How to Build a Moodboard That Actually Works

Why Moodboards Matter

There’s something magical about the moment a vision starts to take shape, when scattered ideas begin to find rhythm. For me, that always starts with a moodboard. Before the furniture, before the paint swatches, before the hunt for the perfect mirror… there’s this quiet, intuitive step where you start to see what a space could feel like. I love to use my software and create 3D renderings, but sometimes a simple flat moodboard is perfect!

Moodboards aren’t just collages of pretty photos. They’re a way of training your eye to truly understand what harmony actually looks like. They help you find the through line between what you love and what your space needs. They hold you accountable to your own taste. It’s a great way to really see things next to each other and then figure out how those things make you feel as a collective.

When you build one with intention, it becomes your guide. Every decision, from a side table to a candle scent, starts to connect. And that’s when a home starts to feel like you.

Start With a Feeling

Before you ever open Pinterest or start pulling images, pause and ask yourself one question:“What do I want this space to feel like?”

It sounds simple, but this is the foundation of a moodboard that actually works. Most people start with visuals. Whether it be a couch, a color, a lamp…. and end up with something that looks nice but doesn’t speak to or truly feel like them. When you start with feeling, you’re creating direction instead of decoration. It will make the difference in you feeling connected to your space. When clients work with me, the very first thing I make them answer is a questionnaire full of adjectives. It’s full of words for you to determine how you want to feel in your space.

Do you want the room to feel calm and collected, like an old European apartment with worn wood floors and linen curtains? Or maybe you want something warm and moody. A space that feels like candlelight and conversation. Maybe you’re into afro modern that’s full of culture and personality. Who knows, maybe you’re a maximalist who loves all things girly! Get specific about the emotion, not just the look.

Once you’ve named that feeling, every image you choose will have a reason to be there. A paint tone isn’t just beige anymore, it’s quiet and serene. A gold mirror isn’t just pretty, it’s nostalgic and romantic. This is the kind of perspective that turns good design into storytelling.

Step Two: Define Your Visual Story

Once you’ve named the feeling, it’s time to find the visuals that express it. This is where most people get stuck. Usually it’a not because they don’t know what they like, but because they don’t yet know how to curate and put it together. I hear all the time “I know what I like, but I just don’t know how to make it all make sense together”

Moodboarding isn’t about collecting a hundred photos that look pretty. It’s about finding the thread that ties them together. When I’m building a board, I’m looking for energy, not just style. Im looking for the tone, light, and composition that all say the same thing, even if the images are different. I also pick what I like to look at. Thinking, do I want to see this everyday? Would I want to look at this in my home?

Start by gathering inspiration from a mix of places: Pinterest, interior design editorials, fashion campaigns, photography, film stills, even travel. Think beyond furniture and décor. What color palette shows up in your favorite outfit? What kind of light do you love at golden hour? Those details say more about your design taste than you might realize.

As you collect images, don’t overthink it. Save freely at first, then step back and notice what repeats. Are there textures or tones that keep appearing? Maybe it’s muted golds, or linen, or contrast between deep woods and white plaster. That repetition is your visual language starting to reveal itself. Rushing yourself when you don’t have a strong sense of curation can really harm you in the end.

When you begin to see the pattern, you’ll know your story is taking shape. You’re not just finding images anymore, you’re defining your world vision.

Step Three: Build With Intention

Now that you’ve gathered your inspiration, it’s time to bring it all together. This is where your ideas start to live in one place, and where the difference between “aesthetic” and intention really shows.

When I’m building a moodboard, I like to think of it as composing a piece of music. (The pianist in me loves this reference) Every image plays a role of some sort. Some are bold, some are quiet, but together they create rhythm and flow. Too much of one note, and it starts to feel flat. Think of your favorite song, there’s verses, a chorus, a bridge, outros and intros.

Start by choosing your core images. Six to ten visuals that best represent the feeling you’re going for. Too many will overwhelm you and too few can make it not really connect for you. They don’t all have to be interiors. In fact, I encourage mixing lifestyle and texture imagery: a close-up of linen, a café corner in Paris, a still from a movie, a paint tone you love. These subtle details help shape the energy of your space.

Place your images with intention, thinking about balance and visual weight. Let your eye move naturally across the board.

As you build, remember: a moodboard is not about perfection, it’s about clarity. You’re building a visual story that guides you,  not boxing yourself into one exact design.

Sometimes, I’ll create multiple versions: one that leans softer and one that leans bolder. Seeing them side by side always reveals which direction feels right, or helps me find a happy medium.

Step Four: Edit Like a Designer

Once your board starts coming together, it’s time to refine. This is where you separate “pretty” from purposeful.

Look for repetition and remove duplicates. Remind yourself you don’t need three versions of the same coffee table or light fixture. Tighten your color palette and make sure every image adds something new to the story.

Ask yourself: Does this image serve the mood or distract from it? If it doesn’t contribute, let it go. A well-edited moodboard feels intentional, calm, and clear.

Design isn’t about sporadically adding more, it’s about choosing better. -Jahara Jennaé

Step Five: Use It Like a Tool

A moodboard only works if you use it. Once yours feels refined, keep it close. Reference it while you shop, style, and make decisions.

When I’m sourcing for clients, I constantly compare new pieces against the board. If something feels off, it usually is. Your board becomes the standard, and the visual reminder of the story you set out to tell.

You can even use it when styling a shelf or shooting content. Let it guide your textures, tones, and overall balance. The goal isn’t to copy the board exactly, but to keep your creative direction clear from start to finish.

A good moodboard makes every next step feel easier, because it gives your intuition something solid to stand on.

Seeing Your Space Before You Create It

A good moodboard doesn’t just help you decorate, it helps you see. It shows you what harmony feels like before you even tangibly begin.

When you take the time to slow down, to define the emotion behind your choices, you create a home that feels intentional and personal. You stop rushing to fill space, and start building something that tells your story.

That’s the art of design, it’s not about perfection, it’s about clarity. The more clearly you can see your vision, the easier it becomes to bring it to life. And when all else fails, give me a call and I’ll design it all out for you! You don’t have to do this part alone.

If you’re ready to see your ideas come to life, I offer design services that range from simple moodboards and 3D renderings, so you can visualize your space and run with it yourself all the way to full-service design and styling.

Whether you need a visual starting point or a complete transformation, my goal is the same: to help you see what’s possible before it even exists!