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Read MoreThe Ultimate Guide to Using a Kitchen Mood Board for Your Remodel
Kitchen mood board
Kitchen mood board with samples of cherry wood flooring, black shaker cabinets, black tile and gold cabinet hardware pulls
It’s no easy task making interior design decisions. With so many products, finishes, and materials out in the marketplace, it can be hard to even know what you want, let alone if it works with everything else.
Will the countertops compliment the cabinets? Which materials should match, and which should contrast? Darker or lighter flooring?
Thankfully, there’s a low-risk method to get more perspective and confidence while making these decisions: creating a kitchen mood board. Using a kitchen mood board is very beneficial because it helps you coordinate every color and finish in one location. This is especially effective for people who find visualizing their space difficult.
What is a Kitchen Mood Board?
Mood boards are a powerful tool in the designer’s kit and can also be called an inspiration board, or design board. Whether it’s a physical or digital collection, kitchen mood boards combine materials, colors, textures and images into a single visual scene. Concept boards are used by creatives of all stripes, including graphics designers, web designers, and fashion designers.
For remodelers, inspiration boards are a great tool for communication. It gets homeowners and designers on the same page by displaying visual ideas that can be difficult to put into words. Two people might use the same words like “inviting” and “transitional” to describe their goals, but have different ideas about what that will look like in a space.
Why Use a Kitchen Mood Board?
Everyone should use mood boards because of the benefits they provide. Not only do they help you visualize all your materials together like tile, cabinets and countertops etc., but they can prevent costly mistakes. Designing from memory is never a good idea and can cause serious problems down the road. Having one place to create a collage of finishes and product photos is best so you can see potential problems before they arise.
What should I include in my mood board?
The goal of a mood board is to communicate the big picture of the space. A kitchen mood board also includes finishing touches like hardware and accessories to create a cohesive look.
Start by including the elements that are certain to be used in your kitchen. If your goal is to create a farmhouse kitchen for example, you might start with white cabinetry and a photo of a farmhouse sink. Alternatively, you might start with parts of your existing kitchen that you intend to carry over, like a dining set or family heirloom. At the very least, a standard kitchen mood board should include samples of the cabinets, countertops, tile backsplash and paint.
What should I include in my mood board?
- Cabinet samples
- Countertop sample
- Cabinet hardware
- Paint sample
- Backsplash tile
- Flooring sample
- Photos of lighting, appliances, sinks, faucets, art and furniture
How Do I Create a Mood Board?
Traditional Kitchen Mood Boards
Even before the rise of personal computers, designers and remodelers had been making mood boards for decades. You can create a mood board by simply and effectively arranging clippings and cut-outs from home magazines and product catalogs in a collage.
If making a paper collage isn’t your thing, you can use product samples. Many companies in today’s kitchen and bath industry will provide free samples. Take advantage of free samples to mix and match different combinations to find out what you like.
Use cardstock or poster boards and apply your samples with strong adhesive for durability. Using physical samples will help you see exactly how each finish and texture will pair together, giving you room to make adjustments if need be.
Digital Kitchen Mood Boards
With websites like Instagram, Pinterest, and Houzz, collecting remodel inspiration has never been easier. Acting as gigantic catalogs of ideas from all over the web, each site has features that allow users to bookmark and save the posts they’re interested in.
To cut, paste, and display your photos, all you need is a simple program like Paint, PowerPoint or even Word. These tools are simple and widely available, though homeowners can find specialty apps and sites dedicated to making inspiration boards.
Keep in mind with digital mood boards that every computer shows color differently. Just because the shade looks warm online, does not mean it will look that way in person.
Be aware that the physical product could show up looking slightly different than a computer, phone or iPad portrays. However, another great benefit of digital kitchen mood boards is you don’t have to carry around all your samples.
Take your turn using this fun tool for planning a kitchen remodel. As you brainstorm design ideas for your upcoming project, make one for yourself and enjoy the process.
Shop CliqStudios cabinet samples to start your mood board today!
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Let’s Get StartedKitchen Mood Board FAQs
What is the primary purpose of a kitchen mood board?
The primary purpose of a kitchen mood board is to display your colors and finishes at a glance for quick reference. When you’re planning a kitchen remodel, it’s important to be able to make confident decisions. With a sample board, you can quickly and easily see every design choice and how this new product will fit into that aesthetic.
How does a kitchen mood board differ from other design boards?
Kitchen mood boards are different from other inspiration boards because they include hard finishes like cabinets, countertops, appliances and cabinet hardware. Most of these materials are exclusive to the kitchen. Other boards can be used as inspiration for color schemes, specific design styles or wish list features. Kitchen mood boards are typically used for finding the final designs’ finishes and colors.
Are kitchen mood boards only for professional designers?
Anyone can use kitchen mood boards for their remodeling project. This is an excellent tool for someone who likes to have everything in one place for visualization. Placing multiple finishes, products and colors on one board will help anyone easily see whether their design is going in the right direction. If not, it’s simple to swap out one color or material for another to make it right before any permanent construction has been completed.
I'm not planning a complete kitchen remodel. Is a mood board still useful?
Yes, mood boards are incredibly useful for most types of projects. Whether it’s an art project or DIY home remodeling project, having one central location to place colors, finishes and features will simplify your decision-making process. It also provides a great way to help others see what you are thinking and brainstorm ideas for improvement.
How do I decide what to include in my kitchen mood board?
There are endless options of products and finishes to include in your kitchen mood board. Use our mood board check list to learn what is most common to use.
- Cabinet samples
- Countertop sample
- Cabinet hardware
- Paint sample
- Backsplash tile
- Flooring sample
- Photos of lighting, appliances, sinks, faucets, art and furniture
Can I use both digital tools and physical clippings to create my kitchen mood board?
Yes, you can choose to use any kitchen mood board format that works for you. Whether it’s digital to start or a physical board that you can take from store to store. Some homeowners like using both because a digital mood board is easier to bring with while shopping in stores rather than carrying a board around. Choose what works best for you and your remodel, however, keep in mind that finishes can look different online while shopping.
I'm unsure about color palettes for my kitchen. Are there resources to help with this?
Yes, CliqStudios has resources to help define your kitchen remodel’s color scheme. Coordinating palettes is no easy feat, so research online, look at Pinterest for inspiration and most importantly bring samples home. Everything looks different online whether it’s a color or texture. Order free samples and gather finishes that you can take home and look at in your natural lighting. It’s also helpful to look at the finishes each time of day. Lastly, create a kitchen mood board collage as a visual representation of the final design so you can adjust along the way.
Can I consult with a kitchen designer to refine my mood board ideas?
Yes, CliqStudios designers are happy to assist you with any design needs during your kitchen remodel. Kitchen mood boards can be complex with the vast range of products. It can include anything from cabinet samples and hardware to paint, countertops and appliance photos. Our expert designers have completed over 50,000 projects and are ready to help you find the design in your style and budget. Contact a CliqStudios designer today!
