How to Create a Mood Board for your Next Interior Design Project

Mood boards aren’t just for the top interior designers. In fact, they can benefit nearly everyone who is undertaking a new project or looking to upgrade their space. Thanks to today’s online tools, getting started is easier than ever. If you’re looking for how to get more out of your creative brainstorming, follow our tips to get started on your mood board today.  

What Is a Mood Board and Why Do You Need One?

Mood boards are often used to organize design concepts and showcase colors, moods, furniture, and other room elements that will go into your home or business. By providing sampling images of all of these factors, it’s easier to differentiate which products and layouts you’d actually love, before spending your money and being less than thrilled with what you’ve picked. 

By visually arranging your ideas in one concrete space, you’ll be able to save yourself time and effort. Mood boards help decrease impulsive buys and unforeseen clashes between items. Having everything in front of you allows you to have a complete concept of your plan, visualize and problem-solve, harmonize your items, and create a bigger impact in your space by honing in on details. 

How to Create a Mood Board That Reflects Your Style

You don’t have to rely on magazine cutouts and sticky glue anymore. Luckily, today’s software and free online tools make crafting your mood board a breeze. 

The easiest and cheapest route is to begin by opening a new document on your desktop or a blank space on Canva. Make sure the layout fits all of your design elements in a clean and organized manner. For more complex arrangements, you may want to use the landscape format or a horizontal page. 

Next, choose the images that inspire you the most and paste them onto your page. These can be easily found on Pinterest, Google, or other creators’ mood boards. Add images of furniture, color swatches, room layouts, moods you want to evoke, textures, appliances, and small trinkets you want to include. 

How to Use Your Mood Board

Once all of your items are in order, take a short break from your creation. Once you’ve refreshed your mind by taking a walk or eating a meal, come back to your design and see how you feel. Are you inspired and energized? If not, make changes until the cohesion suits your needs. 

Use your mood board as an evolving tool. As you get inspired, you may find new images or inspiration that makes you want to make tweaks to your project. Add, delete, and rearrange as you begin implementing your plans. 

Mood Board Inspiration

Not sure where to get started? Check out other mood boards online to get a feel for what you could include on yours. Search by rooms, like dining rooms, kitchens, bedrooms, or offices, or start a search based on style. 

Common mood board styles include modern classic, minimalist, Scandinavian, traditional, or vintage. Some creators even link the exact products and colors used, so you can take notes on exactly where to buy the pieces you love most.