How to create mood boards

You’ve likely heard of a good board - many of us made them when we were younger, and many of today’s younger generation make them on websites like Pinterest. Why are they so popular? Well, they’re often the beginning of a new concept or idea, and they are very accessible.

To create a mood board as a professional designer, you’ll likely have received a brief from the client in which their wishes, ideas, and preferences have been laid out. This means it's time to create a design concept.

We’ll dive into design concepts, mood boards, concept boards, and some tips for physical boards in this article.

How to create mood boards

To create a mood board, you’ll likely work through a couple of key stages:

1. Work on the design concept
2. Bring the mood (concept) board to life
3. Finalize the mood board and present

What is a mood board?

A concept or mood board is a visual tool designers use to capture both the look and the feel of a project, usually very early in the design process. This means mood boards do not show specific samples of materials or furniture, as these will not have been chosen this early in the design process. Instead, it merely expresses the mood or the idea of the proposed design.

In other words, it is an abstract depiction of mood, feeling, textures, and style which the resulting interior design scheme should reflect. This method not only gives assurance to the client that the design is built upon a mutually agreed concept, but it also ensures that the designer can confidently research and design a scheme they know the concept has been agreed to by the client.

Stage 1: Design Concept

A design concept begins with the client’s brief and transforms their goals, preferences, and inspirations into a clear creative direction. It takes abstract ideas such as wanting a space to feel modern, calm, or playful and translates them into a style, theme, or atmosphere. Once defined, the concept acts as an anchor that keeps the design cohesive and consistent throughout every stage of the project.

This can be built around a certain theme, for example, a client might be particularly fond of the Georgian era and would like to have these design elements replicated within the new design, or they are drawn to ethnic prints and patterns and would like these to be a main feature of the design.

Stage 2: Concept Board

To make this design concept more tangible, designers often create a concept board. This is an early visual representation of the concept, showing the general mood, style, and inspiration without going into specific details. It helps the client and designer agree on the direction before moving forward.

From there, the mood board takes shape. A mood board builds on the concept by combining images, colors, textures, and typography into a cohesive visual collage. Its purpose is to express the atmosphere and feeling of the design in a way that both client and designer can reference throughout the project.

Due to the creative nature of interior design, you may see subtle differences in exactly how designers present these boards. However, the purpose of each of these documents is to convey an initial concept rather than a final design idea.

Stage 3: Final Mood Board

When you reach the stage of creating the final mood board, the goal is to present a polished and professional visual that clearly communicates the agreed design direction. At this point, the board should feel cohesive and intentional, giving the client confidence in the concept while still leaving room for flexibility in the details. To achieve this, there are a few simple guidelines that will help you keep your board clear, consistent, and visually effective:

• Avoid any blurred imagery.
• Make use of appropriately sized imagery and/or text.
• You should consider the placement of text and imagery to ensure a balanced and professional board.
• Select imagery which enhances your board and assists in visually representing your design idea in a cohesive manner. For example, if your design idea is based around a minimalist style, it would confuse your client if you were to include imagery that contradicts this style preference such as heavy, ornate furniture.
• Avoid imagery that is too specific at this stage as these are only initial ideas capturing a mood/atmosphere/idea. If your board is filled with very specific products, your client may assume these are the exact items to be used. This could cause misunderstandings with your client as they might believe you have done detailed research for these elements (e.g. cost, availability or material properties).

Tips for physical mood boards

If you are preparing a physical mood board rather than a digital one, presentation becomes even more important. A well-crafted board not only shows your design direction but also demonstrates care and professionalism in how the concept is shared. Keeping the layout neat and the materials well-finished will make a strong impression. Here are a few practical tips to keep in mind:

• Make sure to use a scalpel and cutting mat for cutouts.
• Consider double mounting your images and cut-outs for further definition and an effective presentation.
• Make use of neat uniform lettering.
• Use the correct color board that enhances your presentation and be creative!

Become an Interior Designer at the Institute of Creative Design

Creating a mood board is about turning abstract ideas into a clear visual story that captures the style and atmosphere of a design. By moving from an initial concept to a concept board and finally a polished mood board, designers can align with clients early, communicate ideas with clarity, and set a strong foundation for the rest of the project. Whether digital or physical, a well-crafted mood board ensures the design process begins with confidence and direction.

If you’re interested in becoming an interior designer, go ahead and check out our courses.

FAQs

What is the best tool to create a mood board?

The best tool depends on your style and how you want to present your ideas. For quick digital boards, Canva, Pinterest, or Milanote are simple and beginner-friendly. If you need more control, Photoshop, Illustrator, or Figma give you flexibility and precision. For a hands-on approach, a physical board with printed images and textures can work just as well.

What 5 elements must you include on a mood board?

The first element is a color palette, which sets the overall tone and atmosphere. Typography samples come next, showing possible font styles and how they might feel in the design. Imagery or photography is also important, as it reflects the mood and provides visual inspiration. Textures and patterns add depth and suggest style choices, while iconography or simple graphic elements help tie the theme together. Combined, these elements create a clear visual direction that makes it easy for clients to understand the design vision.

How to create a mood board for beginners?

Beginners can start by collecting images, colors, textures, and fonts that match your design idea. Use a simple tool like Canva or Milanote, or create a physical board with printed cutouts. Keep the layout clean and balanced, focusing on visuals that capture the mood rather than specific products.