7 Best-Selling Interior Decoration Books Millions Love

Edith Wharton and Ogden Codman Jr.'s collaboration draws from their unique backgrounds—Wharton as a novelist immersed in upper-class taste and Codman as an architect—to challenge common misconceptions about individuality in home furnishing. Rather than promoting flashy originality, they emphasize comfort and personal expression grounded in balance, proportion, and classical principles. You explore practical guidance on arranging rooms, selecting materials, and avoiding superficial ornamentation, with detailed chapters on everything from fireplace andirons to window treatments. If you want to understand how timeless design principles can help you create a comfortable and elegant home that reflects your true needs, this book offers clear, thoughtful insights.

Shea McGee brings the expertise of her Studio McGee firm and the relatable charm from her Netflix series to this guide, showing you how high-end design principles can fit any home. You'll explore detailed walkthroughs for every room—from entryways to utility rooms—paired with real project examples and personal stories that make the process approachable. For instance, her chapter on living rooms teaches balancing elegant style with comfort, making spaces inviting yet refined. If you're someone who wants to create a home that feels both elevated and genuinely welcoming, this book lays out the mindset and methods to get there without pretension.

This personalized book explores enduring design principles that shape elegant interiors, tailored specifically to match your background and goals. It examines classic concepts such as balance, proportion, and harmony, revealing how these timeless elements create spaces that feel both inviting and sophisticated. The book delves into how to combine textures, colors, and furnishings with an eye for lasting style, focusing on your interests and preferred aesthetics. By tailoring the content uniquely for you, it unlocks the secrets behind stylish interiors that resonate with millions of design enthusiasts, providing a focused and enriching learning experience that celebrates classic design wisdom adapted to your personal taste.

What started as an internship in bustling New York City ignited Joanna Gaines' passion for crafting inviting homes that tell personal stories. In "Homebody," she guides you through identifying your unique tastes and priorities, using vivid examples from her own farmhouse and diverse homes to illustrate how to blend styles authentically. The book offers room-by-room insights and a removable design template, empowering you to confidently plan and create spaces that feel genuinely yours. If you want more than just pretty pictures and are ready to connect emotionally with your home's design, this book speaks directly to that desire.

Frida Ramstedt, a Scandinavian interior design expert known for her practical insights, guides you through the principles behind creating balanced and harmonious living spaces. Instead of focusing on trendy objects, she explains why certain proportions like the golden ratio matter and offers concrete guidelines on furniture sizing and lighting placement. For example, you’ll learn the ideal coffee table size relative to a sofa and how to use mood boards effectively. This book suits anyone wanting to understand the reasoning behind good design rather than just copying styles, making it especially useful for those looking to make intentional choices in their home decoration.

Drawing from a decade of real-world experience in interior design and blogging, Erin Gates delivers a candid and richly illustrated guide that goes beyond typical decorating tips. You’ll learn how to infuse your personality into every room, whether choosing kitchen surfaces or styling a nursery, with chapters that blend practical advice and personal stories—like her kitchen renovation mishaps and family negotiations over furniture. This book suits anyone looking to design a home that feels authentically theirs, balancing style with the messiness of real life. It’s less about perfection and more about creating spaces that reflect who you are.

This tailored book explores a fast-track approach to transforming your interiors with a focus on quick, stunning results. It covers essential design principles and practical steps that match your background and interests, enabling you to revitalize spaces efficiently within 30 days. Combining widely appreciated design concepts with your unique goals, it reveals how to balance aesthetics and functionality quickly and confidently. The book offers a personalized exploration of decorating ideas, color schemes, and spatial arrangement that align with your tastes and lifestyle. By concentrating on your specific ambitions, this tailored guide invites an engaging and rewarding learning experience in interior decoration.

Drawing from his extensive knowledge of Victorian aesthetics, Charles L. Eastlake challenges the typical approach to interior design by emphasizing function alongside beauty. This book lays out detailed guidance on furnishings, decorative objects, color schemes, and textiles, offering you a clear view of what was considered tasteful and efficient in the 19th century. For example, Eastlake dedicates chapters to proper carpeting choices and wallpaper patterns, providing a rich visual and conceptual framework. If you're passionate about historical design or seeking to understand foundational principles that influenced modern interiors, this book delivers precise insights without unnecessary embellishment.

Augustus Sherrill Whiton's "Interior Design and Decoration Fourth Edition" reflects decades of expertise in the field, compiling detailed principles and practices that have influenced interior decoration for generations. You gain a comprehensive understanding of design elements, color theory, spatial planning, and materials, illustrated through thorough explanations and numerous examples spread across its extensive 699 pages. This edition serves those eager to deepen practical knowledge and refine their aesthetic judgment, whether professionals or enthusiasts. The book’s structured approach allows you to grasp foundational concepts and advanced techniques alike, making it a reliable reference for anyone serious about mastering interior decoration.