across this post about faux shiplap. At first it seemed to easy to be true. But the more I read, the more I was convinced this was my solution! The next day I headed to the hardware store for some supplies.

     First, I painted the wall white using Benjamin Moore's White Dove. Then the hard part began. Using a ruler and a pencil, I measured the lines out as straight as I could get them. This was easily the toughest part. Once the lines were drawn, I put painter's tape on the top and bottom of each line. I left about a nickel's width between the two pieces of tape.

     Then, using the same white paint as the wall color, I painted over each line. This is very important to ensure that the line color doesn't bleed and look really splotchy once you take the tape off. Once it was dry, it was time for the line color. I used a simple $0.50 acrylic craft paint in a medium gray color and painted over each line space.

Viola!

     I am in love with how it turned out! Now I will be honest... it took three long, hard days to paint the wall that is pictured and about the same amount of wall space on the other side of the window. Despite the time I would absolutely do it all over again! Do you have shiplap in your classroom? Tell me all about it below!