Bringing Your Vision to Life with a Mood Board: The Heart of the Design Process

After I’ve gotten a solid understanding of the client’s wants and needs, the next step in the process is to create a mood board. This is one of my favorite parts of the job, as it’s where I start turning ideas into something visual that my client can see and feel.

A mood board is essentially a visual representation of the design vision for the space. It includes a curated selection of furniture, hardware, linens, color palettes, textures, and other design elements. For example, if the client has mentioned wanting to add a touch of luxury, I might include velvet cushions or sleek metallic hardware in the mood board. If they’re going for a more rustic look, natural wood finishes and earthy tones might be featured. The goal is to show the client how all the elements will work together in the space.

Mood boards are especially helpful for illustrating furniture changes. I’ll incorporate pieces I think will work well in the space, alongside items that are already there but might need a little updating. I'll also include samples of potential paint colors, textiles like curtains or throw pillows, and any hardware or lighting fixtures that could help elevate the room.

I find that mood boards help bridge the gap between the client’s expectations and the final design. It gives them something tangible to interact with, and it helps us align on the direction before moving forward. Once the mood board is approved, we move on to the fun part: getting down to the specifics of where to purchase the new pieces and making the design come to life.

In the next post, I’ll discuss how I provide clients with all the information they need to make their dream space a reality, even as part of a DIY design option!