Bobby Berk swears by this traditional trick for beating designer's block – it's so simple anyone can do it
The Queer Eye host's designer-approved hack is so useful for generating ideas


Any avid design fan knows that sometimes, the ideas just won't come. You are racking your brain over the same space for hours, unable to come up with the perfect solution for crafting your dream room. When you're in that state, it feels like nothing can help. Luckily, there is an answer that interior designers and home decor experts have sworn by for years: moodboarding.
Now, even Bobby Berk, the star interior designer on Netflix's Queer Eye, announces his approval of the interior design technique.
A post shared by Bobby Berk (@bobby)
A photo posted by on
In a recent Instagram video, Bobby Berk tells the camera: 'Whenever I experience a creative design block and I don't really know where to begin I love to take a step back, literally,' he says, stepping back and revealing a wall covered in photos, paint colors, products, and inspirational quotes.
Bobby continues, that the moodboards give him a broader view of the spaces he is designing. Bobby says, 'This really helps me to kind of define the spaces I want to create and really start looking at them in the big picture instead of just the little details at the moment.'
Bobby's approval of the technique for overcoming designer's block and coming up with home decor ideas echoes experts' assertion that moodboarding is valuable for designers because it helps with being flexible and changing direction while creating.
Amy Wilson, interior designer at 247 Blinds & Curtains states: 'Moodboards give you the ability to picture what the room is going to look like and to see what works together before committing to any big, physical changes, making it a great way to make you feel more confident with interior design. Once you’ve completed your moodboard, don’t be afraid to swap out anything you are unsure of, you should feel inspired by it so remove anything that no longer feels right for you.'
She continues, 'Enjoy the process of watching your personal scheme evolve, take your time, and don’t be afraid if things stray from what you initially imagined - embrace new ideas. Your mood board should feel exciting and inspiring whilst giving you a clear idea of where to start your transformation.'
Sign up to the Homes & Gardens newsletter
Design expertise in your inbox – from inspiring decorating ideas and beautiful celebrity homes to practical gardening advice and shopping round-ups.
If Bobby Berk swears by it, it's good enough for us. Moodboarding is a simple and effective trick for getting over your designer's block. If putting a board together doesn't work, you can always look at our list of decorating ideas.

Sophie is a writer and News Editor on the Celebrity Style team at Homes & Gardens. She is fascinated by the intersection of design and popular culture and is particularly passionate about researching trends and interior history. She is an avid pop culture fan and has interviewed Martha Stewart and Hillary Duff.
In her free time, Sophie freelances on design news for Westport Magazine and Livingetc. She also has a newsletter, My Friend's Art, in which she covers music, culture, and fine art through a personal lens. Her fiction has appeared in Love & Squalor and The Isis Magazine.
Before joining Future, Sophie worked in editorial at Fig Linens and Home, a boutique luxury linens brand. She has an MSc from Oxford University and a BA in Creative Writing and Sociology from Sarah Lawrence College.
-
Stuffed peppers just got a bold upgrade with this harissa yogurt recipe
Vegetarians often have to settle for salads at barbecues. This stuffed pepper recipe has all the crunch, and makes a satisfying main course, too
-
Bug bombs 101 – what are they, how to use them, and the must-know safety measures to keep in mind
I'm a pest control expert, and this is my ultimate bug bomb guide
-
Shea McGee has just shared her top tips for an effortlessly chic yet cozy guest bedroom
Interior designer Shea McGee explains how she designs a timeless guest bedroom that's the perfect balance of cozy and chic
-
The best neutral paint colors for bathrooms that aren't white – 5 timeless shades designers always turn to
From earthy tones to soft pinks, these are designers' favorite neutral paints for bathrooms
-
Storage doesn't get more chic than this – 9 designers on how they made storage a design statement
These interior designer's projects are all brilliant examples of how to make storage more than just a place to hide things away
-
Joanna Gaines has given her Magnolia store a spring makeover – these are the 3 simple decor tips that are so easy to replicate
As spring draws near, interior designer Joanna Gaines has decorated her homeware store with farmhouse-style decor that's both elegant and uplifting
-
How to decorate a room with a high ceiling, according to interior designers
Take advantage of a high-ceilinged room with the techniques interior designers use
-
You've heard of color drenching but have you heard of stripe drenching? Here's how to bring this classic yet dramatic look into your home
We spoke with interior designers and uncovered their favorite ways to decorate with stripes in five iconic looks
-
Shea McGee uses this unpopular paint color in her home office – but color experts say it's actually the perfect shade for a calming working environment
Move over warm browns, this interior designer has chosen an unexpected cool-toned gray for her home office due to its soothing and sophisticated qualities
-
Want to know how to style a quilt to make your bed look more luxurious? Shea McGee has two simple methods
Shea uses a quilt to create a cohesive bed look that's so easy to style everyday