How To Make Vision Boards for Your Home Renovation Projects

My husband and I are restoring my great-great-grandfather’s 1860 log cabin. It’s a massive undertaking with many possibilities. Vision boards helped me accomplish my dreams and goals in the past, so I began creating them for our home renovation projects.

Do you have home renovation projects you’re struggling to move from the idea stage into action? Inspiring vision boards can help. But first, let’s discuss what a vision board is and why you should use one.

What Is a Vision Board?

A vision board contains a collage of pictures, quotes and affirmations of dreams and goals you want to achieve. The visual aids are meant to inspire you and keep you motivated. You can create one board for a variety of things, or dedicate an entire board to one big goal — say, that kitchen or bathroom renovation you’ve been talking about.

“Vision boards help people take all of the ‘overwhelm’ they carry around in their heads and get it viscerally on paper,” says Mary Lee Gannon, an International Coach Federation certified coach and executive coach. “It helps them see futuristically, bypassing all the anxiety of ‘how’ and getting straight to the ‘what.’ “

Gannon employs vision boards to assist her clients in reaching their goals. They’re so popular even celebrities are using them.

Why Use a Vision Board for DIY Home Projects?

“Using a vision board can be a powerful tool when renovating your home,” says Ben Gold, founder of Recommended Home Buyers and a certified life coach. “By creating a visual representation of your goals, you can stay focused on what you want to achieve and attract positive energy towards your project.”

Take redesigning your living room. “You could add pictures of your ideal furniture, decorations, and color scheme to your vision board,” Gold says. “By seeing these images every day, you’ll be reminded of what you’re working toward and motivated to make it happen.

“Overall, a vision board can help you clarify your goals and manifest your desired outcome. So don’t hesitate to create one for your next home renovation project.”

How To Make a Physical Vision Board

First, gather up the following tools and supplies:

• Pen and paper;
• Printed pictures or pictures cut from printed materials;
• Scissors;
• Push pins;
• White craft glue;
• Clear adhesive tape;
• Decorative or plain sticky notes (optional);
• One 16-in, by 20-in. foam poster board or a lightweight 15.7-in. by 12-in. corkboard;
• Large picture hanging strips that can hold the weight of the board.

Now, follow these steps to create an inspiring vision board for your home renovation project:

1. Write down your home renovation project vision. What do you want your space to look like? Envision paint colors, type of flooring, counters, decor, etc. and make a list of these things.
2. Browse magazines and other printed materials, or find images online that correspond with how you want your project to turn out. Cut out or print your chosen images.
3. On sticky notes, write down positive affirmations for motivation and your completion goal date. Your affirmation could be, “My new bathroom is a beautiful oasis and it will be finished in time for Thanksgiving.”
4. Arrange the pictures and sticky notes on the board, then attach them. If you chose corkboard, attach the images with push pins. For poster board, use glue or tape.
5. Install large hanging strips on the wall where you’re hanging your vision board.
6. Hang the board in the room you want to renovate, or in a place where you will see it daily.

How to Make a Virtual Vision Board

If you prefer, create a digital home renovation project vision board. Because it’s digital, you can use online images and/or take photos of pictures on printed materials and upload them. Save your board where you’ll see it often, or print it out and hang it.

Here are some helpful digital vision board tools:

Canva: This platform offers free and paid memberships. It’s fantastic for beginners who want to easily craft a simple free vision board.

Pinterest: You may already have a Pinterest account. You can find tons of images for inspiration. And Pinterest is free.

Desygner: This graphic design platform offers free and paid membership plans. You can create your vision board and save it or print it when you’re done.

Fotor: This popular online photo editor also features a free plan if you want a basic vision board. You must opt for a paid membership to access more design and layout options.

PicMonkey: This platform offers tiered memberships starting at $7.99 a month or $72 annually. It offers a free seven-day trial before signing up so you can give it a test run.