A mood board offers the perfect outlet for your vision to take shape. Why create it? To share the dream of what you would like to realize in your project’s final outcome. It can contain some words, but primarily focused on elements like an inspiring image, paint chips, textures, color palettes or swatches, materials, and finishes—so you can see how they all work together.
When making a mood board for your home exterior remodeling ideas, include uplifting designs and incorporate elements that speak to you.
Read on for inspiration on creating a mood board for your homes’ upgrade.
Why a Mood Board?
1. To Capture the Look and Feel You Want
A mood board should capture your desired look or feel with imagery, text, art, and more. While you can make one digitally, the tactile feel of a physical mood board adds a welcome dimension. Creating one is a step that should not be skipped if you want the best results for your exterior makeover. It takes “brainstorming” to the next level so you can clarify what you really want in the look and feel of the outcome. Explore all the possibilities and see how each choice affects the whole picture.
2. To Take the Limits Off Inspiration
When creative concepts come to mind about how your house’s exterior upgrade should look, take the time to express them without limiting yourself. Mood boards are flexible and highly creative, so you can express your desires visually without restraint.
3. To Communicate Your Vision
A mood board includes creative elements that work cohesively to achieve your desired aesthetic. After all, how else can you articulate your dreams to your builder, remodeling contractor, and household? Mood boards help you sort key elements from the start, ensuring you communicate your wants accurately and bypass mix-ups with the remodeling team.
4. To Help You Decide on Materials
You can make a mood board for your exterior to help you choose siding, roofing, doors, and windows. Do not just clutter it with overlapping pictures. Include texture, color, and design images that help express what you want to see and feel with your house’s look after its makeover.
What to Put On Your Mood Board
Be bold and include modern hues for your siding
Modern darker colors—like Sherwin Williams’ Urbane Bronze or Gunmetal—offer sophisticated character to your exterior that is on-trend, yet familiar.
Add texture with roof shingles
Today’s asphalt shingles come in three types: 3-tab, dimensional (also called architectural), and luxury (which looks like slate). The dimensional shingles combine colors and give visual interest to your roof. Choose a dimensional or luxury shingle to add to your mood board and bring some varied texture and color to your overall design.
Complement your vision with elegant window material
Add just the right touch of contrast to your dream exterior with your window color. Decide if you would like trendy black window frames or traditional white ones, and include that on your mood board. Consider which window material will fit best in your design.
- Wood – Timeless, genuine wood window frames add warmth and character to your house.
- Vinyl – Expansive views are just ahead with sleek, slim vinyl frames that deliver more glass.
- Fiberglass – The beauty of this durable material offers the lasting style people crave for their exteriors.
- Aluminum – Resilient aluminum resists the elements while looking fabulous on modern homes.
Add a pop of color to your exterior with an entry door
Your front door is a focal point that family and friends spot when they approach your house. It is where you welcome those you love and it should have some personality and pizzazz.
If your home is covered in an Alabaster White hue, consider pairing it with Silver Strand—a light-medium blue-green-gray. Or Sea Salt—a light, muted blue-green. If you are really bold, try Retro Mint or Antique Red. If you prefer to accent with a more natural look, a deep wood grain will bring out the beauty of your home. Include your favorite option on your mood board.
Add welcoming elements to your front porch
If you think of your front porch as a “room,” you can better plan its design features. A wreath on your front door welcomes all. A place to sit and visit while watching the sunset speaks of relaxation. A small area rug grounds a section of your porch to define an added purpose to the space. Including a porch swing invites the family to linger and savor the moments together. Potted plants add warmth and beauty. Represent your preference on your mood board.
Fuel your inspiration by paying attention to your desires
Why not include landscaping elements in your overall plan? Find the space to plant that ornamental tree you have thought about for so long. Indulge in vibrant bulbs like tulips that will come up every spring and greet you each morning. Add evergreens to enjoy lush, green foliage all year and give your yard great curb appeal. They even block cold winter winds, helping lower your energy usage. Get curious about the fact that you love wildflowers or daisies. How can they fit into your exterior design?
Do not overthink your mood board
When you start expressing your ideas, begin with something inspiring and launch from there. Allow yourself to edit, improve, and select various options for your board until you get the look and feel you want from the combination of elements.
Take Your Home Remodeling Ideas To the Next Level With Beissel Window and Siding
Our team at Beissel Window & Siding is here to guide you through your home remodeling process. To help inspire your upcoming exterior remodeling projects, check out our gallery for what other Minneapolis and St. Paul area homeowners are doing!
