How to Find Your Home Style Using a Moodboard (Step-by-Step Guide)

runesdatter6
Sep 29
4 min read

Most of us start a renovation by collecting inspiration: we scroll Pinterest, save posts on Instagram, and screenshot interiors we love.That’s a great start- but here’s the problem: most people stop there.

If you don’t take the time to analyze your inspiration and turn it into real design decisions, your photos become nothing more than digital clutter in your phone.

Why We Collect Inspiration

Our brains react to visual impressions. We save what we like- but we rarely stop to ask why we like it.It might be the mood, a color, or a specific shape.

When we collect images without reflecting on what draws us in, it becomes difficult to create a clear plan out of them.

Pinterest moodboard ideas for home renovation — I have dozens of Pinterest boards myself- but how do you turn that chaos into a concrete plan?

Step 1: Analyze Your Images

Pick out a few of the inspiration images that speak to you the most.Instead of just looking at them as a whole, start asking yourself questions:

🎨 Colors

Do you see mostly warm tones (beige, brown, terracotta) or cool tones (gray, blue, black)? Is there a clear direction?

🛋️ Zones

Do you notice that you tend to save dark bedrooms but bright living rooms? That might tell you something about the mood you’re drawn to.

🌿 Materials

Are there lots of natural materials (wood, stone, linen) or more modern ones (glass, metal, concrete)?

💡 Light and atmosphere

Are the rooms bright and airy, or dark and intimate?

✨ Detail level

Do you prefer minimalism- or rich, layered spaces full of texture?

🌀 Form

Do your images show clean lines and sharp edges, or softer, more organic shapes?

When you start to analyze your images like this, you’ll often notice clear patterns- even if the collection first looked chaotic.

Interior design moodboard with color palette and materials — Here’s an example: this was my kitchen moodboard. I wanted blue cabinets, warm-toned walls, plywood furniture, and a pop of color.

skandinavisk interiør og helhetlig stil — Here is how it turned out- I think I managed to capture the essence of my inspiration in real life!

Step 2: Sort and Categorize

Group your images into smaller categories. For example:

Group 1: Living room and dining area
Group 2: Bedroom
Group 3: Storage
Group 4: Lighting

This makes it easier to see what dominates in each category- because you might not like the same colors or materials in the living room as you do in the bedroom.

Step 3: Define What You Actually Like

Once your images are sorted, take a few minutes to write down what you like about each group. For example:

“I like dark bedrooms with dim lighting because they feel luxurious and calm.”

“I like bright, open living rooms because they make me feel relaxed.”

“I like adding small pops of color — it makes my home feel more personal.”

“I like wall lamps because they give cozy light without glare.”

It might sound tedious, but writing down why you like something makes future design decisions so much easier. You become more conscious and confident about your style.

Step 4: Turn Inspiration Into Action

Now for the important part — how do you go from inspiration to real-life choices?

Choose a Color Palette

Pick 2–3 main colors and 1–2 accent tones that repeat across your saved images. These will form the foundation for paint, furniture, and textiles.

Define Your Materials

Select a maximum of 2–3 main materials (for example: oak, white stone, black metal). Repeating these across rooms creates visual flow.

Describe the Mood

Write one sentence that captures your style — something like:

“I want my home to feel calm, natural, and timeless.”

Connect Ideas to Other Plans

If you notice lighting styles you love — turn that into a lighting plan you can give your electrician.If you’ve saved smart storage ideas — turn them into a storage plan before building starts.

The point is: don’t let inspiration stop at the “pretty picture” phase — translate it into real, useful plans.

Step 5: Use Your Moodboard as a Filter

Once you’ve done this, your moodboard becomes much more than a pretty collage- it’s a decision-making tool.

It helps you see your plan visually, which is far easier to remember than a written list.You’ll never forget a clever idea again, because it’s right there in front of you.
Every time you find a new product, add it to your moodboard and ask:➡️ Does it fit the overall vibe?
Every time you plan a new task- like lighting- check your board to remember which fixtures you wanted to include.

If you’re tempted by something completely different, you’ll instantly see that it doesn’t fit- saving you from impulse buys.

Your moodboard becomes a visual roadmap that guides you through the entire renovation.

Summary

Inspiration images on their own are just raw material.It’s only when you start analyzing, categorizing, and translating them into actual colors, materials, and moods that they become a foundation for your renovation.