Should I paint the wall behind a new shiplap wall?

I've seen both done. I'd just roll an appropriate color (maybe dark gray?) onto the whole wall, it would go faster than trying to paint in strips.

Well if you leave a gap, it will show. So I would go with black or dark grey to ,make it stand out.

I would just paint the whole wall, it's easier that trying to figure out where your strips are going to be : )

You ddon't have to do a great job as it will be covered. You will like it so much more! A dark color, try the trash colors at the paint dept, you can get a gal for almost nothing. Just has to be dark.

I used nickels too and did not paint the wall under the shiplap and unless you put your nose up to the boards, you can't see the color underneath. It was just one less step that I had to do.

I agree with the advice above to paint the entire wall a color that is similar to the shiplap color but slightly darker. But, you could just tack a few of the boards up and see if you like the look that leaving the wall gold gives you. You might be pleasantly surprised! Enjoy your project.

I was wondering the same thing, as I am going to shiplap a wall that is already painted a pale gray (Benjamin Moore Horizon), but I want to paint the shiplap a shade darker (on the same color strip). Is it ok to leave the lighter color under the boards or should I make it darker? I'm thinking it would be ok just because of shadows from general lighting in the room. Any suggestions?