THE ART OF THE MOOD BOARD – INTERIOR DESIGNER GUIDE

Create a visually stunning combination of colours finishes and ideas

Interested in design?
If the answer is yes, chances are that you know what a mood board is or have seen one before.

But do you know what  the true purpose of a mood board is, and how to create a presentable, harmonious combination of materials and finishes? Read on for our interior designer guide on how to create the perfect inspiration mood board.

Mood boards are much more than just pretty compilations of materials and finishes. They form a crucial part of concept creation and can really help you to visualise the end result. Spending a little bit of extra time on a simple mood board exercise will:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

∙ confirm that all chosen finishes go well together, and that colours and textures complement each other without clashing⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

∙ give you the confidence to experiment and combine unexpected finishes, allowing for more interesting and unique design solutions⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

∙ rather than creating extra work, a mood board may actually save you time during the design process as it helps envision the final look, sparing you getting stuck on making a design decision halfway through the process⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

∙ will strengthen the relationships with your clients as it shows that you recognise their opinion, listen to what their needs are and want to exceed their expectations. Mood boards h help to effectively communicate the direction we intend to take the project, and a visual aid can be really useful⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Here at Temza, mood boards are extremely important as they enable us to resolve any potential design issues before beginning a project.

We source samples as quickly as we can (often within 24 hours) and always make sure to match all surfaces and finishes before ordering the actual materials. In the long run, this saves time, money, effort and… nerves (ours and the client’s)!.

Gloucester Road project

• Often, colours that you see on the computer screen look completely different in reality. If you skip ordering a physical paint sample, it’s likely that the colours in your scheme will not go well together. Even if they seem to go well together, a mood board can always help you to match them even better (trust us on this one!).

• You could order a finish or material that looks great on a picture, but in fact it is very poor quality. This could cost you money and valuable time that you might not have.

• You might not be able to see (or imagine) the potential for creating a unique interior if you don’t use a mood board. This could lead you to create a bland, boring interior that could have been really exciting, unique and personal.

Sloane Street project

First things first-a true mood board represents the mood or feeling that we want to convey through the scheme. Mood boards don’t have to represent the actual furniture or finishes – after all, it’s only the first step of the creative process.
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Start by choosing a background – either a large white foam board or a giant marble-effect tile. We prefer light backgrounds as they make the finishes and textures stand out better.
A non-reflective surface is also a good idea if you’re planning to take photos of your mood board.

Position the board close to a window and make the most of natural light.
Avoid making any colour decisions under artificial light, as you will be able to see the colours better under natural light.

Select images that inspire you: this could be other interiors, details, products, etc.

Magazines or catalogues are a good option because you can rip them up. Another way to go is go through your favourite Pinterest boards. If you have already decided on a colour scheme, you might want to find an image with similar colours. You could also use postcards or images you’ve taken during a holiday if you’d like to emulate that ambience.
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Order fabric, paint and wallpaper samples, to add texture. Metal finishes, leather samples, veneers and wood floor samples are also useful.
Consider ironing the fabrics before you start placing them on your board so that the final effect is professional and neat.
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Select little objects or items that appeal to you. At Temza we often go for crystals, fresh flowers, succulents or even artisan chocolates. These won’t necessarily be used in a finished room but might help to represent the feeling you are trying to convey.⠀⠀⠀
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Embrace your creativity and have fun! If you get stuck, leave the board for a few hours and come back to it. If you are planning to purchase or order any of the finishes, live with the board for a few days so that you are absolutely certain that you are in love with your idea and comfortable with your creation.

At Temza, we love to photograph our creations and share them on our social media platforms. This not only shows that we are passionate about what we do, but also that we are not afraid to experiment and that we love a challenge, even if that means specifying one kilo of artichokes for our kitchen styling. Plus we have Joy, who is always happy to help and add a little bit of herself into every design!

Just remember to photograph your creations in daylight, avoid artificial light. 90 or 45 degree angles usually work best. Straight or diagonally, make sure to show your board in its best light!

There’s no harm in adding a little of your own personality to your social media posts, and users will be more likely to engage with you and your brand.

You can find all our mood boards on Instagram using the hashtag #temzamoodboards. Give us a follow and tag us in your takes on the mood board challenge – we’d love to see what you come up with!