Top 10 Best Books on Interior Decorating for Any Style

Interior Decorating Books: An Overview

Top 10 Best Books on Interior Decorating for Any Style, Interior decorating books are a treasure trove for anybody who enjoys creating beautiful spaces. Some provide foundational knowledge concerning home design, while others offer creative ideas, practical advice, and everything in between, from turning your four walls into a personality-filled home. It can be a stepping stone to create something out of the box, whether you are a novice who needs a push or you already know the designing tools, these books can ignite the spark to create something unique.

What Are the Benefits of Reading Books on Interior Decorating?

Interior design books have you niche down further into the craft of design. Unlike an online tutorial or social media, a book will often provide a thorough framework — everything from a history of design to step-by-step processes. They’re ideal for anyone looking to learn design principles as well as color psychology and furniture and decor coordination.

Who These Books Are For?

Whether you’re redecorating a single room or conceptualizing a whole home renovation, interior decorating books speak to readers across the spectrum. From aspiring designers and homeowners to renters and D.I.Y. enthusiasts, these resources offer something for everyone. And they make terrific gifts for the home improvement enthusiast in your life.

Classic Books on Interior Decorating

1. The Decoration of Houses by Edith Wharton and Ogden Codman Jr.

• Author: Edith Wharton and Ogden Codman Jr.
• Price: Paperback: $39.95; eBook: $39.95
• Description: The Decoration of Houses (1897) by Edith Wharton and Ogden Codman Jr. is a groundbreaking work in interior design that critiques the ornate excesses of Victorian décor and advocates for simplicity, symmetry, and architectural harmony. This influential book emphasizes that interior decoration should align with the structure of a house, treating it as an extension of architecture rather than mere ornamentation.

2. Elements of Style: Designing a Home and a Life, by Erin Gates

• Author: Erin Gates
• Price: Hardcover: $37.50
• Description: Elements of Style: Designing a Home & a Life by Erin Gates is a New York Times bestselling book that combines practical design advice with personal anecdotes, making it both an inspiring and relatable guide to home decorating. Drawing from her ten years of experience as an interior designer and blogger, Gates provides honest insights into creating spaces that reflect your personality while embracing imperfection.

Inspirational Books for Design Enthusiasts

1. Homebody: A Guide to Creating Spaces You Never Want to Leave – Joanna Gaines

• Author: Joanna Gaines
• Price: Hardcover – $27.98 | Kindle – $28.99
• Description: Joanna Gaines, co-host of Fixer Upper, shares simple and practical tips to help you design a cozy, welcoming home. She guides you through different styles, room layouts, and personal touches to make your space feel truly yours. Packed with beautiful photos and easy-to-follow advice, Homebody is perfect for anyone who loves farmhouse and rustic designs.

2. The Perfectly Imperfect Home: How to Decorate and Live Well – Deborah Needleman

• Author: Deborah Needleman
• Price: Hardcover – $21.79 | Used copies from $3.16
• Description: Love the charm of imperfection? This book is for you! Deborah Needleman, co-founder of Domino magazine, shares simple and practical tips to create a stylish, comfortable home. With beautiful watercolor illustrations, she covers everything from lighting to personal décor touches that make a space feel warm and inviting.

Modern Home Reference Guides

1. Made for Living: Collected Interiors for All Sorts of Styles by Amber Lewis

• Author: Amber Lewis
• Price: Hardcover – $20.00; Kindle Edition – $8.99
• Description: Amber Lewis, renowned for her effortlessly chic interiors, shares her laid-back vibe and practical advice in this book. She guides readers on creating cohesive homes that reflect personal style, emphasizing layering textures and mixing patterns—particularly beneficial for modern design enthusiasts. The book offers friendly advice on selecting paint shades, combining patterns, and choosing stone finishes for countertops, helping you design a home that’s both stylish and livable.

2. Styled: Secrets for Arranging Rooms, from Tabletops to Bookshelves by Emily Henderson

• Author: Emily Henderson
• Price: Hardcover – $33.00; Kindle Edition – $11.99
• Description: In Styled, Emily Henderson, a renowned interior designer and HGTV host, offers practical advice on styling your home. She provides ten easy steps to transform any space, from editing out what you don’t love to arranging eye-catching vignettes on any surface. The book includes over 1,000 unique ideas from 75 beautifully styled rooms, helping you create a home that reflects your personal style.

Books Specializing In Certain Design Styles

1. Dorothea Gundtoft, “New Nordic Design”

• Author: Dorothea Gundtoft
• Price: Hardcover – $33.00; Kindle Edition – $11.99
• Description: New Nordic Design offers an in-depth exploration of contemporary Nordic design, featuring profiles of fifty influential interior and product designers. The book delves into the minimalist aesthetic and innovative approaches that define the region’s design scene. Interviews with designers and international commentators provide insights into the philosophies and inspirations behind their work. This comprehensive guide serves as both an informative resource and a source of inspiration for design enthusiasts.

2. Living in Morocco: Design from Casablanca to Marrakesh by Barbara & René Stoeltie

• Authors: Barbara & René Stoeltie
• Price: Paperback – $90.95; Hardcover – $130.00
• Description: Living in Morocco offers an in-depth exploration of Moroccan interior design, showcasing the country’s rich cultural heritage and artistic traditions. The book features a curated selection of homes, highlighting elements such as intricately tiled swimming pools, lush gardens, carved wooden furniture, and jade-colored marble fountains. Through these examples, the Stoelties delve into the essence of Moroccan style, emphasizing the harmonious blend of colors, textures, and patterns that define the aesthetic. This work serves as both a visual journey and a source of inspiration for those interested in Moroccan design.

Nature Books Help With Color and Texture

1. The Color Scheme Bible by Anna Starmer

• Author: Anna Starmer
• Price: Paperback – $90.95; Hardcover – $130.00
• Description: The Color Scheme Bible is a comprehensive guide to selecting and combining colors in home interiors. Anna Starmer, a color and design specialist whose work has been featured in Elle Decoration, Marie Claire, and Vogue, offers 200 color scheme ideas to inspire and assist in creating harmonious and aesthetically pleasing spaces. The book explains how colors interact and the effects they have on a room, providing practical advice for both professionals and enthusiasts.

2. Simply Home: Cozy Living in Stylish Spaces” by Melissa Michaels

• Author: Melissa Michaels
• Price: Hardcover: $19.99
• Description: Simply Home: Cozy Living in Stylish Spaces by Melissa Michaels, creator of the award-winning blog The Inspired Room, is a 2-in-1 guide packed with over 600 practical tips for organizing and decorating your home. This book focuses on creating cozy, inviting spaces by blending colors, textures, and materials while maintaining simplicity and functionality. It offers affordable, achievable ideas to declutter, optimize space, and embrace your personal style, making it ideal for those seeking a low-effort, high-reward approach to home design. Whether you’re organizing or decorating, this resource helps transform your home into a sanctuary where comfort and beauty coexist.

Books on DIY Home Makeovers

1. The Nesting Place by Myquillyn Smith

• Author: Myquillyn Smith
• Price: Paperback: $16.99 and Hardcover: $21.99
• Description: The Nesting Place: It Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect to Be Beautiful by Myquillyn Smith is an inspiring guide for creating a home that reflects your unique style while embracing imperfection. Drawing on her experience of living in 13 homes over 18 years, Smith encourages readers to find beauty in the lived-in and loved-on aspects of their spaces.

2. Young House Love by Sherry and John Petersik

• Author: Sherry and John Petersik
• Price: Hardcover: $27.50; Kindle: $13.99
• Description: Young House Love: 243 Ways to Paint, Craft, Update & Show Your Home Some Love by Sherry and John Petersik is a New York Times bestselling book packed with 243 creative, budget-friendly DIY ideas for transforming your home. Drawing from their experience renovating homes and their popular blog, the Petersiks provide step-by-step instructions for projects like revamping thrift-store finds, customizing IKEA furniture, and creating unique decor pieces.

Books on Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Design

1. Sustainable Home by Christine Liu

• Author: Christine Liu
• Price: Hardcover: $19.99
• Description: Sustainable Home: Practical Projects, Tips and Advice for Maintaining a More Eco-Friendly Household by Christine Liu is an inspiring and practical guide to creating a more environmentally friendly lifestyle. This book takes readers on a room-by-room journey through their homes—living room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, and even outdoors—offering tips, tricks, and 18 step-by-step projects to help reduce their ecological footprint.

2. Designing Perfect Green Homes by Chelsea Adams

• Author: Chelsea Adams
• Price: Hardcover: $13.99
• Description: An eco-friendly home positively impacts your budget, health, and happiness. Upgrading to properly insulated windows and energy-efficient appliances can save you hundreds annually. Plus, reducing exposure to harmful chemicals creates a healthier environment for you and your family.

Aesthetic Inspiration / Coffee Table Books

1. Design*Sponge at Home by Grace Bonney

• Author: Grace Bonney
• Price: Hardcover: $35.00

Description: Design*Sponge at Home by Grace Bonney, the creator of the popular Design* Sponge blog, is a comprehensive guide to home décor and DIY projects. Dubbed the “home décor bible,” this book features:

• Home Tours: 70 real-life interiors from artists and designers, showcasing unique and personal styles.
• DIY Projects: 50 step-by-step projects with detailed instructions to personalize your space.
• Before & After Makeovers: Transformations of furniture and rooms submitted by readers, complete with cost, time, and difficulty levels.
• DIY Basics: Tutorials on painting furniture, hanging wallpaper, upholstery, and more.
• Flower Arranging Tips: 20 modern arrangements with essential guidelines.

2. Beautiful: All-American Decorating and Timeless Style by Mark D. Sikes

• Author: Mark D. Sikes
• Price: Hardcover: $37.00
• Description: Beautiful: All-American Decorating and Timeless Style by Mark D. Sikes is a New York Times bestselling book that celebrates the essence of classic American design with a modern twist. Known for his casually chic and unfussy style, Sikes draws inspiration from California indoor/outdoor living, natural fibers, and his background in fashion.

Conclusion

Why You Should Find Your Style

Interior decorating is an intensely personal pursuit. These books offer no shortage of ideas and techniques, but the secret to a home that feels truly good, and beautiful, is to reflect you and your sensibilities. Whether your taste runs to streamlined minimalism, rustic warmth or eclectic bohemian sensibility, these resources can help you discover and polish your individual style.

Final Recommendations

From old-school tomes such as The Decoration of Houses to contemporary manuals such as Made for Living, there’s a book here for just about every taste and level of expertise. Whether you’re an aspiring designer, a DIY devotee, or just someone looking for inspiration, these books will embolden you to create spaces you’ll love for years to come.

FAQs

1. What are some good, beginner-friendly interior decorating books?

For newcomers, books such as Elements of Style by Erin Gates and Styled by Emily Henderson are perfect. You study concepts easily comprehensible so much so that even a child can follow.

2. Are there specific books about small spaces?

Yes! The Perfectly Imperfect Home, by Deborah Needleman, and Simply Home, by Melissa Michaels, will suggest ways to make small spaces work without sacrificing comfort and style.

3. What is the best book for reading about colors schemes?

This visually stimulating book from Anna Stammer, the author of The Color Scheme Bible, is an excellent guide for anyone who wants to learn more about color coordination. It offers palettes and combinations for every design aesthetic.

4. Can books like these do the work of a professional designer?

Although these books provide valuable advice and inspiration, they cannot fully substitute for the expertise of a professional designer for complex projects. I’m sure, though, that they can assist you in cultivating your vision and attacking smaller projects with confidence.

5. How do you determine what is the right book for you?

Identify what your goals are first. So are you interested in styling tips, do it yourself projects or learn more about specific design styles? Find the focus and choose a book that matches your interests and skills.