Why you should create a moodboard before renovating

Searching for references before ordering an interior design project or starting a renovation is a natural path. However, it is also important to consider your preferences in colors, shapes, and materials so that the result is a personalized projects that reflects your style, allowing you to feel good living in it. A moodboard can be a good tool to ensure this. Moreover, it helps you discover your style and avoids wasting time and money going in the wrong direction.

What is a moodboard?

A moodboard is the ideal tool to materialize what is happening in your imagination, helping you practically discover if what you envision really makes sense. This is because, by collecting colors, materials, images, and shapes, you immediately perceive what they have in common and what does not match, providing precise guidance when purchasing materials. You can create your moodboard digitally or use the traditional method by getting hands-on, tearing, cutting, and pasting.

How to create a moodboard?

There are various ways to create a moodboard—from the most elaborate to the simplest. Therefore, there is no excuse for not putting one together before proceeding with your project. The most traditional way is the manual method. So, before you start assembling, choose a neutral base to place your samples, such as a plain white tray. This way, you can organize everything without altering or adding a color or texture different from what you selected for your project.

Next, gather samples of materials that you find interesting. They can be pieces of fabric and wood, paint and wallpaper samples, floor or tile pieces, and even decorative objects or anything relevant to your projects. With everything on hand, layer all the selected samples.

Since the goal of a physical moodboard is to visualize how different elements, textures, colors, and finishes interact within a projects, organize everything in layers. Do it this way: larger elements of the space at the bottom (such as the floor, for example) and smaller decorative samples at the top (like hardware or fabrics).

Now, if you do not like craftsmanship or prefer something quicker, you have the option to create a moodboard online!

Create an online moodboard

One of the advantages of an online moodboard is that you can add or change references whenever you want. You also do not have to search for images in magazines or ask manufacturers for samples. Moreover, this method is ideal for those who know exactly what style of materials and furniture they want to see in their moodboard. By typing the search term in Google or Pinterest (for example, boho decor), you will receive thousands of images as references. After that, select your favorites and add them to your online moodboard.

Websites and apps to create a moodboard

There are various online tools to help you organize all the inspiration elements you have gathered for your new decor. Here are a few that simplify the creation of an online moodboard! Pinterest: It is the perfect platform for discovering your decor style. Create boards with colors, materials, and projects, and collect images that match your projects. You can also upload your own photos and rearrange them until the board conveys exactly the feeling you are looking for. If you do not want to share your board with the whole world, you can also set it to private. Here are some tips for using Pinterest:

• Look for individual photos of furniture with a white background so you can see them alone with your other items, without interference from other elements of an already produced projects.
• If you do not find the product you want on Pinterest, visit the manufacturer's website, hover over the top left corner, and look for the red Pinterest icon ("pin") that appears on most product images. Clicking on it allows you to save the product directly from the brand's site.

Canva: It is perfect for those who enjoy a more hands-on design experience. You can work with templates or start from scratch. Drag and drop images, stickers, and text boxes into your design and customize it to your style. An interesting feature is that you can view and edit your moodboard both on desktop and mobile or tablet to have it always handy when going shopping. Here are some basic steps to assemble your moodboard on Canva:

• Go to Canva and click on the "Photo Collage" option in the middle of the home page.
• Select a moodboard template from the "Templates" options on the left.
• Click on "Photos" and drag and drop free images from image banks or insert your own images into the frames of your template.
• Do the same to add colors, text, etc.
• When finished, download your moodboard by clicking the downward arrow in the top right corner.

More tips!

Regardless of the method—whether physical or virtual—creating a moodboard will help you gather your design ideas in one place, side by side, and see how they work together. When you finalize the board, step back a bit and do not touch it for a few days. This time is ideal for you to reflect and observe if, over time, you still think everything is amazing or if you will get tired of it. If you feel the need, adjust your ideas and swap some elements, furniture, and colors until it looks the way you want. In summary, do not rush and enjoy the process!