Create a mood board in five easy steps

1) Decide on the board you want – traditional or digital? If you prefer a hands-on approach, you will need a blank piece of card (A3 size and above is ideal) and some reusable adhesive or a cork pinboard and some thumb tacks. If you like the idea of creating a digital mood board, try Pinterest (pinterest.com). It is a great bookmarking tool that allows you to collate, curate and store images and ideas online.

2) If you are not sure how to begin, try starting with one item that you love. It could be a piece of furniture, a paint swatch or even your favourite piece of clothing. Place this in the centre of your board.

3) Now it is time to build your vision. Flick through magazines and use online sources, such as blogs and Pinterest, to collect any images that spark the imagination. You may also find it helpful to collect fabric, paint and wallpaper samples from your local home suppliers.

4) Let yourself play. Arrange your pictures and samples around your board to see how they work together. How do they tie into your central image? Which colours sit well with each other? If you are working on a physical board, avoid fixing anything down until the end – this way you can change your mind as you go.

5) Once you have created a board that you are happy with, take a photograph (or print it out if it is online) and keep it with you when choosing paint and furniture. This way you will have a visual image to help you focus on creating your dream space.

Mood boards are a great way to experiment, so trust your instincts and most importantly, have fun!