Beach Themed Mood Board Ideas with ART
How many times have you looked at a room and wondered, What would look good on that wall? It happens to me all the time! I am a visual person - so I need to see items all together. Or have you found a piece of art that you knew you’d love in a room but wondered how it could all coordinate? ME TOO!!!! Let me tell you how I do it!
What is a Mood Board
First of all …. Let’s define what a mood board is and how I use them.
A mood board is an essential tool in the design process that acts as a visual to work from, bringing together inspiration and concepts to help plan a visually pleasing look for a space. For those passionate about interior design (or those who just need a visual! 🙋🏼♀️), mood boards offer a way to experiment with colors, textures, and decor elements before making any big decisions.
When it comes to art-centered mood boards, they play a critical role in connecting key pieces of fine art with furniture, color palettes, and room accents to make the room cohesive and functional. By assembling various images, fabric swatches, and design ideas on a board, you can envision how a piece of art might transform an entire room and set the tone for its decor.
Whether you're integrating a bold abstract painting or a serene landscape photograph, a mood board helps ensure that every element—from the color of the walls to the choice of accessories—flows seamlessly around the art. This practice is a creative and practical step that helps designers and homeowners visualize a unified, inspired space where every piece feels intentional and connected.
My story for this (and how I got started with this) is when I had to design, build from scratch and decorate a barndominium. Being a very visual person, I was struggling. Fortunately, I’m also a list maker and project manager …. So off to technology I went to build mood boards, a walk thru plan of the barndominium and suddenly it all came together and the final product is exactly what was requested. I find that mood boards allow me to both “chip and chunk” rooms and walls (basically take a big task and only work on a piece of it - chips and chunks of the whole big project ) until finally it fits together. It is my method to keep from getting overwhelmed (which I easily fall into analysis paralysis when walking thru room decor and design!!).
As a photographer, I feel the focal point should be ART. Furniture is just a tool that you sit on in order to enjoy the ART more comfortably. I realize not everyone agrees with that ... but I love ART - so it's my focal point.
With iPad and iPencil in hand… I did what I know … Select my ART and make a list (of pictures)!
Now… onto the FUN STUFF!
Here’s my process:
- Select your focal point! Decide which piece(s) of art will be the focal point or inspiration point for the room/building.
- Build a theme
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Create a Mood board
Visualize the items together. I do this by creating a mood board. Whether I pick these exact items or not - this gives me a starting place for options for the room, for the art, and my style. -
Tweak it until you’re happy with it.
Not everyone’s style is the same - so incorporate YOU into it. That will ensure that you love it! - Start shopping!
When you invest in ART, you want to showcase that art - and make sure it’s appreciated by others as much as you appreciate it! As a fine art photographer, I have seen clients struggle with where to place pieces of art. Clients love the piece of art, but they just aren’t sure how to incorporate it with their furniture, or how it could fit in a room or what decor could coordinate. So I’ve created a possible grouping of furniture items to pair along with some of my art. Allowing the visualization of art and furniture together to make a statement in your home or office.
If you’ve made it this far in the blog …. you are either curious about my style, or like the art that I’ve featured. Either way, let’s get started!
Here are the 5 steps in action!
Select your focal point
Decide which piece(s) of art will be the focal point or inspiration point for the room/building.
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Color of Weathered Wood - Featured art. This art is available in either TruLife Acrylic or High Gloss Chromaluxe Metal. The TruLife Acrylic is non-reflective/non-glare, it appears as though you’re looking through a window at the picture, and is a little more modern and contemporary. The Chromaluxe Metal is a glossier, does reflect light but is cheaper. You can’t go wrong with either one - it just depends on what your preference, style and budget can afford. |
Most of my ART can come in custom sizes. So don’t let that stop your creativity!!
A little bit about this art: It was taken in St. Lucia. This art speaks to me. Not sure if it’s the sturdiness of the weathered wood, the beautiful colors of the ocean with the blues and teals, the waves crashing against the rocks, or the sailboat in the distance. Whatever it is - the piece of art simply draws me in and is very calming for me. Perhaps the determination of the wood - it is clearly confident in its place within the rocks and has stood many trials and challenges with the waves crashing against it with the salty water.
Build a theme
The theme …. COMFORT!!
I felt like that needed to be emphasized - because we sometimes forget to make sure the room is “comfortable”. I don’t like to walk into a “sterile stiff room” where you’re afraid to sit down because you may make a crease on the couch or pillow. I like to walk into a “comfy cozy room”. I’ve always compared it by saying house or home. A home is a house that’s lived in. It may not be perfect, the rug may be wrinkled and the pillows not perfectly set, but everyone is welcome.
Create a Mood Board
Visualize the items together. I do this by creating a mood board. Whether I pick these exact items or not - this gives me a starting place for options for the room, for the art, and my style.
-
Tweak it until you’re happy with it.
Not everyone’s style is the same - so incorporate YOU into it. That will ensure that you love it!
Start shopping!
Below are the items that I selected to go with this art / moodboard. The resources are below, or feel free to be creative for your style. Either way - find something that you will LOVE! Afterall, it is your home or office!
The Color of Weathered Wood fine art is very calming - and I have matched it with neutral grays with a pop of teal color - and, of course, a tall green plant! …. because all beach pictures need a green plant in the room somewhere.
To go along with the comfy feel of a beach - I selected a super comfortable looking Roxie Sofa and Roxie Chair and a Half. I think I could plop into each of those and read a book, work on my iPad or …. snooze the day away.
The base color of the room is Benjamin Moore - Chelsey Gray paint color.
I also selected a Rustic Farmhouse Coffee Table. A great place to prop your feet up, it can hold magazines for reading, or your favorite beverage. Whatever you need for comfort - this distressed table will be the answer. Since it’s distressed, not only does it coordinate with the weathered wood in the photograph, it also allows you to use the table as you need for comfort. You won’t feel guilty for propping your feet on it!
And…. we need a little color! I love the design and color of the Wynne Swivel Chair. Need I say more? This chair literally speaks for itself. While it initially looks in contrast to the comfy feel, I think that the pop of color draws the whole theme together - along with the unique shape. The longer side of the arm coordinates with the longer branch of the weathered wood.
For the more adventurous in decorating, I also selected a floor tile Universe Aurora Tile to go with the room. I liked this pattern for a couple of reasons - one it’s gorgeous! But beyond that, I felt that it would hide dirt or sand well. There is nothing that would hinder relaxation more than to look down and see a pile of dirt or sand all over the floor. …. and we don’t want to hinder relaxation!
Last but not least - lighting. Lighting can make such a difference to a room. I don’t usually focus on that, as I feel that lighting should enhance the mood or the room, and not be the focus of it. However, once I saw this Egyptian Lantern, I knew it belonged in this room! Possibly in a reading corner, above the chair or maybe several of them hanging in a grouping at different levels in the middle of the room. Let your own creativity guide you with this light.
| As a side note - some of my art comes in acrylic blocks. This is how you can collect art - even when you don’t have an empty wall! The 5x7” acrylic block can be placed anywhere - shelves, tables, mantles. Wherever you need a pop of color or relaxation or a statement piece … you can place an acrylic block. |
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Lisa Blount, Photographer
A little bit about me: I love taking pictures! It started at a very young age and has stuck with me my whole life. I have used my pictures to capture memories and moments that later allow you to reflect. I never considered moving forward and creating art until several challenging events happened which allowed me to rethink my priorities. I then had the opportunity to collaborate with a designer and had SO MUCH FUN!! Having a 30 year career in Corporate America, has allowed me the opportunity to now do what I love - take pictures and add some beautiful art to your world!
To find other pieces of art, please check out my website www.lisablountphotography.com
Or check out some of these:
(Please note: I am not affiliated with or promoting any of the furniture or accessories - only my art. I will give you links to where I found the items, but it’s only for reference - as I simply found pieces that I liked that I felt could enhance the art when grouped with it.)