Getting Started

You can find ideas in interior design magazines and websites, or take a look around you when you’re out and about, you may find plenty of inspiration from textures and patterns in fashion or even nature.

Collect images of rooms and styles you like, these could be printed from a website, cut out of magazines, or take your own photos of interiors that catch your eye. You can then look for common themes and features in these images to use when decorating your own home.

Gather swatches for each element of the room, this includes paint colours and wallpaper, carpet or tiling samples, curtain materials, and even seat fabrics. If you like the look of one of our dining chairs but aren’t sure if it will match your décor, we can send a fabric swatch to you. Or if you prefer, bring your mood board into our showroom and compare it with a variety of chairs and bar stools to find the best match.

Will you be creating a physical or digital mood board? Make a physical board with a large piece of card or use a corkboard to easily pin down ideas. This is great for trying out specific combinations; for example, you can see how particular wallpaper will look against your seat fabric.

If you prefer to use a computer, get creative with the likes of Photoshop to compile images you find online. There are also many online platforms that are quick and easy to use. Pinterest allows you to create numerous boards, you could create one for every room of the house, and fill each one with inspiration and images that appeal to you. Check out our Pinterest for some examples.

Layout

When arranging your board, position your images, samples, and swatches, as you would see them in the room. For example, place carpet or tile samples at the bottom, and pair features that will sit next to each other, such as curtain fabric next to paint samples. You will discover items that complement each other and items that clash. This will enable you to visualise the room as a whole, and you may find it helpful to sketch the layout of the space first.

Consider the size of each swatch you use, what will take up the most visual space in the room? Generally, you should use bigger samples for flooring and walls; this will give you an idea of how the ratio of colours and materials will work when put in place.

If you are undecided on the style you want to go for, creating another mood board for a different colour scheme or theme can help you find a solution. You could also use text or keywords, such as ‘vintage’ or ‘luxurious’, as a reminder of the theme and atmosphere you want to create.

Your preferences are likely to change as you begin to position everything, so if you are creating a physical board, make sure you use temporary fixings such as pins, paperclips, and masking tape, to easily remove and rearrange.

Lush Chrome Stool

Make as many different combinations as you like until you reach the look you want. Once you are happy with it, you can begin decorating safe in the knowledge that you have tried and tested the design.