But even still, there is just SOMETHING about tangible, physical inspiration that stands the test of time. This is why I still buy design and art books, and it’s why I couldn’t wait to put up an inspiration board in my office!
Today we’re partnering with our friends from Canon USA to share why making a mood board in your workspace can keep you fresh and inspired!
As per usual, I used my favorite printer—the PIXMA iP8720. I love it because I can print a whole bunch of photos at once on my 13×19 paper, which is perfect for making mood boards! I typically use the Luster paper because the color comes out so lovely on it.
The best advice I have ever heard about keeping a mood board (and forgive me, I can’t remember where I picked this up) is to change it up whenever you stop “seeing it”. You know how if you leave something in a room for long enough (whether it’s beautiful or a mess), you eventually stop noticing that it’s even there? That’s when you know it’s time to refresh your mood board.
I like to do it every season, but if I’m designing product or in another big project, I might do it as often as every month.
Keep your mood board personalized, fresh and surprising!
-Favorite photos and memories
-Vintage inspiration
-Textiles and colors that inspire me
-Color, pattern and texture
Have a wonderful day. xx! Elsie
Credits//Author: Elsie Larson. Photography: Elsie Larson and Laura Gummerman. Photos edited with the new A Beautiful Mess actions.
53 Comments
This is such a great idea! I want to create one
xo
http://www.laurajaneatelier.com
Great idea Elsie! I also have a moodboard in my office with photos, postcards and memories of my trips and it cheers me up every time I see it!
I hope you share more photos of your office, I’m looking forward to see the rest of the space.
Also, i love the wall colour! Are they white or pale pink? Do you happen to know the paint colour?
xx
Andrea
Where is your top from? I love it!
This is beautiful! I love this idea. I still prefer old fashioned pencil and paper when getting out blog ideas, too. There’s nothing like seeing your ideas on tangible paper to really get your creativity going!
Keshia
http://www.queenlifeblog.com
I have been wanting to create an inspirational board! Thanks for the inspiration!
https://memoriesandmacchiatos.wordpress.com
Rosemary and Shelly and so many other greats! Love this mood board, Elsie. It’s even inspiring me!
Here’s a problem I come across with mood boards (especially ones that have personal photos), what do you do with the content once you take it down? I always feel really guilty recycling it or throwing it away.
I recently made a mood board and I absolutely love it!
xo, Liz
http://lipstickandconfetti.com
I have a mood board on pinterest at the moment, but I love how you have it right at your desk for continual inspiration. Looks like I need to start finding some wall space to set mine up! 😉
Hi Teresa,
It’s from Boden a couple years ago.
xoxo- Elsie
I’m in the middle of creating one but with magazine pictures!
– Belen
Check out my blog A HINT OF LIFE
Where is your desk chair from? I love the white and gold!
I loved your post ! It is really inspiring , as well your dad’s saying … i will keep it in my mind to do it !!!
Great tips!
Liv
http://www.livforstyle.net
i always tape pictures of fun places, friends and family in front of me at my desk, i should add more pretty things though for more inspiration 🙂 thanks for sharing your mood board!
Hi Brittany,
I found it on Joss & Main. I really like it so far!
xx- Elsie
Did you just use a whiteboard or is that an actual white bulletin board? That would go so perfectly with my room decor.
Good question. I kind of hoard fun paper scraps for scrapbooking. :))
xx- Elsie
Did you just use a whiteboard or is that an actual white bulletin board? It would go so perfectly with my room decor.
Hi!
I guess I forgot to say- I bought a regular cheap bulletin board and painted it white, then added hardware to the edges just like this- http://abeautifulmess.com/2015/11/try-this-update-simple-frames-with-gold-hardware.html 🙂 xx- Elsie
My new house isn’t so new anymore and we still have blank walls. This is a great way to get a lot of coverage for a little bit of money. 🙂
Super cute moodboard!
http://www.petiteandhungry.com
I love a good moodboard! I use them all the time to plan big assignments at uni! Great post x
http://www.lydiamicha.com
It is so colourful it’d inspire even the biggest grump 🙂
That is such a cool idea, I usually use my Pinterest boards as inspiration, but a mood board is a far better idea!
https://www.makeandmess.com/
This is a lovely article. I tried this before but more of a goal board- I really like the mood board. Also I just love your desk, chair, plant and pink little organiser. Can I please have them all sent to me haha! thanks ?
When I was in school I used to create mood boards almost every 2 months and I really miss it because I feel like that used to help a lot with my creative work. I should probably get back to making them!
I love your comment about “when you stop seeing it”, so SO true!!
Rebecca
xx
http://www.peppermintdolly.com
I try to keep my office area a bit of a “mood board.” I decorate the walls with prints that inspire me, editorial illustrations from magazines, polaroids, fashion cards, etc. I love it. It’s nice to have a space that inspires me creatively, which can be very motivating for me since I work at home.
Aisling | http://anthologie.org
Wow, i was going to make a moodboard today, and then this popped up in my feed. Great minds ;p
Fairly unrelated, where are your glasses from?
Where are those glasses from?
I love this idea. I use to have mood boards when I was younger before I knew what they even were. I need to start making more now that Im older.
Changing your board when you stop seeing it is such great advice! I’ve been thinking of making one for the winter when I feel least creative. It’s so fun figuring out what to put on it !
Hi Maria,
They’re from ZeroUV.
xx- Elsie
Hi Sara!
They’re from ZeroUV.
xx- Elsie
Convicting! I think I stopped “seeing” everything in my studio long ago. Thanks for the motivation (as always) 🙂
Love the mood board color and nod to Twin Peaks! I found a chick on Instagram recently that had some great Twin Peaks paintings and prints. You should check her out, there’s a Log Lady!
https://www.instagram.com/otherpeoplesfamily
I totally agree about how you need something tangible! I’ve created something similar in my cubical at work to help me feel motivated and happy!
xo, Heather
Been thinking of doing one myself as well!
Jabeen x
http://www.spilling-the-beans.co.uk/
Such a great idea! The standard bulletin board color doesn’t fit with my decor at all. Any recommendation on the paint for this project?
What a great idea! I love your tip to change it up when you stop seeing it. I’ll be doing this soon.
Love this post…
Hi ! I love this idea ! But what is the size of you bulletin board ??
Thanks !!
Marina 🙂
I’ve never thought of using a mood board before. http://www.hannamarielei.com
I’m always looking for inspiration, and definitely feel a moodboard would be good for me. Pinterest is great as a digitial version but it is really nice to have something on your wall you can look at from time to time and motivate you!
That mood board is GORGEOUS! Awesome post!
http://www.emmalenhart.com
Elsie,
Will you please share where the pink desk organizer tray is from?
Thanks!
Kristi 🙂
Hello Elsie :),
Really loved reading this post. I love your advice to switch it up when you stop “seeing it”.Such a fun part of keeping the creative flow is to constantly refine your source of inspiration!
This post got me thinking, and actually inspired my own blog post this week! I do mood boards a bit differently, mainly using words and quotes to keep my inspired, rather than images. I tape em all up to my walls, so the whole room turns into one giant mood board! (That said, I still have a million pinterest boards to my name ;b.)
Hope you have a lovely week!
– Micky
Thanks for the inspiration. I forget about a mood boards, but it’s exactly what I could use right now.
Where did you find the square size bulletin board?
Moodboards keep me soooooo inspired!
xo
This is so inspiring and adorable. The Nashville map especially stood out to me. I love that city!
i love it