Last Updated on May 3, 2024 by
How to capture and review your interior design ideas and selections by creating a professional-looking sample board
A sample board can give you a clear indication of how the interior decorating design selections that you have made for your room/home will look when placed together. In this article, the tools and materials needed to create a sample board are listed. Also included is a step-by-step guide on how to create your sample board. As well as some tricks of the trade are revealed to help you create a professional looking board that can bring your interior designing ideas to life.
Interior designers often create sample boards to give the client an idea of the design proposal they have developed. They place the color samples, images of the selected furniture, examples of the materials to be used and accessories selected for the project on a board. The number of sample boards created depends on the size of the project. Small one-room projects usually only need one board. Larger projects may need a number of different sample boards.
Some examples of different types of sample boards
- Color (often used by color consultants)
- Furniture
- Drawings (perspective)
- Plans (floor plans)
- Materials (carpets and laminates etc.)
There are a number of reasons why designers use sample boards. Firstly they can be used as a way of communicating interior designing ideas. It can also be used to act as a reference tool during the life of a project. The tools need to make a board include the board, tape, adhesive, Stanley knife and labels.
Tools needed to create a sample board
- Board (paper, foam, illustration, museum boards, or Gator board for heavy materials)
- Tape (masking, double sided, Velcro for heavy items)
- Cutting tool (Stanley knife, pinking shears, sharp scissors)
- Rulers (metal for cutting, scale rule for measuring)
- Pens and pencils (felt tip, soft pencil, colored pencils, colored pens)
- Adhesive (Clear all purpose, spray adhesive)
- Cutting mat
- Labels (usually white)
The size of the board selected to create the sample boards usually depends on the size of the project. In these eco friendly times, the smallest board size possible should be used for the project. The most common sizes used by designers are A2 or A1.
Creating the board
- Most designers leave a border of at least 1cm from the top and the 2 sides of the board
- A larger space is left at the bottom of the board
- The border can be colored to coordinate with the color scheme of the interior designing ideas.
Tip: A sample paint pot of the color to be used in the room could be used for the border or the space inside the border
- Work out the size for each item (for example the carpet sample would be bigger than a lamp)
- Trim the items to be placed on the board
- Fabrics can be cut with pinking shears to stop fraying
- If more than one room is involved in the project then each board should be labeled (living, bedroom etc.)
- Create labels for each item (labels can be created on your computer or by hand)
Tip: Have all the tools and items ready before you begin
- Position each item on the board according where they would be placed in the room (for example carpet at the bottom of the board, ceiling paint sample at the top of the board)
- When you are happy with the arrangement you can use adhesive to place each item in place
- Remember Velcro can be used for heavy items (tiles, timber….)
Tip: A hairdryer can be used to remove some glued items if they have been position incorrectly
The eco friendly way to create interior design sample boards
Many designers are now creating interior design sample boards electronically. Last year, I wrote a tutorial on how to create a sample board using Word Publisher. This was before I discovered the website http://www.sampleboard.com. SampleBoard is a brilliant, easy-to-use, eco friendly, interior design online tool created by designers for designers.
The same principles can be applied when creating a sample board electronically as those mentioned above. However, there are different schools of thought on the subject of interior design online. The most important thing is that interior design sample boards are clear, easy-to-follow and is self explanatory.
Use our interior design virtual moodboard editor or read the Creative Buzz blog for added tools and tips to help you to create an interior design moodboard a cut above the rest
Author: Rosena MacFadzean
Related
FAQs
They are a type of presentation board that designers use to showcase the actual materials, finishes, and furnishings that they plan to use in a space. This can include images of furniture, fixtures, and fittings as well as samples of fabric, paint, flooring, tiles, and other materials.
How do interior designers get samples? ›
One common way is through product showrooms and design centers, where manufacturers display their latest products and materials. Designers can visit these showrooms, view the interior design samples, and even take them back to their studio or the client's site to assess how they will look in the space.
How to create a concept board in interior design? ›
How to Create an Interior Design Mood Board
- Step 1: Gather Images. Collection of images for Arlyn Hernandez's living room mood board. ...
- Step 2: Trim Away Any Background. ...
- Step 3: Start With the Non-Negotiables. ...
- Step 4: Experiment With Different Options.
Sample boards are a necessity for display in the tile and flooring industry. These boards are utilized for displaying samples of carpet, tile, wood flooring, shingles and more. We start with flat panel cutting and then from there the boards are finished to your exact specifications.
Do interior designers pay for samples? ›
Each fabric, wallcovering or tile sample, also known as a memo, represents a contract of sorts between designer and client and designer and manufacturer. The manufacturer cost for each memo averages $3 to $5, but can be up to $25 or more.
Why are samples important in interior design? ›
The importance of color, design, and material samples
In our design process, materials and color samples are invaluable. They serve not only as visual references but also enable our clients to view, touch, and experience the materials before final decisions are made.
Can you give an idea what is interior designing? ›
It is the art, science, and business planning of a creative, technical, sustainable, and functional interior solution that corresponds to the architecture of a space, while incorporating process and strategy, a mandate for well-being, safety, and health, with informed decisions about style and aesthetics.
What are presentation boards in interior design? ›
A presentation board is used by an interior designer to show their clients their ideas for whichever room they have been hired to redesign. They can also sometimes be referred to as mood boards, and they include many items. If the designer is doing more than one room, the floor plan is shown.
How to interior design for beginners? ›
Here goes:
- Make A Budget.
- Create A Mood board.
- Choose Your “Springboard" (Inspiration) Object.
- Make A Room Layout Plan.
- Choose Foundation Furniture.
- Pick Paint Colors.
- Scale Up.
- Don't Over-Source Any Single Source.
10 Tips on Developing Your Own Style
- Surround yourself with inspiration. ...
- Think about this process of developing your style as a long-term process. ...
- Get personal. ...
- Mix and match. ...
- Walk through the space that you have. ...
- Think both functional and beautiful. ...
- Only splurge on things that you really truly love.
Communicate the feel of an interior space
An interior design moodboard is a great way to collect inspiration, explore ideas and set the tone for an interior design project.
How do you conceptualize interior design? ›
A great interior design concept statement should . . .
- effectively convey your inspiration and vision for the space.
- briefly address how you went about creating the design and how you handled specific design challenges.
- articulate the room's overall ambiance.
- tell your client the origin of the design.
The materials board includes visual demonstration of colour, materials, samples, finishes and textiles used in the decoration and design project.
What is an interior design board? ›
A mood board is essentially a collection of curated images, materials, words and colors used to inspire a creative project. Sometimes called an inspiration board or an interior design mood board, the display can be physical (such as a poster board collage) or virtual (built on a digital platform).
What is the difference between a mood board and a concept board? ›
Mood Board vs Concept Board
You might use both these terms interchangeably. But there's a significant difference between a mood board and concept board. A mood board conveys the general feeling that you get about a design idea. However, a concept board provides the stimuli or inspiration to start the creative work.
