8 Best-Selling Home Decorating Books Millions Love
Trusted picks from experts including Martha Stewart Living and Publisher's Weekly highlight these best-selling Home Decorating Books with proven appeal.
There's something special about books that both critics and crowds love, especially when it comes to home decorating. Millions of readers have turned to these best-selling titles to find inspiration and practical advice for creating spaces that truly feel like home. In an era where personalizing your living space matters more than ever, these books offer proven strategies that have stood the test of time and taste.
Martha Stewart Living, a respected authority in home and lifestyle, champions Amber Lewis's Made for Living for its dreamy, comfortable interiors that radiate California-cool style. Similarly, The Independent and Publisher's Weekly praise The Interior Design Handbook by Frida Ramstedt for its straightforward, easy approach to design principles that anyone can apply. These recommendations come from experts whose insights have helped shape the way millions approach home decorating.
While these popular books provide proven frameworks, readers seeking content tailored to their specific Home Decorating needs might consider creating a personalized Home Decorating book that combines these validated approaches with your unique style and goals. This way, you can build a home environment that’s both inspired and uniquely yours.
Recommended by Martha Stewart Living
“Made for Living invites you into dreamy homes that are light, bright, and—key these days—comfortable.”
by Amber Lewis, Cat Chen··You?
by Amber Lewis, Cat Chen··You?
Amber Lewis's decades of experience as a renowned interior designer shape this book into a practical guide on layering and blending décor elements to create spaces that feel authentically lived-in. You learn how to balance patterns, textures, and materials—from selecting paint shades to mixing stone finishes—to achieve that elusive 'just right' vibe that’s neither too new nor too old. With over 250 photographs showcasing her signature California-cool style, this book offers specific insights into making your home comfortable and stylish without following trends blindly. If you want to cultivate a home that reflects your personality and withstands changing tastes, this book offers a thoughtful approach tailored to you.
by Barbara Mayer·You?
by Barbara Mayer·You?
Barbara Mayer's extensive experience in home decor shines through in this classic guide that explores timeless decorating principles. Unlike modern books that emphasize trends, this work offers foundational insights into creating harmonious living spaces, focusing on color coordination, furniture arrangement, and fabric selection. You learn how to balance aesthetics with comfort, making spaces both beautiful and livable. If you're passionate about understanding the roots of home decoration or seeking a solid base to inform your style choices, this book provides a thoughtful framework without overwhelming you with fleeting fashions.
by TailoredRead AI·
This tailored book explores the art of combining textures and patterns to create inviting, cozy home interiors. It examines how layering different materials and designs can transform a space, focusing on your specific tastes and background. By blending reader-validated knowledge with your unique preferences, the book reveals how to balance visual interest and comfort effectively. This personalized guide delves into the nuances of texture contrast, pattern harmony, and tactile variety, offering insights that resonate with your decorating goals. It encourages experimentation within a framework that matches your style, helping you craft spaces that feel both dynamic and welcoming.
What started as Shea McGee’s personal mission to make high-end design accessible has blossomed into a guidebook that demystifies creating a stylish home without intimidation. Drawing from her vast experience designing hundreds of homes through Studio McGee and her Netflix series Dream Home Makeover, Shea walks you through each room with practical insights—from crafting inviting entryways to functional yet beautiful utility spaces. She breaks down design principles into approachable steps, enriched by her own projects and stories that illustrate how to balance elegance with comfort. If you want to elevate your living space while keeping it welcoming, this book offers tangible ideas and inspiration that resonate beyond just aesthetics.
by Joanna Gaines··You?
by Joanna Gaines··You?
Joanna Gaines challenges the conventional wisdom that home decorating should follow strict trends by encouraging you to create spaces that truly reflect your personality and story. Drawing from her own farmhouse and a variety of other homes, she guides you through assessing your instincts and preferences, then blending styles to craft inviting, authentic environments. The book offers detailed room-by-room insights and includes a removable design template to help you plan and sketch your ideas. If you want a hands-on approach that balances personal expression with practical design, this book can help you create a home you'll never want to leave.
Recommended by The Independent
“[A] useful and easy approach to interior design.”
by Frida Ramstedt, Mia Olofsson··You?
by Frida Ramstedt, Mia Olofsson··You?
What started as Frida Ramstedt's mission to teach fundamental design principles rather than trendy décor choices became a go-to guide for anyone looking to understand the "why" behind interior aesthetics. You learn specifics like how to apply the golden ratio to furniture placement, the ideal coffee table size relative to your sofa, and the best height for hanging lighting fixtures. The book offers practical visuals and explains how to use mood boards effectively to harmonize your space. If you're someone who wants to move beyond guesswork and create a balanced, personalized home environment, this handbook will help you do just that.
This tailored book explores a step-by-step approach to refreshing your home spaces quickly and effectively. It covers essential decorating principles while focusing on your interests and goals, providing tailored guidance that matches your background and style preferences. By integrating popular, reader-validated techniques with your personal tastes, it creates a uniquely relevant learning experience that reveals how to transform rooms with fast, practical steps. The book examines methods for efficient styling, space arrangement, and color coordination, enabling you to develop your decorating skills through a personalized lens. This tailored guide empowers you to make impactful changes to your home environment with confidence and creativity.
by Athena Calderone··You?
by Athena Calderone··You?
While working as a lifestyle curator and design expert, Athena Calderone noticed how deeply personal and varied interior decorating can be. In Live Beautiful, she unpacks the stories behind creative individuals' homes, showing you how to combine layered textures, personalized collections, and curated vignettes to make a space distinctly yours. The book offers practical insights into design principles and resources, illustrated with stunning photography and detailed examples from Calderone's own residences. If you want to move beyond generic decor advice and learn how to thoughtfully craft a home that reflects your unique style, this book will guide you precisely.
by Nikki Boyd, Paige Tate & Co.··You?
by Nikki Boyd, Paige Tate & Co.··You?
What started as a personal passion for Nikki Boyd evolved into a distinctive approach to home organization that combines function with style. In this guide, she distills her experience as a professional organizer into five clear steps to help you transform every room into a calm, inviting space. You'll find practical guidance on decluttering alongside inspiring interior design ideas, supported by beautiful photography that illustrates how organization enhances both aesthetics and daily living. This book suits anyone looking to create a welcoming atmosphere that fosters meaningful family moments without sacrificing elegance.
by Charles L. Eastlake·You?
by Charles L. Eastlake·You?
Charles L. Eastlake's decades of architectural and design experience culminate in this detailed exploration of Victorian interior aesthetics. Rather than merely cataloging styles, Eastlake digs into the reasons behind choices in furnishings, color schemes, and decorative objects, offering insights into what constituted taste and efficiency in the 19th century. You’ll find practical examples such as how to combine carpeting with wallpaper or select proper cupboards, supported by over 100 illustrations that clarify his recommendations. This book suits anyone fascinated by historical design principles or looking to replicate authentic Victorian interiors with accuracy and style.
Proven Home Decorating Methods, Personalized ✨
Access popular decorating strategies tailored to your unique style and space needs.
Trusted by thousands of home decorators worldwide
Conclusion
This curated collection of eight best-selling home decorating books reveals a few clear themes: layering textures and balancing comfort with style (Made for Living), grounding your work in timeless principles (The Complete Book of Home Decorating), and embracing personal expression without sacrificing function (Homebody). These books offer frameworks that many readers have found reliable and inspiring.
If you prefer proven methods, start with foundational guides like The Complete Book of Home Decorating and The Interior Design Handbook to understand key principles. For validated approaches that blend style with organization, Beautifully Organized and Live Beautiful provide actionable ideas. Alternatively, you can create a personalized Home Decorating book to combine proven methods with your unique needs.
These widely-adopted approaches have helped many readers succeed in crafting homes that feel authentic, stylish, and inviting. Whether you're a beginner or looking to refine your space, these books offer a doorway into decorating with confidence and vision.
Frequently Asked Questions
I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?
Start with The Interior Design Handbook for a practical, easy-to-follow foundation in design principles. It breaks down key concepts that will help you understand how to style your space confidently before moving on to more specialized books.
Are these books too advanced for someone new to Home Decorating?
Not at all. Books like Homebody and The Complete Book of Home Decorating are great for beginners, offering clear guidance without assuming prior experience. They focus on approachable, timeless decorating fundamentals.
What's the best order to read these books?
Begin with foundational guides such as The Complete Book of Home Decorating and The Interior Design Handbook. Next, explore personal style and organization with Homebody and Beautifully Organized. Finally, dive into creative inspiration with Live Beautiful and Made for Living.
Should I start with the newest book or a classic?
Both have value. Classics like Hints on Household Taste offer timeless design wisdom, while newer books like The Art of Home provide fresh, approachable perspectives. Choose based on your interest in historical styles or contemporary approaches.
Can I skip around or do I need to read them cover to cover?
You can definitely skip around. Many of these books are structured to allow readers to focus on chapters or sections that interest them most, making it easy to find relevant advice regardless of reading order.
How can I get decorating advice tailored specifically to my style and home?
While these expert books offer valuable insights, personalized content can complement them perfectly. You might consider creating a personalized Home Decorating book that combines proven methods with your unique preferences and space, giving you a custom guide that fits your needs.
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