There is certainly no right or wrong way to create a space you love. However, starting any project, whether it be designing (or organizing) a space, is often the most challenging part because there are literally thousands of choices for finishes, fixtures, and accessories and many ways to get to the end result. For this reason, many interior designers start each new client project with a mood board (also called a mood tray).
As an interior decorator with many years of experience but no formal design training, I don’t typically use a mood board. However, I am a trained professional organizer who embraces simplicity, and my goal is to make the design/décor process as easy as possible for my clients. Instead of creating a mood board, I start by choosing a design element that I love—and that I think my client will also love—and use it as a base to create a design board to inspire the rest of the design.
Olympia Tile+Stone’s “Oxford” silver metallic tiles served as inspiration for a bathroom redesign.What is the Difference Between a Mood Board and a Design Board?
A mood board focuses on the feeling or atmosphere of a space. It’s an inspirational tool that sets the tone through colour palettes, textures, imagery, and materials. The goal of this tool is to convey a direction for the project. For example, “calm coastal retreat” or “modern rustic warmth” rather than specific products. The mood board may incorporate elements such as fabrics, tile, and paint colours, but is often more abstract and would include textural items, plants, pictures of specific elements, etc.
On the other hand, a design board (or presentation board) is detailed and practical. It includes the actual furnishings, finishes, lighting, and décor pieces used in the room. While a mood board helps you explore possibilities, a design board translates that vision into tangible selections ready for implementation.
I highly recommend creating a design board for any space you are redecorating. It will help you make the best choices and narrow down any items you are struggling with. Even if you don’t replace everything in the space at once, please choose all the elements in advance to avoid any costly mistakes. For example, if you plan to paint and wallpaper immediately but choose a new sofa later, include it on your design board to ensure it coordinates with the other elements.
A bathroom design board using the floor tile sample as a background for the other elements.The Advantages of Creating a Mood Board or Mood Tray
Clarify Your Vision: A mood board helps you define the overall look and feel you want to achieve before starting your actual design. Seeing colours, textures, and styles together can give you some direction if you don’t know where to start.
Inspire Your Design Choices: By gathering examples of finishes and textures you love, you can start to see what works together and what doesn’t. It helps you narrow down your choices as you start sourcing items for your space.
A Communication Tool: When working with a designer, contractor, or partner, a mood board effectively communicates your ideas. It becomes a visual reference that ensures everyone is on the same page.
Encourages Creativity: Collecting and experimenting with images and materials can spark new ideas. You might discover unexpected combinations that elevate your design beyond your original plan.
The Disadvantages of Creating a Mood Board or Mood Tray
Time-Consuming: Gathering materials, printing images, or sourcing samples takes effort. If you’re eager to start redecorating a room, this can feel like an extra step that delays progress.
Overplanning: If you have perfectionist tendencies, you may get stuck creating a flawless mood board instead of moving forward with actual decisions. The creative process can stall if you endlessly tweak your concept.
Limits Flexibility: Committing to a specific palette or theme can make you feel boxed in. Limitations such as product availability or budget constraints may require you to make changes that don’t match your original board. You might feel the need to revamp your entire mood tray before starting again, which can be counterproductive.
Your Vision Doesn’t Translate to Reality: Finding patterns and textures that inspire you can be challenging among the thousands of choices available. You may discover that once you start to put actual product samples together, they don’t work the way you thought they would. Or you could spend hours (trust me, I’ve done it) trying to find a product that perfectly matches an inspirational finish or texture.
A design board for a principal bedroom.Why Design Boards Work Better Than Mood Boards
In my humble opinion, after executing dozens of home design projects for clients, I much prefer to jump straight into a design board. Mood boards tend to be aspirational, whereas design boards are practical. For example, the design boards above incorporate actual elements chosen for the space that work well together, are available for purchase, and are within my clients’ budgets. By using design boards, I save time, and my clients save money.
I know how overwhelming it can be to redesign a room, so if you’re feeling unsure about where to begin or how to bring your ideas together, I can help. Whether you need guidance creating a design board or support to design and decorate a space that reflects your personality, I’d be delighted to work with you to make your vision a reality. Contact me today and book a free discovery call to discuss your project.