mood board

noun

variants or less commonly moodboard

ˈmüd-ˌbȯrd 

plural mood boards also moodboards

: a collection of images, fabrics, etc. assembled on a physical or digital board and used as aesthetic inspiration when planning the design of something (such as a project, event, or room)

Mood boards are a way for businesses to get on the same page as their clients and they are used by interior designers, fashion designers, event planners, and more.

—Phoebe Avison

In one corner, a huge mood board was covered with colorful fabric swatches, paint samples and pictures of furniture.

—Tanda Gmiter

This white dress sums up my summer fashion moodboard—it's lightweight, comfortable, and takes about zero effort to style.

—Brooke Knappenberger

compare vision board

Examples of mood board in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

So how, exactly, did these polka-dot pouts make their way onto the mood board? — Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 25 June 2026

Additionally, stylist Dhairius Thomas, who works with stars like Ziwe and Victoria Monét, says to add long layers and knotless braids to your styling mood board. — Emily Kelleher, InStyle, 24 June 2026

Edgar-Jones, who has long been known for her enviable hair—her piecey bangs and teddy bear bronde color have shown up on mood boards everywhere—previously told Vogue that her ultimate inspiration is none other than the patron saint of French Girl Beauty, Jane Birkin. — Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 23 June 2026

With a mood board of influences including CD-binder staples like Neil Young’s Harvest Moon and alt-country lifers Blue Rodeo’s Five Days in July, Shabason and Krgovich summon the spirit of a backyard campfire attended by folkies and experimental jazz nerds alike. — Zach Schonfeld, Pitchfork, 18 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1985, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mood board

• abhorred
• aboard
• accord
• adored
• afford
• award
• baseboard
• billboard
• blackboard
• boxboard
• breadboard
• broadsword