8 Beginner Decorating Books That Build Your Confidence

Grace Bonney, founder of Design*Sponge, and other experts recommend these accessible Decorating books for newcomers eager to learn.

Grace Bonney
Updated on June 25, 2025
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The beautiful thing about Decorating is that anyone can begin with the right guidance—and these 8 books provide just that. Whether you’re looking to add handcrafted touches, master color, or rearrange your space thoughtfully, starting with approachable resources helps you build skills without feeling overwhelmed. Today’s decorating landscape welcomes newcomers with open arms, and these titles reflect that spirit, making style accessible one project at a time.

Grace Bonney, founder of Design*Sponge and Good Company Magazine, knows firsthand how vital a welcoming start is. She highlights Orlando Soria’s Get It Together! as a book that made home styling feel both fun and doable. Alongside Grace, creators like Natalie Ranae and Colin King bring decades of practical experience, each translating their expertise into clear, beginner-friendly steps. Their insights turn decorating from a daunting task into an inviting creative journey.

While these beginner-friendly books provide excellent foundations, readers seeking content tailored to their specific learning pace and goals might consider creating a personalized Decorating book that meets them exactly where they are. This option offers a customized path, fitting your unique style and experience to help you progress confidently.

Best for first-time home decorators
Grace Bonney, founder of Design*Sponge and Good Company Magazine, offers a strong nod to Orlando Soria’s book for those just stepping into home decorating. Known for her deep influence in the design community, she highlights this title as a standout newcomer-friendly guide, praising its blend of humor and practical advice. Bonney’s endorsement reflects how the book helped her appreciate approachable style solutions without feeling overwhelmed, making it a smart pick if you’re looking to start decorating with confidence. As she puts it, "This guy. Check out Orlando Soria’s new book + this week's Best of the Web right here:"
GB

Recommended by Grace Bonney

Founder, Design*Sponge and Good Company Magazine

This guy. Check out Orlando Soria’s new book + this week's Best of the Web right here: (from X)

The methods Orlando Soria developed while navigating the world of interior design and media shine through his approachable guide that combines humor with practical tips. You’ll learn how to tackle everyday decorating dilemmas, from hanging art like a pro to creating stylish yet affordable flower arrangements, all while blending life advice that feels genuine rather than preachy. The chapters on "Homme Life" and DIY projects offer insights especially tailored to those who might feel intimidated by traditional design jargon or overwhelmed by expensive trends. If you want a book that lightens the mood while helping you build confidence in your home’s look, this is a good fit.

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Best for beginners in macrame decor
Booklist, a trusted book review publication, highlights this guide for its appeal to both newcomers and those enchanted by boho style. They note how "Macrame is back, and this guide walks readers through several patterns sure to please those seeking classic motifs and new enthusiasts eager to embrace a boho aesthetic alike." This recommendation underscores the book’s approachable nature and clear instructions, which make it a go-to for anyone starting their macrame journey or looking to refresh their decorating style.

Recommended by Booklist

Macrame is back, and this guide walks readers through several patterns sure to please those seeking classic motifs and new enthusiasts eager to embrace a boho aesthetic alike.

What sets this book apart is its clear pathway for first-time learners eager to explore macrame without feeling overwhelmed. Created by Shufunotomo Co., Ltd., a respected Japanese publisher known for nurturing creative hobbies, it carefully breaks down the four basic knots and guides you through 20 projects—from cozy wall hangings to elegant room dividers. You'll find step-by-step photos and detailed diagrams that remove guesswork, making it simple to measure and execute each design. If you're someone who wants to add a personal, handcrafted touch to your home decor with approachable projects, this book offers just the right balance of inspiration and instruction.

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Best for custom learning pace
This custom AI book on home decorating is created based on your background, skill level, and style preferences. It focuses on your pace and specific goals, making it easier to start decorating without overwhelm. Tailoring the content to your comfort helps build confidence while covering essential decorating concepts. This approach ensures the learning experience matches what you want to achieve in your home decor journey.
2025·50-300 pages·Decorating, Home Decorating, Basic Principles, Color Selection, Furniture Arrangement

This personalized book embarks on a decorating journey tailored to your unique style and pace, focusing on your interests and background. It explores foundational concepts to build confidence without overwhelming you, gently guiding you through essential decorating principles. The tailored content addresses your specific goals, allowing you to progress comfortably while mastering the art of stylish home decor. You will discover how to select colors, arrange furnishings, and add personal touches that reflect your individuality. Each chapter unfolds at a pace suited to your experience level, making the learning process both accessible and engaging.

Tailored Guide
Comfort-Focused Learning
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for learning home styling basics
Colin King has crafted this book drawing from his role as a stylist for renowned design magazines like Architectural Digest and his collaborations with brands such as West Elm and Anthropologie. His approachable style translates professional design insights into practical guidance, helping you see your home with fresh eyes and style your spaces confidently. This book reflects his dedication to making interior styling inviting and accessible for beginners and enthusiasts alike.
Arranging Things book cover

by Colin King, Sam Cochran··You?

2023·240 pages·Interior Decoration, Interior Decorating, Decorating, Styling Techniques, Color Theory

Colin King's extensive experience styling for top design magazines and luxury brands informs this inviting guide to home styling, making complex design principles accessible for newcomers. You learn to transform your living space not by buying new items but by arranging existing pieces thoughtfully, focusing on balance, color, texture, and personal touches. The book offers practical chapters on seasonal styling and DIY projects, enriched with 180 photographs and personal anecdotes that illustrate how to develop your own eye for composition. If you're starting out or looking to refresh your approach to decorating, this book provides a grounded, approachable path without overwhelming you with jargon or excessive theory.

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Best for crafting boho-style home accents
Natalie Ranae is a renowned macramé artist and teacher celebrated for making complex techniques accessible to beginners. Her passion for crafting and years of experience culminate in this book, where she guides you through creating stunning macramé pieces that add boho-chic charm to any room. Her approachable style and clear instructions make this an inviting starting point for anyone looking to personalize their home with handmade art.

Natalie Ranae's deep experience as a macramé artist and teacher shines through in this approachable guide designed to demystify crafting for beginners. You’ll learn essential knotting techniques and how to transform simple cords into stylish plant hangers, wall art, and even pillows with clear, detailed instructions and photos. Each of the twenty projects comes with variations, encouraging you to experiment creatively while building your skills. This book suits anyone eager to add a personal boho-chic touch to their living spaces without feeling overwhelmed by complex patterns or jargon.

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Best for DIY color-focused decorators
Rachel Mae Smith’s "Hello Color: 25 Bright Ideas for DIY Decor" invites you into a world where vibrant colors and simple crafts transform your living space. Perfect for newcomers, this book breaks down decorating into manageable projects like geometric pillows and candle holders, making hands-on creativity accessible. With additional tips on styling accessories and even photography, it’s designed to help you add personality and brightness to your home without fuss or overwhelm. If you’re starting your decorating journey, this book offers a welcoming, colorful roadmap to make your space uniquely yours.
2018·176 pages·Decorating, Interior Decorating, DIY Projects, Color Theory, Home Styling

What started as Rachel Mae Smith's passion for capturing color and joy in everyday spaces evolved into a guide tailor-made for beginners eager to brighten their homes. You’ll find 25 approachable projects like Dip-Dyed Napkins and Pom-Pom Votive Candle Holders, each designed to teach you hands-on decorating skills without overwhelming complexity. Beyond crafting, the book offers tips on styling bookcases or creating bar carts that infuse personality into your space. If you’re new to DIY decor and want straightforward ideas that combine creativity with practicality, this book fits perfectly, especially if you appreciate a splash of bold color and simple, stylish solutions.

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Best for gradual confidence building
This personalized AI book about decorating basics is created specifically for you based on your background, style preferences, and goals. By focusing on your unique tastes and skill level, the book guides you through essential concepts like color and style at a pace that feels comfortable. Using AI to tailor the content means you get a learning experience designed to build your confidence gradually, removing the usual overwhelm beginners face. It’s like having a decorating tutor who understands exactly where you want to grow.
2025·50-300 pages·Decorating, Decorating Basics, Color Theory, Style Fundamentals, Space Planning

This tailored book explores core decorating concepts customized to your unique tastes and learning pace. It covers foundational principles of color and style, helping you build confidence through a personalized introduction to essential decorating basics. By focusing on your specific interests and background, it removes overwhelm and presents content at a comfortable level, making the process engaging and accessible. The book reveals how to combine colors, textures, and styles thoughtfully, creating spaces that truly reflect your personality. This personalized approach ensures you gain a deeper understanding of decorating that matches your goals and evolves with your growing skills.

Tailored Guide
Personalized Style Insights
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for painted decor enthusiasts
Graham Rust is an accomplished painter and muralist known for his distinctive vision and expertise in decorative arts. He has authored several acclaimed books, including 'The Painted House', where he realized his dream of muraling an entire mansion. Rust's work is celebrated for its creativity and practical application, making him a respected figure in the field of decorative design. In this book, he expands his vision by presenting a broad range of ideas suitable for beginners eager to personalize their homes through painted interiors and objects.
183 pages·Decorating, Decorative Design, Interior Decoration, Furniture Painting, Mural Art

What happens when a seasoned muralist channels decades of hands-on experience into a guide for painted interiors and objects? Graham Rust offers over one hundred imaginative designs that span from grand murals to delicate personal items like monograms and cocktail trays. You’ll learn how decorative painting can transform everything from furniture to entire rooms, with examples ranging from practical cupboards to whimsical chinoiserie dog kennels. This book suits anyone interested in enhancing living spaces with painted art, especially newcomers eager to explore decorative design without feeling overwhelmed by technical jargon or complexity.

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Best for festive papercraft beginners
Making Christmas Bright with Papercrafts offers a welcoming entry point for newcomers eager to explore holiday decorating through papercraft. The authors provide a rich variety of projects accompanied by detailed photos and templates, making it easy for you to follow along and create charming decorations and gifts. Whether you're looking to craft origami wreaths, snowflakes, or personalized gift accents, this book guides you through each step with clear instructions and helpful tips. It’s an inviting resource tailored to help beginners embrace the joy of handmade holiday décor.
Making Christmas Bright with Papercrafts: More Than 40 Festive Projects! (Dover Crafts: Origami & Papercrafts) book cover

by Alice Hornecke, Dominik Meißner, Sabine Seyffert·You?

2020·112 pages·Papercraft, Decorating, Origami, Holiday Crafts, Gift Wrapping

What started as a desire to bring personal warmth to holiday celebrations became a detailed guide for crafting enthusiasts through this collection of festive papercraft projects. Alice Hornecke, Dominik Meißner, and Sabine Seyffert provide you with clear, photo-supported instructions to create over 40 unique decorations and gifts, from origami wreaths to delicate snowflakes and Advent calendars. You're invited to explore hands-on techniques for making tree ornaments, table accessories, and gift accents, with helpful tips and exact measurements to ease your crafting journey. This book suits anyone keen on adding a handmade touch to Christmas, especially if you appreciate detailed visuals and approachable projects that don't require prior experience.

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Best for furniture upcycling novices
Robyn Clemens Ed.S is an experienced educator and DIY enthusiast specializing in furniture upcycling. She has a passion for teaching beginners how to transform their homes with chalk paint. This background shapes the book’s clear, beginner-friendly approach, making it an inviting starting point for anyone curious about decorating with hand-painted furniture.
2017·40 pages·Decorating, Furniture, Upcycling, Chalk Painting, Home Decor

What started as a passion for teaching beginners how to breathe new life into old furniture became a concise, approachable guide in "Chalk Painting 101." Robyn Clemens Ed.S, an educator with hands-on DIY expertise, breaks down the intimidating process of upcycling with chalk paint into 10 manageable steps. You’ll learn not only how to prepare surfaces and choose colors but also how to achieve that effortlessly stylish, collected-over-time look without expensive materials. This book suits anyone wanting to personalize their space through creative projects, especially if you’re new to furniture painting and crave clear, photo-supported instructions that make the craft accessible.

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Beginner Decorating Made Simple

Build your confidence with personalized decorating guidance without overwhelm.

Personalized learning plan
Step-by-step projects
Expert style tips

Many successful decorators began with these foundational skills.

Decorating Starter Blueprint
Color & Style Toolkit
Creative Space Formula
Confidence in Decor Code

Conclusion

These 8 books together offer a rich palette for anyone starting their decorating adventure. If you’re completely new, diving into Get It Together! or Decorative Macrame can spark your confidence with practical, straightforward projects. For those who want to develop a thoughtful eye, Arranging Things and Hello Color provide step-by-step guidance to make your space truly your own.

For a festive twist or focused skills, Making Christmas Bright with Papercrafts and Chalk Painting 101 invite you into specific, manageable crafts that brighten your home and your spirit. Progressively moving through these resources builds not only skill but also personal style.

Alternatively, you can create a personalized Decorating book that fits your exact needs, interests, and goals to create your own personalized learning journey. Remember, building a strong foundation early sets you up for success in making your home a place you love.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?

Start with Get It Together! by Orlando Soria. Grace Bonney recommends it for beginners because it blends humor with practical tips, making home decorating approachable and fun without overwhelming you.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to Decorating?

No, every book in this list is selected for beginners. For example, Decorative Macrame offers clear step-by-step instructions perfect for first-timers exploring fiber arts and home decor.

What's the best order to read these books?

Begin with broad guides like Get It Together! or Arranging Things to build foundational skills. Then explore specialized books like Hello Color or Chalk Painting 101 for focused projects and techniques.

Should I start with the newest book or a classic?

Focus on beginner-friendly content rather than publication date. Recent books like Arranging Things offer fresh perspectives, while classics provide timeless techniques. Both can be valuable depending on your interests.

Do I really need any background knowledge before starting?

No background is needed. These books assume no prior experience and guide you gently through decorating basics, making it easy to build confidence as you learn.

Can I get a decorating guide tailored to my specific style and goals?

Yes! While these expert books provide solid foundations, you can create a personalized Decorating book tailored to your background, interests, and pace for a more customized learning experience. Check out this option here to get started.

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