mood board

American  

[mood bawrd] / ˈmud ˌbɔrd /

noun

1. a collage of various items, as scenic snapshots, song lyrics, and mementos, used to evoke a desired feeling, style, or ambience for a project or event, and often fashioned as a starting point from which to create an inspiration board.

   The wedding planner helped us put together a mood board, which set the whole tone for our reception.

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mood board British  

noun

1. a board used by designers on which samples of various colours and textures are mounted to help in deciding which elements complement each other

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Etymology

Origin of mood board

First recorded in 1980–85

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

mood board

Its founders had that strategy in mind from the beginning: Their first mood board featured an iPhone, an Eames chair and a Dyson vacuum cleaner.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 3, 2026

What’s on the mood board for “Vanity”? What were you listening to and thinking about?

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 27, 2025

For weeks leading up to the bout, she manifested victory by creating a mood board and pinning it above her bed.

From BBC ● Dec. 30, 2024

Once I got confirmed for the job after initially getting the pilot episode I then made a mood board and sent that over.

From Salon ● May 16, 2024

The invitation says guests will find a mood board for each day’s dress code, with an army of hair stylists, makeup artists and Indian wear designers at their hotel.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 29, 2024