As a Pinterest girlie, creating a good moodboard does something for my soul. I need to see pieces of the same color family laid out together. A moodboard brings so much inspiration to my life digitally, that I wanted to create something tangible and textured in real life too. 

I got this 18” × 50” pinboard from Pottery Barn, but you could use a cork board, bulletin board, or DIY one yourself. It doesn’t have to perfect or even look like mine. It just needs to be something that brings you joy and inspiration each day. I also used gold push pins from Shorthand but here are some similar ones from Sugar Paper.

Your goals for your moodboard

If you’re interested in putting together a moodboard for yourself, I would start by first thinking of why you’re using it. 

I know a lot of people use it as an idea board, a kind of place to start to lay out colors and brainstorm future designs. But if I’m creating a moodboard as the first step to a design, I’ll usually just create it digitally. I won’t be switching out the things I’m putting on this pinboard. It’s just there for me to just be inspired.

Next, think about where you’ll want to put it. I wanted this pinboard to go right above my desk (since I spend most of my time there) as a visual reminder of my favorite things I’ve collected and created over the years. And also, a place to put my 2026 goals so I can look at them and be reminded every single day of what I’m working towards.

My goals for my pinboard

• Since I’m a paper hoarder, I needed to have a place to put collected papers from travels, cards from friends, and things I’ve made that I can’t find the heart to throw away
• A place to keep my 2026 goals front and center

Also, I just simply love when things look good. Isn’t that enough of a reason?

Next, I would think about what you want to put on it. If you’re wondering what to pin up, here are a few ideas from my own board:

10 Ideas of things to put on your pinboard

1. Travel mementos: I collected postcards and small art prints from Musee D’orsay and Musee Rodin and Paris, Choosing Keeping in London, and Appointed here in Washington, D.C. If you travel carry-on only like me, these are really good travel keepsakes and you can also gift them to people in the mail!
2. Things you’ve created: When I’m making a new calligraphy piece, sometimes I feel a little bit attached to the first drafts. Because they look imperfect, they add a little bit of roughness to the board. And, they’re also a reminder of how far I’ve come in my calligraphy journey! 
3. Gifts with purchase: Sometimes when I buy something from a brand, they include a little postcard or print in the order. Especially if you buy from fine artists or illustrators. But clothing stores will do this too: I love Yellow the Label’s “You’re more than just a pretty face, but your face is really pretty.” How could you throw that away!! Appointed also does a one page calendar gift with a planner purchase, which is super practical (and also lovely).

4. Paint chips: These are literally free, and you can collect as many as you want!! (Or did Home Depot start limiting how many you can take? I’ve been stocking up anyway). I chose paint chips in my favorite color family (muted pinks) and added them in as filler to the pinboard. 
5. Movie, magazine, or video game posters: If you’re still into collecting physical media like me, some DVDs still come with posters or postcards. My favorite Wes Anderson film is Moonrise Kingdom, and the Criterion Collection DVD came with a cute postcard.
6. Letters or notes from friends: Getting snail mail from friends reminds you that you are loved so much!! And I feel like being able to look at that on a pinboard is just so sweet.
7. Pictures of friends or family: I’m thinking of adding this next, but I think a cute film strip would add such a nice touch.
8. Charms, enamel pins, or old jewelry: My best friends and I made matching charm bracelets together at Brooklyn Charm, but I infamously cannot put on jewelry to save my life so I never wear it. But since it’s so sentimental, I had to keep it and putting it on my pinboard is a reminder of that memory.

9. Ribbons: Leftover ribbon scraps from presents or packages is also a good touch alongside all the pieces of paper. I added in some lace ribbon from Amazon and silk ribbon from Honey Silks Co.
10. Goals or quotes: I put my pinboard right above my desk so I could have easy reference of my 2026 goals. I really do believe looking at your goals every day helps you stay on track. Goals, anything you want to achieve, inspirational quotes, affirmations, or reminders can help put you in the right headspace and stay aligned. 

I honestly could have spent all day decorating my pinboard! And I kind of feel like now I need another board to put up all the other things I will collect. But for now, it feels full in the best way possible. 

I hope this inspires you to create a space for the things you love. A little museum of your memories, where you’ve been, and where you’re going. That’s the art of the moodboard.