Spring Decorating: Start with Mood, Not Moodboards
Why mood matters more than moodboards this Spring
There’s something in the air, isn’t there? That gorgeous sunshine we’ve been having, the heady scent of blossom, the feeling that now is the time to get cracking with your interior design refresh. Spring is always such a buzzy season. It wakes us up, shakes us out of our winter slumber and fills our heads with big, exciting ideas for our homes.
But here’s the thing. I notice that most people barrel into a makeover by first picking a paint colour, or endlessly pinning ideas, maybe even ordering a few fabric swatches… and suddenly it’s all a bit overwhelming, because, well with so much choice…how do you choose! Before you know it, you’re knee deep in Pinterest boards, full of home envy, and none the wiser about where to begin. That’s where I say – pause. Take a breath. And ask the most important question of all…
Vintage Kilim Rug: That Rebel House. Sofa: Covered in Element Aqua, Harlequin. Rattan Lampshades: La Redoute. Scallop Tray: Addison Ross. Fabric sails, and fabrics on both armchairs: Sophie Robinson X Harlequin.
How do you want the room to feel?
Forget for a moment whether your style fits into a category, be that Scandi, Modern rustic or full-on Maximalist. Before we even talk about trends or tiles or fabric swatches, I want you to think about the mood. The emotional backdrop. The energy of the room. The vibe.
You can begin by imagining how you are using the space. Do you want to feel calm and cocooned? Energised and alive? Is it your place to retreat and switch off, or your party central where everyone gathers on a Friday night? This one decision – how the room should feel – will be your biggest design anchor. It’s the part people skip, and then wonder why their scheme doesn’t quite land.
Before you dive into colours and cushions, ask yourself—how do you want the space to feel?
Pick your five words
It’s such a simple technique but freakishly helpful. Sit down with a pen and jot down five words that capture the mood and feeling you’re after. And don’t rush it. Let yourself really think about what that space needs to be in your life.
If you land on words like bright, sociable, joyful, relaxed, open – then you know you’re headed towards a playful, welcoming vibe. Think perky colours, cute curves, sparkly surfaces and maybe a splash of ditsy pattern. But if you’re feeling soft, grounding, serene, natural, gentle – that’s a very different direction. Maybe dusty tones, plain neutrals, and layers of soft texture everywhere you turn.
One note – your five words need to hang out well together. If you pick “relaxing” and “dramatic”, you might have to wrestle with some contradictions. But if you get them aligned, your scheme will practically build itself, because you’ve created a solid foundation on which to base all future design choices.
Forget Pinterest—start with five mood words that depict the mood you want, and let them be your design compass. Vintage Chairs Re-upholstered in Wonderland Floral: Sophie Robinson X Harlequin
Why the vibe comes first
From a practical point of view, this approach saves you time, energy and money. No more impulse buys that don’t feel right once they’re home. No more painting a whole room only to realise it doesn’t make you feel anything. Once you’ve got your vibe sorted, decisions become easier. Because now you’ve got a fab filter through which every choice must pass.
Does this rug make the room feel more ‘elegant and grounded’? Does this tile align with the idea of ‘bold and expressive’? Does this floral pattern feel fresh and joyful?
You’re not choosing at random anymore. You’re curating a feeling. This ultimately creates a vision which brings cohesion and clarity.
When you start with the vibe, you’ll save time, energy and money. Kitchen cabinets: Magnet. Wonderland floral Wallpaper: Sophie Robinson X Harlequin
The mood board isn’t dead – just demoted
Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love a moodboard be it on Pinterest or in my sketch book. I can spend hours faffing with cut-outs and samples, and it’s one of the most exciting parts of any project. But the mood board is the next step. The vibe – the five words – that’s the jumping off point. It gives everything else context and allows you to examine the images of rooms that you are drawn to. This way you can rationalise why you like them and ask yourself, “Are they delivering the right vibe?” before you stick them down.
For example, you might love deep green velvet and moody, dark and mysterious interiors. But if your room in mind needs to feel light and breezy to get you motivated in the morning, (a shower room, for example), then you can see why that might not work. You might adore a fresh white country kitchen, but if your lifestyle means you only use the kitchen at night under electric lights, that style could leave you cold. It’s not about what’s trendy, it’s about what’s right for the way you live.
Five words first—then you can dive into the fun bit: getting creative with your moodboard.
Want to go deeper with this process?
If this has sparked something and you’re itching to get your thoughts in order, I’ve put together a lovely free cheat sheet called Create Your Brief. It’s the exact process I use when kicking off a new interiors project. It helps you think clearly about who uses the space, when, how, and crucially, what mood you’re aiming to create.
It’s a fabulous way to gather your thoughts and start any room with intention. If that sounds like something you need, you can download the Create Your Brief cheat sheet.
Spring is a season of fresh energy and creative confidence, and I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling the full force of it this year. If you’re thinking of making changes at home, start with feeling. Then, the rest will follow.
And remember – it doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be you.
