How mood boards shape stronger exterior plans

By Cristina Soriano. 

A clear plan sparks confidence, and the right inspiration can turn an exterior renovation into a project you’re excited to start. 

Redesigning your home exterior should feel energizing, not overwhelming. Designer Cristina Soriano shares how homeowners can use mood boards to clarify their ideas, define their style and set a strong foundation for any exterior update. GAF aims to make that first step easier by offering tools and guidance that help turn early inspiration into a workable plan. With the right spark of inspiration, even the earliest stages of planning can reveal the possibilities waiting just outside your front door and creating an exterior mood board offers a simple, creative way to shape that vision and move your project forward with clarity and confidence. 

What is a mood board? 

A mood board is a visual collage that conveys a project's general vision and aesthetic. It can be used for many purposes in interior design, fashion, marketing and branding but is especially useful in exterior design — like when choosing a new roof. An exterior mood board provides a way to visually brainstorm possibilities and find the styles, textures, patterns and colors that appeal to you when looking to make changes to your home. 

How to create an exterior mood board 

While there are no official rules for creating a mood board, these strategies can help you create one that supports your exterior home design project. 

Cast a wide net to gather options 

Begin by collecting all the visual elements that appeal to you. Images can range from very specific, like particular design elements, to ones that convey a feeling and vibe. 

Identify your preferred home style 

As you contemplate your mood board, you'll begin to understand your personal aesthetic more. Are you drawn to modern, neutral features? Or is your aesthetic bold and colorful? Do you prefer something subdued but traditional? A successful visual board gives you a better understanding of your personal style. 

Narrow your vision 

Next, consider each visual element to identify which aesthetics you want to replicate for your home versus images that are just personally appealing. Are you drawn to the actual components of a certain design, or does the feeling it creates draw you more? 

Asking yourself some of these questions can help streamline your mood board. Discard any images that aren't feasible or practical. For example, say you live in the mountains but have an image of a cactus against an adobe-style home. Those elements aren't realistic or viable in your zone, so remove them from the board. 

Hone the details 

Once you've narrowed your vision, it's time to add in some of your home's practical components. Add paint swatches of your home exterior, including siding, shutters, front door and fence colors. If you have a large garden or other notable features, pull in elements from that too. Also, add textural components. For example, if your home's siding is brick or stone, grab a snapshot of that siding. It's important to get a holistic representation of your home. 

Once you've narrowed and edited your mood board, it's complete. It should give you a concise vision of what you want and what's feasible for your home. 

How an exterior mood board can help when designing a roof 

A mood board is a fun way to experiment with various design elements. Once you've created a vision for the updates you want to make to your home, you can use it to design your roof. You want your roof style and color to complement your home's exterior so it doesn't look like an afterthought or disjointed from your home's existing design. 

Compare styles and budget 

Look at your mood board to understand your desired roof color and style. Then, figure out what's feasible for your budget and scope. It helps to start with the type of roofing material you'll use, as this can inform your color options and overall cost. Review the three types of asphalt shingles, all with varying features and functions, to understand what might work best in your situation. Metal roofing is also worth consideration, as it's durable and attractive. 

Choose color schemes 

Once you've selected the roof material and style, play around with colors. To do this, you can use the GAF shingle color guide. For instance, if you want something timeless and classic, opt for charcoal or gray shingles. If you envision something rustic and romantic, go with brown or red shingles. For a balanced and neutral look, stick with beige or gold shingles. For a rich, soothing appearance, choose blue or green shingles. Make sure the color balances and complements your home's architecture and setting. 

Once you've narrowed down your selection of shingles, use the GAF Virtual Remodeler tool to digitally bring your vision to life. This tool allows you to upload a picture of your home and play around with your top shingle selections to narrow down and choose the right one for you. 

Moving from the mood board to reality 

Whether you're seeking a complete reroof or just updating your home's curb appeal, an exterior mood board can be a valuable tool for envisioning your ideas. Also, speak to an expert to make sure you've considered all possibilities and prospects. 

Original article source: GAF