How to Create a Mood Board for Your New Kitchen: A Step-by-Step Guide
Refine your vision. Elevate your space.
Designing a new kitchen is one of the most exciting—and sometimes overwhelming—parts of a home renovation. With so many decisions to make, a well-crafted mood board becomes your visual compass. It helps you clarify your vision, communicate with designers or tradespeople, and ensure every detail aligns with your desired aesthetic.
Whether you're dreaming of a rustic farmhouse kitchen or a sleek modern space, here’s how to create a mood board that brings your kitchen concept to life.
1. Define Your Vision
Start by asking yourself a few key questions:
What feeling do you want your kitchen to evoke? (Warm and welcoming? Clean and contemporary?)
Are there any materials, colours, or styles you’re drawn to?
How will the kitchen be used—daily family meals, entertaining, or both?
This clarity will guide every choice that follows.
2. Choose a Colour Palette
Select 2–3 core colours and 1–2 accent tones. For example, a palette might include:
Cabinetry: Farrow & Ball’s Card Room Green
Worktops: Natural oak or honed marble
Accents: Brass hardware, terracotta pots, or botanical greens
Use paint swatches, fabric samples, or digital colour tools to refine your palette
3. Gather Visual Inspiration
Collect images that reflect your vision. These might include:
Cabinet styles (shaker, slab, beadboard)
Worktops and splashbacks
Flooring (wood, stone, tiles)
Lighting fixtures
Styling elements like ceramics, linens, or greenery
Pinterest, Instagram, and interior design magazines are great sources. Save images that speak to you—even if it’s just a detail like a tap finish or shelf styling.
4. Curate Materials and Textures
A tactile kitchen is a beautiful kitchen. Include samples or images of:
Timber finishes
Stone or tile textures
Metal hardware
Fabrics (curtains, seat cushions, tea towels)
This step ensures your kitchen feels layered and lived-in, not flat or overly coordinated.
5. Add Functional Elements
Don’t forget the practical side. Include:
Layout sketches
Appliance finishes (integrated, stainless steel, etc.)
Storage ideas (pantries, open shelving, drawer inserts)
These elements help ground your mood board in reality while keeping it aspirational.
6. Assemble Your Mood Board
You can create your board physically (on foam board or card) or digitally using tools like Canva. Arrange your images and samples so they flow visually—grouping by colour, material, or zone (e.g., cooking, dining, storage).
Include labels or notes if helpful, especially if you’re sharing the board with your designer.
7. Refine and Reflect
Step back and assess:
Does the board feel cohesive?
Are there any clashing elements or missing pieces?
Does it reflect your lifestyle and taste?
Tweak as needed until it feels just right.
A Real-Life Example
When working on a cottage kitchen renovation in East Devon, the client was drawn to a soft, heritage palette but unsure how to bring it all together. We began with a mood board built around Farrow & Ball’s Card Room Green for the cabinetry, layered with natural oak, aged brass, and botanical accents. By including images of shaker doors, linen textures, and pressed herb prints, the board helped us refine every detail. The result was a kitchen that felt both grounded and graceful, with every element in harmony.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Overloading the board: Too many ideas can dilute your vision. Be selective.
Ignoring function: Aesthetics matter, but so does workflow. Include layout cues.
Following trends blindly: Choose what you love, not just what’s popular.
Skipping texture: A flat board can lead to a flat design. Include tactile elements.
Ready to Bring Your Kitchen Vision to Life?
If you’re planning a kitchen renovation and want help crafting a bespoke mood board—or translating your ideas into a cohesive design—we’d love to help. Whether you need a creative sounding board or a full design consultation, let’s create something beautiful together. We are currently designing, building and installing bespoke kitchens across Devon, Dorset and Somerset.
📩 Get in touch to start your kitchen journey