When it comes to starting a new project in your home, it’s important to have a clear vision of the outcome. Whilst some elements may evolve along the way, having a clear end-goal will help to save time and keep your plans to budget. One of the best ways to create this early vision is by building a mood board!
Long used by interior stylists to pull together the different colours, textures and designs in a scheme, mood boards are an excellent way to streamline your project – and with free samples available from many companies, they’re simple too! Take a look at our top tips for building your next mood board design.
1. Fixed features
Before we dive into the exciting and new, it’s good to take stock of what’s already there. Perhaps you haven’t planned on changing the carpet in your room, or there’s a particular sideboard that simply can’t fit anywhere else. The tone, texture and style of these non-negotiables are important to remember when it comes to planning anything new.
Try to source samples that reflect your fixed features and incorporate them into your mood board. This will stop them from feeling out of place and disrupting the style of your updated space.
2. Exploring colours
Most people tend to be led by colours when it comes to inspiration. Whether you love vibrant bright hues or muted neutrals, choosing a core colour will help you to lay the foundations for the whole scheme ahead. Once you’ve chosen a primary shade for your design, pull out a complementary tone of the same colour, a neutral shade, and a tone that contrasts with the scheme. This helps to form a palette for your project that will guide the rest of your choices moving forward.
3. Seeking inspiration
Now you’ve found your hues, it’s time to unlock their potential. Whether you’re a Pinterest lover, or prefer to sit back with the latest home magazines, it’s time to see how others have brought those colours to life. Search out images of those who’ve used similar colours in their own homes, and consider how they have balanced the different shades to see what works best for you and the space you’re renewing. For example, the size of your room or age of your property may influence how different shades, or furniture styles appear. In a period home, you may want to draw attention to unique design features such as the coving or large windows, whilst newer homes tend to have a cleaner finish.
Gather a few of your favourite examples and look for common features amongst them to see if you can identify key elements you’d like in your own design. This may be a use of certain textures on the furniture, or a use of pattern in select accessories. The most important thing in any design project is that you create something uniquely you, so finding these favourite features and including them will guarantee success.
4. Start compiling your mood board
You’ve identified the colours and you’ve found ideas you love, now it’s time to turn them into something tangible. From paint swatches to fabric samples, gather a collection of samples that feel fitting for your vision from your ideal suppliers and begin to layer them in different combinations. Consider how the different tones and textures work together, if they invoke excitement for your project or if they match the inspiration images you pulled out. This should be a relaxed, fun experience, so take your time with the process and don’t get worried if it doesn’t come together the first time around! With time a clear outline will begin to form, which can be tweaked and developed until it feels like a finished scheme.
Top tip: Considering new sofa covers or curtains? Your local Plumbs consultant can guide you through our fabric range in a free home visit and suggest additional designs that may complement your ideas.
5. Make it happen!
Once your board is built, it’s time to make it a reality! Whether it’s with new sofa covers, fresh curtains, a lick of paint, or all the above, there’s nothing more exciting than seeing your vision come to life. This is usually the time when elements outside your mood board begin to materialise too, which help to pull the scheme together and create a space you’ll love!
Here at Plumbs, we have over 800 different patterns and colourways to choose from. Take advantage of free expert advice by organising a home consultation with us to peruse patterns and colours in person or order your 5 free swatches today.
