Mood boards & Magic: How to Start Your Next Design Project Like a Pro

Before the paint samples, the furniture deliveries, or the inevitable “why is this light fixture still on backorder?” moment—every dream design begins with a mood board. Whether you’re redesigning a room or planning a full-blown home makeover, a mood board is your best friend. It helps organize your vision, clarify your style, and serve as your design North Star.

Mood boarding is basically curated dreaming. And it’s easier (and way more fun) than you think. Start with the vibe: What do you want your space to feel like? Cozy and earthy? Light and coastal? Moody and dramatic? Once you have your overall mood, dive into collecting visuals—Pinterest, Instagram, magazines, and even photos from your travels are great starting points.

As you begin pinning or saving, look for patterns. Are you gravitating toward a certain color palette? Repeating shapes or textures? A mix of old and new? These common threads are the bones of your style. Pro tip: If you find yourself falling in love with multiple styles (modern and traditional, boho and minimalist), don’t worry. Mood boarding helps you find a way to blend them in a way that feels cohesive.

Once you’ve gathered inspiration, bring it together. Digital platforms like Canva or Pinterest boards are great for this, or go old-school with a corkboard and magazine cutouts. Include paint swatches, furniture pieces, textile samples, and lighting ideas. Your mood board doesn’t need to be perfect—it’s meant to help you visualize, refine, and start building a clear direction before investing time or money.

In 2025, mood boards are going beyond aesthetics and diving into sensation. What do you want your space to feel like in your body? Peaceful? Energizing? Warm? Design is about how you move through a space and how it supports your lifestyle. A well-done mood board doesn’t just show how a room might look—it captures its emotional tone.

And once your mood board feels right? That’s when the real magic starts. You can shop more confidently, communicate your vision clearly with contractors or designers, and avoid costly missteps (like realizing that amazing green velvet sofa really doesn’t go with your tile floors).

👉 Need help turning your design vision into reality? Greer Elizabeth Designs can help you craft the perfect moodboard and use it as the foundation for a stunning, soul-filled space. Let’s take your dream from board to real life—reach out to start creating your vision today!