How do I go about doing a ship lap wall??

From what I have seen of ship lap, they use the same size boards...but this does not mean you have to.

You don't leave spaces as the slight cracks that normally show between the boards is enough separation!

Here is a link showing ship lap walls...even a wallpaper of ship lap (I love that idea...less trouble to put up and less repair to take down) !

https://www.google.com/search?q=photo+of+shiplap+walls&rlz=1C1GGRV_enUS751US751&source=univ&tbm=shop&tbo=u&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj2qbS5h-XcAhWSvFMKHUdsBdsQsxgIKw&biw=1138&bih=760&dpr=1.13

I saw a post where a woman actually painted the wall white and drew straight lines on it to simulate ship lap!

I'd stick with just one size; 1/8" is the usual gap -- a 'nickles worth' is an easy way to do it -- you can find washers that are that depth - string a cord thru the hole so you can hang it from your belt loop, or tool bag -- and it's always handy.

Hi Dixie, personally I like the 1x6 tongue and groove. It spaces itself out. But if you want a more rustic look, I'd use different coloured and texture wood but the same demensions. Paint the wall underneath the wood first and having a bit if wall showing won't matter. Hope this helps a bit

I couldn’t afford tongue and groove shiplap. I figured it’d be a fad anyway so I looked for an alternative. Nobody believes me till they actually look it over and hard to tell even then but I used Luann wood. Spaced them a nickle apart and painted them over in a fad born “distressed” white. Once they see this a light comes on in their head and now they’re using it too! If I were doing a major project or new house I’d buy the real thing but for a fireplace feature wall that seems to change with the seasons it looks awesome!!