Where to Start with your Interiors: Moodboards & Floor Plans
Getting started with creating an interiors scheme can be daunting and there’s a lot to consider: colour scheme; layout; lighting; furniture and accessories. The options for each can be endless not to mention the indecision that comes out of not knowing where to start. So, let me break it down for you. Welcome to the first in a short series of blogs taking you back to basics. I could be doing myself out of business in sharing lots of these tips and advice, but I guess I’m just generous that way!!
So, you’ve decided it’s time to give your home the interiors makeover it deserves. Maybe the lockdown beige finally broke you, maybe your children have (heroically) destroyed the sofa beyond repair, or maybe you’re just ready to bring some joy, colour and personality into your space. Wherever you’re starting from, I’ll let you in on a little secret: before you grab a paintbrush or spend your savings on a velvet sofa you saw at 2am, you need to do two things — make a moodboard and draw up a floor plan.
Think of them as the sat-nav for your interiors journey. Without them, you risk ending up in beige limbo, or worse, with a sofa that doesn’t fit through your doorway. (It happens more often than you’d think.)
Step One: The Mighty Moodboard
Moodboards aren’t just for Pinterest addicts or overly enthusiastic GCSE art students. They are the absolute foundation of any design project—your creative playground and your safety net rolled into one.
A moodboard allows you to:
Explore your style – Are you more “jewel-toned velvet drama” or “sunshine brights with playful patterns”?
Test combinations – Can that emerald green wall really work with the mustard sofa and the leopard print rug? (Spoiler: yes, it probably can, but let’s check first.)
Stay focused – It’s very easy to get distracted by shiny things when shopping. A moodboard is your anchor.
How to make one:
Digital Moodboard – Pinterest, Canva, or good old PowerPoint. Collect images that make your heart race, from interiors and art to fashion and travel.
Physical Moodboard – Print, cut, stick. Grab fabric swatches, paint chips, magazine clippings — get tactile.
Mix it up – Sometimes a mix of both is best. A digital moodboard gives you speed and flexibility, while a physical one lets you see colours and textures in real life (because that "soft blush" online might turn out to be “accidental salmon” in your living room).
The key? Don’t overthink it. If you love it, stick it on. Patterns, colours, plants, a photo of a Wes Anderson set — if it sparks joy, it belongs there. Over time, you’ll see themes and palettes emerge — label these common elements to help cement your vision.
Step Two: Fabulous Floor Plans
Once you’ve nailed the vibe, it’s time to get practical. Enter the floor plan: the unsung hero of interiors.
A floor plan will help you:
Avoid disasters – That gigantic corner sofa might look divine on your moodboard, but if it blocks the doorway, you’ll regret it.
Play with layouts – Try out different arrangements without breaking your back moving furniture 12 times.
Think about flow – It’s not just about where things fit, but how you move through a space.
How to create one:
Go old school – Graph paper, a ruler, and cut-out furniture shapes (yes, like playing dolls’ houses for grown-ups).
Get techy – Free online tools like Floorplanner or Roomstyler make it easy.
Get professional – If you’re working with a designer (hello 👋), we’ll create scaled plans for you.
Pro tip: Always, always measure your space before buying. Twice. And don’t forget doorways, hallways, and the height of staircases. That dream sideboard is only dreamy if it makes it past the front door.
Moodboards + Floor Plans = Interiors Harmony
Here’s where the magic happens. Moodboards bring the vision, floor plans bring the reality, and together they create interiors that are not only beautiful but functional.
Picture it: your moodboard says “emerald, pink and brass with a dash of animal print.” Your floor plan confirms you can fit a bold velvet sofa, two statement chairs, and still leave room for a bar cart (non-negotiable, obviously). Suddenly, you’re not just winging it—you’re designing with confidence.
A Note on Colour and Playfulness
At Three Wise Monkeys Interiors, we don’t do bland. Bristol is a city of creativity, colour, and character — and your home should be too. Don’t be afraid of bold choices. That cobalt blue wall? It might be exactly what your Victorian terrace needs. That flamingo lamp? It’s not “too much” — it’s just enough.
Remember, interiors aren’t about impressing the neighbours. They’re about creating a home that makes you grin every time you walk through the door.
Ready to Get Started?
Grab your glue stick (or your laptop), start pulling together that moodboard, then whip out your tape measure and sketch that floor plan. The combination of the two will stop you from making costly mistakes and help you create a home that feels both stylish and unapologetically you.
And if you get stuck, need a second opinion, or just want someone else to do the hard graft? That’s what I’m here for. Drop me a message via my website or come say hello on Instagram @threewisemonkeysinteriors.
Because life’s too short for beige.
