Whether you're a budding designer, a homeowner looking to revamp your space, or simply someone who appreciates the art of creating beautiful and unique spaces, diving into the world of interior design is an exciting journey.
There are many places to find inspiration and keep up with the latest trends. You can even experiment with various interior design software to test your skills. In this post, we share the 15 best books about interior design to inspire and broaden your knowledge.
What interior design is all about
Interior design is more than just aesthetically arranging furniture in a room. It's a profession that includes conceptual development, space planning, site inspections, communicating with stakeholders, construction management, and execution of the design.
Interior designers need creativity, technical knowledge, and a deep understanding of people and their lifestyles to create functional and welcoming spaces. They need to find creative design solutions for interior environments while supporting the health, safety and well-being of occupants and enhancing their life experiences.
15 Best interior design books
From the best interior design books for beginners to books for interior design pros, here is a list of our pics to inspire and learn about decor ideas and interior decorating.
Mario Buatta: Anatomy of a Decorator by Emily Evans Eerdmans
Discover the captivating world of Mario Buatta, a celebrated interior decorator whose impact transcends time. With intimate insight into his life and work, the book draws upon Buatta's extensive archives and showcases his design prowess.
From his iconic projects to the influential figures who shaped his career, this book unravels the magic of Buatta's distinctive design vocabulary and imparts invaluable decorating wisdom. With its vibrant colors, charming details, and abundance of whimsy, you will be transported into the enchanting realm of an American design legend.
The Art of Home by Shea McGee
Shea McGee, the renowned designer behind Studio McGee and Dream Home Makeover, shares her expertise in this new book. With over five million followers, Shea demonstrates how high-end design principles can be applied to any home, making it approachable and impactful.
She takes readers on a journey through every room, providing step-by-step guides and sharing personal stories to transform our lives and living spaces. The Art of Home is not only beautifully designed but also a practical resource that will make a lasting impact on your home.
Homebody: A Guide to Creating Spaces You Never Want to Leave by Joanna Gaines
Joanna Gaines' book is a comprehensive and practical guide that helps you create a home that reflects your unique style and personal story. With examples from her own farmhouse and other homes, Gaines takes you room by room, showing you how to blend different styles to create spaces that feel distinctly yours.
The book includes a removable design template for planning and sketching out your own design plans. It will give you the confidence and insight to thoughtfully create inviting spaces in your home.
Elements of Style: Designing a Home & a Life by Erin Gates
This vibrant and fully illustrated book is packed with advice, inspiration and personal stories. It will guide you in designing a home that reflects your unique personality and style. This book combines practical advice with beautiful imagery, making it a delightful read for design enthusiasts.
Organized by rooms, this is a fresh and modern decorating guide that combines glamour and practicality. With a handy resource and shopping guide, it's the perfect companion for your home decorating adventure.
Interior Design Master Class: 100 Lessons from America's Finest Designers on the Art of Decoration by Carl Dellatore
This book is an extraordinary collection of insights and expertise from top interior designers. With 100 essays covering a wide range of themes and topics, it showcases the work of established legends and rising stars in the field.
From practical considerations to inspiration and style, each essay is accompanied by stunning visuals to illustrate the design principles discussed. This book is a valuable resource full of practical tips and thought-provoking ideas.
Anatomy of Colour: The Story of Heritage Paints & Pigments by Patrick Baty
Discover the captivating story of paint and color in interior design through three centuries. From the popularity of primary colors in postwar kitchens to the clean lines and pastel shades of the Art Deco era, this comprehensive illustrated history provides answers to intriguing questions about color and paint in our interiors.
Historian and paint expert Patrick Baty traces the evolution of pigments, paint colors, and color systems and explores their impact on the palettes used from the 1650s to the 1960s. With stunning photographs showcasing rare colors and reproductions of interiors from every era, this authoritative book takes you on a visual exploration of distinctive color trends and painting styles of each period.
The Finer Things: Timeless Furniture, Textiles, and Details by Christiane Lemieux
Discover the secrets of recognizing enduring, high-quality home goods and how to use them to create stunning design effects. The book delves into the importance of quality in furniture, objects and room elements that can withstand trends and day-to-day use.
Lemieux shares insights from experts in wallpaper, paint, textiles, accessories and interior design, providing readers with invaluable knowledge on identifying timeless, heirloom-quality pieces. With hundreds of elegant home interiors, both from the past and present, this book showcases the endless possibilities for creating truly luxurious and personalized living spaces.
The Interior Design Handbook by Frida Ramstedt
This book is the ultimate guide to creating a harmonious home. It demystifies the secrets to achieving a beautiful home, offering practical advice on how to think like a designer. Ramstedt, a home styling guru, shares her insights on the principles of interior design and styling.
From understanding design trends to utilizing the golden ratio, this comprehensive handbook offers practical advice and helpful illustrations. No matter your style or location, this book will help you achieve a balanced and beautiful home.
Furniture Design by Jim Postell
Postell's book focuses on the art and practice of designing furniture. It covers the history of furniture design, materials, construction techniques, and the creative process behind designing functional and aesthetically pleasing furniture pieces.
It also includes 25 case studies showcasing a wide range of works, designers and techniques. With its generous illustrations, it offers valuable insights into furniture function, spatial organization, typological orders, structural integrity, accessibility, design process, materials, professional practice and more.
The Color Scheme Bible: Inspirational Palettes for Designing Home Interiors by Anna Starmer
The book is an invaluable resource for decorators and interior designers. With its 200 color scheme ideas and 50 recommended palettes, it offers an easy-to-use and inspiring reference on utilizing color in the home. From creating ambiance to giving the illusion of space, it explores how color interacts and affects a room.
The Interior Design Reference & Specification Book by Chris Grimley and Mimi Love
This handy reference guide covers essential aspects of interior design, materials and specifications. From the fundamentals of interior design to space composition, surface options, and creating specific moods, this book has got you covered.
It even includes interviews with top practitioners in the field. Whether you're a designer, a student, or simply looking for design advice, this book is a step-by-step guide for any interior design project.
Styled: Secrets for Arranging Rooms, from Tabletops to Bookshelves by Emily Henderson
Discover the ultimate guide to becoming a stylist. This book offers 1,000 design ideas and tips for creating beautiful and personalized rooms. Learn the secret to finding your own style confidence and how styling can transform your space.
Follow the 10 easy steps to style any room, from editing and repurposing to creating eye-catching vignettes. With insider tips and over 1,000 unique ideas, you'll soon be styling like a pro.
The Language of Interior Design by Alexa Hampton
In this book, a renowned interior designer Alexa Hampton, shares her journey and expertise. She takes readers on a tour through stunning residences showcasing 18 classic spaces that exemplify cultivated design.
From a 1912 restoration in NYC to a coastal house layered in textures and colors, Hampton demonstrates her ability to tailor each space to clients' needs while maintaining a timeless aesthetic. With valuable insights on fabric schemes and paint choices, Hampton empowers readers to master the language of design.
In the Company of Women: Inspiration and Advice from over 100 Makers, Artists, and Entrepreneurs by Grace Bonney
Discover over 100 remarkable women who have embraced their creative spirit, overcome challenges, and ignited a global entrepreneurial movement. From media moguls to ceramicists, hoteliers to tattoo artists, comedians to architects, this book is a captivating portrayal of the power of pursuing our passions and dreams.
The Perfectly Imperfect Home: How to Decorate and Live Well by Deborah Needleman
Discover how to create a relaxed, stylish and comfortable home. From classic essentials to unique surprises, Needleman explores the essential elements of style through witty and helpful essays.
Through the vibrant watercolor illustrations, the book showcases inspiring rooms of world-famous tastemakers. With styling tips and simple how-tos, learn techniques to effortlessly bring your vision to life, whether it's a beautifully made bed, an inviting reading nook, or a chic display of pictures.
Other ways to learn about interior design
Books on interior design for beginners and those looking for inspiration are great for getting into the field. You can also further your design knowledge by enrolling in online courses, attending workshops and seminars, or exploring design tradeshows.
Conclusion
Interior design is a fascinating field, full of creativity and constant change. Whether you're a professional or a hobbyist, these books on interior design will help you understand the principles of good design and inspire you to create beautiful, functional spaces. So, grab a book, get cozy, and let your design journey begin!
Thank you!