10 of the Best Interior Design Books I’m Loving Right Now | Wit & Delight

I’ve been thinking a lot about what makes a design book more than just pretty to look at, but actually useful. Don’t get me wrong, I love a beautiful coffee table book as much as anyone. But the best interior design books that I go back to again and again are the ones that help me. think Except for my house. Things that put into words what I see (or don’t see yet), things that help me solve problems I’m stuck on, things that make me want to move the lamp across the room to see what happens.

This list combines the best interior design books, including those based on basic principles and those focused on personal expression. This type of expression exists outside of specific styles and normal conversations about comfort and function. Some of these are technical enough to help you learn design vocabulary (which is more useful than you might think), while others are more focused on developing your eye and trusting what you notice. I chose them because each one changed something about how I view and interact with home.

I think you’ll love it too.

Read the 10 best interior design books I’m loving right now.

1. Essentials: The Art of Interior Design Written by Caitlin Fleming and Julie Goebel

I love this book because it starts with how to sharpen your eyes. If you want to see how rooms come together, this is perfect.

2. sacred space Written by Carly Summers

Carly is one of the voices I really value in the online space. She embodies the meaning of homemaking: fusing beauty, meaning, story, and place into something whole. This book makes you feel like you’re traveling the world with her in search of a kindred spirit. So she asks questions that we often ignore when tackling home projects. It reminds us that our stories are told not just through the words we write, but through the spaces we create.

3. sing in every room Written by Beata Human

Human’s approach is all about individuality and joy. It sounds simple, but it’s actually quite radical considering that a lot of design advice is about creating a “timeless” or “classic” home. This book gave me permission to trust my instincts about color and pattern, and reminded me that home should be a place where you can feel fully yourself. In some cases, it may look completely different than anything you’ve seen before.

4. golden light Written by Todd Nickey and Amy Kehoe

Interior design firm Nikki Kehoe creates spaces that transcend style. Their work unfolds on a completely different level, where personality takes center stage and the rooms feel more like they’ve revealed themselves than designed. It’s a wonderful performance that never feels forced. This book is about interior design as an art form.

5. house portrait Written by Krista Schrock and David John Dick

What I appreciate about this book is that it treats houses as living portraits of the people who live there. It’s not about achieving a certain look, it’s about understanding what your choices reveal and whether those choices still feel true. It has made me more conscious about what stays and what goes, and why.

6. Let’s start with art By Natalie Papier and Stephanie Sisco

The premise of this book is simple. Use art as a starting point and build a room around it. But what makes this book so valuable is that it completely reconstructs the decorating process. Instead of worrying about getting everything “right,” you follow what already speaks to you. This is a confidence-building reframing that takes some of the pressure off.

7. Timeless style elements Written by Erin Gates

This book is based on fundamental, lasting style and packed with tips for execution. Gates cover all the elements that create a space that can be used for a long time. The use of high-quality materials, appropriate scale, and classic color combinations are important, but that doesn’t mean you need to strip your home of personality. It strikes a balance between practicality and aspiration. I love how personal stories are woven throughout.

8. unusual kitchen Written by Sophie Donelson

This book celebrates rule-breaking in the kitchen, and honestly, I needed it. I was so caught up in the idea of ​​how a kitchen “should” be that I had no idea what my kitchen would look like. The examples I shared here aren’t necessarily what I want for my home, but they opened up possibilities I hadn’t thought of and reminded me that even the most functional room can express something.

9. new design rules Written by Emily Henderson

This book is very helpful in teaching design terminology and technical elements so you can speak the language of design. Henderson breaks down concepts like visual weight, color theory, and layout in an accessible and immediately applicable way. When you understand what you’re considering, you can make better decisions about what to change and what to leave alone.

10. interior design handbook Written by Frieda Ramstedt

This is also a basic book that covers everything from furniture placement to lighting and space planning. What makes this book stand out is that the content is very clearly written. Ramstedt does not assume the reader knows anything about the material and explains concepts in a straightforward manner that makes them feel competent rather than overwhelmed. This is a book I would like to give to people who have never thought about design before but want to start.

Editor’s note: This article contains affiliate links. Wit & Delight uses affiliate links as a revenue stream to fund our business operations and reduce our reliance on branded content. Wit & Delight stands behind all product recommendations. Still have questions about these links or the process? Feel free to email us.