The "shiplap" ship has sailed and sunk why that at all it will do nothing to brighten up the space. Get better lighting all LED 4000K . Show us the whole room and what do you need the storage for? I find open shelving usually looks messy in a office and in a guest room really just adust collector but I need to see the whole spac e. Is that hot water heating or electric?

Ship lap belongs on a wooden boat or the exterior of a building. You can panel the wall, but don't refer to it as ship lap unless each board has a rabbet.

If you have a walk-out basement, is there another area for your office? Or is a basement bedroom a necessity?

Building out that wall with bookshelves will be a great way to conceal that awkward bump. I would probably put false doors at the bottom to integrate the bottom section.

Thank you all. I’m sure some are tired of shiplap/paneling, but we are a beach house right on the water and I think it will always be appropriate in that setting. It will give the room more character and I think the white will be brighter. Love the suggestion to do false doors below to make it look more cohesive. Thank you again!!!! 🙏🙏🙏