how do I start?
I have tried so many different techniques and software in the past to make a perfect mood board, but the one that has never failed me is CANVA. This software is available to everyone, and they offer a free version!This is a valuable tool when making my mood boards because this is where I add and crop images and ultimately design my presentation! Yes, I said boards because making one for each room you propose is necessary! I’ve only heard good things about CANVA and everyone, including myself, enjoys it because of how user-friendly it is!
different kinds of boards
There are many reasons why making a mood board is essential to a client and me. It’s important to us because it gives me a chance to create a vibe for a space and put all my ideas in one place and an opportunity for them to see a glimpse of their future home. The two types of mood boards I like to present are one for bathrooms and kitchens and one for furniture. These are two different styles of mood boards, but they go hand in hand to sell the design!
When making a mood board for bathrooms and kitchens, it’s important to include lighting fixtures, plumbing fixtures, materials (tile, countertops, wood) or any decor you plan on using, and inspiration for your carpentry. Interior designers tend to be imaginative, creative, and visual individuals so we can see the bigger picture. However, clients usually need convincing and should be sold on designs we are presenting to them. This is why putting time into your mood board is crucial!
Presenting the furniture board is similar, but a few differences! You want to keep in mind your space plan and knowing where the windows or doors are going is valuable, as well as including your flooring! Since you are including actual furniture pieces and removing their backgrounds, it’s important to keep scale in mind. You don’t want your nightstands to seem too large compared to your bed because your client will take notice of the scale. Balance is essential when presenting your mood board to your client.
renderings on mood board
When appropriate, it is helpful for the client to have a rendering as an addition to the materials mood board. It is a practical way for them to see your vision come to life before even built! Usually, we begin to include renderings after a client has shown interest in the materials and fixtures we have chosen, and renderings help them decide more quickly! There are many different rendering programs available, the one we use is SU Podium, which is an extension of SketchUp, and it is a beginner-friendly rendering program!
teamwork!
It is obvious that mood boards are significant for our clients, but it's also crucial to have them for the contractors and carpenters we work with to see! We always include our shop drawings with our mood boards because we want our designs to be as transparent as possible for everyone! Having everything laid out like this helps us reduce any misunderstanding, and assists in moving the project forward.
For even more inspiration follow us on instagram to get a look inside our interior design studio. If you would like to connect with us about a design project, we would love to hear from you! Please contact lizzie@popixdesigns.com
