Using Mood Boards with ArchRender

Mood boards can dramatically improve results in ArchRender when they are used correctly.

ArchRender includes a Mood Board upload option in the Settings panel, allowing you to attach a single mood board image to guide materials, colors, and overall style. This feature is designed to influence the look and feel of your render without changing the underlying architecture.

This guide explains how to use mood boards effectively and the most common mistake to avoid.

What a Mood Board Is and Is Not

A proper mood board is a curated collection of individual design elements, not a finished house.

A strong mood board may include:

• Exterior materials such as siding, stone, or brick

• Roofing textures

• Window styles or finishes

• Doors and hardware

• Exterior lighting fixtures

• Hardscape materials

• Landscaping references

• Color and tonal inspiration

Each item should represent a component, not an entire architectural design.

What a Mood Board Is Not

Uploading a photo of another home is not a mood board.

A single finished house image:

• Locks in architecture, proportions, and massing that do not match your design

• Forces the AI to guess which elements matter

• Often results in unintended style or structural changes

If your goal is to guide materials and atmosphere rather than copy an existing house, a full home photo works against you.

Why Whole House Photos Cause Problems

When a complete house image is uploaded as a mood board, ArchRender cannot determine:

• Which elements you want to reference

• What should be applied to your design

• What should be ignored

Is it the siding, the roof color, the windows, or the landscaping?

Because everything is bundled together, the result is often:

• Architectural drift

• Inconsistent materials

• Changes to massing or proportions

Mood boards eliminate this ambiguity by separating inspiration from structure.

What Makes an Effective Mood Board

The most effective mood boards share a few key qualities:

• Isolated elements on neutral backgrounds

• A limited and cohesive palette

• Materials shown at an appropriate scale

• No competing architectural forms

A mood board defines the design language, not the building itself.

How to Use the Mood Board Feature in ArchRender

In the Settings panel, upload your mood board image using the Mood Board option.

For best results:

• Pair the mood board with a clean elevation or massing model

• Use Render Mode for early design visualization

• Write prompts that explain how the mood board should influence the render

Example prompt language:

• Use the uploaded mood board for exterior materials and lighting style

• Apply the stone, siding, and window tone from the mood board

• Follow the mood board for color palette and exterior finishes

The mood board provides visual reference. The prompt provides direction.

Best Practices

• Do upload curated material and style references

• Do not upload photos of complete houses

• Keep architecture and inspiration separate

• Let your design define form and the mood board define feel

When used correctly, the Mood Board feature helps ArchRender produce results that feel intentional, cohesive, and custom.