18 Home Decorating Books That Separate Experts from Amateurs
Curated by Joanna Gaines, Bobby Berk, and Gurdeep Pandher Of The Yukon to guide your decorating journey
Updated on June 26, 2025·We may earn commissions for purchases made via this page
3 of 18 books have Audiobook versions
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What if the secret to transforming your home isn’t just about following fleeting trends but understanding the deeper principles that make spaces truly feel like yours? Home decorating isn’t simply about furniture and color palettes—it’s a reflection of personality, lifestyle, and comfort. In a world where style often feels overwhelming, knowing which books to trust can save you from costly mistakes and creative paralysis.
Experts like Joanna Gaines, the Magnolia Network star known for blending rustic charm with modern warmth, and Bobby Berk, Netflix’s Queer Eye design guru celebrated for his functional yet stylish transformations, have lent their voices to guide you. Even Gurdeep Pandher Of The Yukon, famed for his joyful positivity, recognizes the importance of creating spaces that support your presence, especially in our evolving work-from-home lives. Their endorsements spotlight books that combine aesthetic beauty with practical wisdom.
While these expert-curated books provide proven frameworks, readers seeking content tailored to their specific home size, style preferences, or renovation experience might consider creating a personalized Home Decorating book that builds on these insights. This approach helps bridge expert knowledge with your unique vision, accelerating your journey to a space that truly feels like home.
Joanna Gaines, author of The Magnolia Table, whose expertise in home renovation and design is widely respected, praises Emily Henderson’s fearless yet functional approach to decorating. She highlights how this book offers tools and resources to create a home that truly reflects your personality and preferences, making it accessible for anyone seeking to express themselves through their space. Joanna’s endorsement underscores the book’s role in helping you take risks without regret. Similarly, Bobby Berk, design expert and Emmy-nominated host of Netflix’s Queer Eye, finds this book a beautifully crafted, clear guide that helps both amateurs and pros make informed and stylish design decisions with confidence.
“I’ve always been drawn to Emily’s approach to design. She’s not afraid to take risks and she has the ability to design beautiful spaces that are full of both personality and function. This book serves as an approachable guide for anyone who is looking for tools and resources to create a home that speaks to who they are and what they love.”
Emily Henderson, Jessica Cumberbatch Anderson, Sara Ligorria-Tramp, Velinda Hellen(you?)·
About the Author
Emily Henderson is a stylist, interior designer, TV host, and founder of Emily Henderson Design. She has always had a strong commitment to vintage-inspired and approachable home style that works for every single person. A Target Home Style Expert, Emily’s work has been featured widely, including in The New York Times, People, InStyle, House Beautiful, and domino. She lives on a mini farm outside of Portland, Oregon, with her husband, son, and daughter.
Unlike most home decorating books that focus primarily on aesthetics, Emily Henderson and her co-authors dive deep into the entire renovation journey, blending design creativity with practical decision-making. You’ll explore detailed guidance on everything from choosing paint colors and arranging furniture to navigating when and whom to hire—contractors, architects, or handypersons. The book’s rich visuals and real-home examples help you grasp measurements and materials, like when to skip marble countertops. This is a resource for anyone wanting to confidently translate their personal style into a functional, inviting space without second-guessing their choices.
The Independent, a respected UK national newspaper, highlights this book as "[A] useful and easy approach to interior design." Their endorsement reflects the book’s clear, principle-driven guidance, which helped clarify design concepts that can otherwise seem overwhelming. This perspective aligns with expert voices like Publisher's Weekly, which praises it as "A first-rate way to ensure decorating success." Together, these recommendations underscore the book’s practical value for anyone wanting to improve their living space with confidence and insight.
Frida Ramstedt is a renowned interior design expert known for her practical approach to home styling. With a popular blog and a significant following in Scandinavia, she has coached many on creating harmonious living spaces. Her insights focus on understanding design principles rather than merely following trends, making her a trusted voice in the field.
The Interior Design Handbook by Frida Ramstedt and Mia Olofsson offers a fresh perspective by emphasizing the principles behind interior design rather than just the decorative elements. Ramstedt, with her background coaching a Scandinavian generation on home styling, explains concepts like the golden ratio, optimal furniture sizing, and lighting placement in clear, illustrated chapters. You’ll learn why certain layouts feel balanced and how to apply these rules to any style or space. This book is ideal if you want to understand the 'why' behind good design instead of just copying trends, making it especially useful for homeowners and aspiring decorators who value thoughtful, harmonious environments.
This AI-created book on home decorating is crafted based on your style preferences, experience, and specific goals. By sharing your background and the decorating topics you want to focus on, you receive a book that addresses your exact needs. This tailored approach means you get clear guidance that fits your unique space and tastes instead of generic advice. It’s like having expert knowledge seamlessly aligned with your personal vision.
TailoredRead AI creates personalized nonfiction books that adapt to your unique background, goals, and interests. Instead of reading generic content, you get a custom book written specifically for your profession, experience level, and learning objectives. Whether you're a beginner looking for fundamentals or an expert seeking advanced insights, TailoredRead crafts a book that speaks directly to you. Learn more.
This personalized book on home decorating explores the art and science of creating living spaces that truly reflect your unique style and needs. It covers essential design elements, color theory, furniture arrangement, lighting, and material choices, all tailored to your background and preferences. By focusing on your interests and specific goals, it reveals how to harmonize aesthetics with functionality in a way that feels authentic and comfortable. The book examines diverse decorating styles and practical tips for adapting expert knowledge to your home's size and layout. With this tailored approach, you gain a clear, inspiring pathway to transform any space into your ideal haven.
Veranda, a respected authority in interior design, highlights this book's significance in reimagining traditional rooms with a youthful, colorful flair. Their endorsement comes from extensive editorial experience, where they've tracked design trends and recognized Jenkins's unique approach. They note, "Corey Damen Jenkins's masterful book has remained at the top of our editors' reading lists since its debut in 2021," underscoring its lasting impact and practical inspiration for both professionals and enthusiasts looking to refresh classic styles.
“Corey Damen Jenkins's masterful book has remained at the top of our editors' reading lists since its debut in 2021. The brilliant tome showcases the designer's fresh and colorful take on traditional design while sharing Jenkins's advice on how to emulate the youthful look for yourself.”
Corey Damen Jenkins is the principal and chief executive officer of Corey Damen Jenkins & Associates, an internationally acclaimed interior design and architecture firm based in New York City. Celebrated for its deft approach to layering sophisticated colors, textures, and patterns to create timeless and iconic spaces, CDJA has been inducted into Architectural Digest’s AD100, ELLE Décor’s A-List, and the 1st Dibs 50, and Corey has become a heralded instructor on the elite MasterClass platform. Corey began his career in interior design in 1996 and founded his own firm in 2008. He has become an influential voice in the world of design due to his compositions of spaces that are authentic, bespoke, and distinctive. With the haute couture fashion runway, historic architecture, and world travels as his chief sources of inspiration, Corey creates tailored spaces that meet the ever-changing needs of his clients. Whether it’s a modern ranch in the mountains of Carmel, a sprawling estate on the Chesapeake Bay waterfront, or an upscale maximalist apartment overlooking Central Park, Corey’s ethos is governed by design democracy and ensuring his clients’ personalities and lifestyles are showcased first and foremost. CDJA is multi-disciplinary in its mission. While designing residential and hospitality projects throughout the United States and beyond is its primary focus, the team has also produced expansive licensed product collections for Kravet, Hancock & Moore, and Maitland-Smith. The firm’s design work has garnered multiple front covers of House Beautiful and Traditional Home Magazine and has received extensive features in renowned publications including Architectural Digest, ELLE Décor, Veranda, House & Garden, Vanity Fair, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Detroit News. Corey possesses a deep passion for educating others about design and architecture, and in addition to mentoring students at the New York School of Interior Design and Parsons. As an instructor with MasterClass, Corey’s curriculum, Corey Damen Jenkins Teaches Interior Design, has been viewed by millions worldwide and was featured on Delta Airlines’ Delta Studio In-Flight Entertainment platform. Corey dedicates a substantial amount of time advocating for charitable endeavors and community-based work, and currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club. In 2019 and 2021, his firm was invited to design the “Ladies Library” and formal Dining Room for the prestigious Kips Bay Decorator Showhouses in New York and Dallas, respectively. Through his firm, he has also provided funding for scholarship and mentorship programs with the New York School of Interior Design. An avid writer and illustrator, Corey’s best-selling coffee table book, Design Remix: A New Spin on Traditional Rooms (Rizzoli), was released in March 2021 and has since entered its sixth reprint. His second coffee table book, Design Reimagined: A Fresh and Colorful Take on Timeless Rooms will be on shelves September 9th, 2025.
Corey Damen Jenkins's decades of experience as an internationally recognized interior designer led him to craft this fresh take on traditional interiors. You learn how to infuse classic rooms with bold color, architectural details, and fashion-inspired accessories, with chapters like "Bold Standard" and "Haute House" guiding your choices. Practical sidebars cover essentials such as hanging salon-style picture walls and choosing window treatments, making it accessible whether you're a seasoned decorator or exploring traditional style anew. If you appreciate vibrant, youthful traditionalism and want to create spaces that feel both timeless and lively, this book offers a clear pathway without fuss or fluff.
Veranda, a respected authority in luxury home design, highlights Jake Arnold's unique ability to fuse English sensibility with California's relaxed vibe. They emphasize how Arnold's signature style, showcased in nine carefully curated homes, offers a fresh take on comfort and elegance. "British designer Jake Arnold has made a name for himself in the States with his signature style that mixes English sensibility with the relaxed California lifestyle," they note, underscoring how this book reshaped their appreciation for modern minimalism balanced with warmth.
“British designer Jake Arnold has made a name for himself in the States with his signature style that mixes English sensibility with the relaxed California lifestyle. In his first book, Arnold gives an inside look into his own design philosophy, taking readers into nine homes that blend elegance and chic minimalism.”
Jake Arnold is a British interior designer, principal of his eponymous interior design firm, and co-founder of the online interiors platform The Expert. His work has been featured in Elle Decor, Vogue, Better Homes and Gardens, and Architectural Digest, which named him among the AD100 best designers for 2022.
Jake Arnold brings a fresh perspective to home interiors by blending his British background with the laid-back luxury of California living. His book dives deeply into nine diverse projects, each illustrating his philosophy of comfort through a warm minimalism that feels both elegant and inviting. You’ll explore how Arnold uses tactile materials, thoughtful layouts, and subtle details to create spaces that are serene yet sophisticated—like the seaside Florida estate where natural textures meet refined design. This book suits anyone looking to understand how personal values shape modern interior design rather than just focusing on trends.
Martha Stewart Living, a respected authority in home and lifestyle, highlights this book as an invitation into interiors that prioritize comfort alongside style. Their endorsement reflects a deep understanding of what makes a house a welcoming home, particularly in times when comfort is paramount. "Made for Living invites you into dreamy homes that are light, bright, and—key these days—comfortable," they note, underscoring Amber Lewis's skill in blending aesthetic appeal with everyday livability. This perspective encourages you to rethink your space as both beautiful and genuinely inhabitable.
Amber Lewis is a seasoned interior designer and multi-hyphenate in the interiors and décor space. Grounded in a signature West Coast aesthetic that she describes as “laid back” and “understated cool,” Amber is first and foremost the founder of a full-service design firm, Amber Interiors, touting clients across the country. Amber is also founder of Shoppe Amber Interiors, the brick-and-mortar retail shop that brings the effortless and timeless feeling of her interiors to a shoppable setting. Amber’s eclectic design approach and affinity for found objects is now available to everyone at her four California locations in Calabasas, Pacific Palisades, Newport Beach, Marin, as well as an online Shoppe. In recent years, she has expanded her business into a successful, multi-year furniture and décor collaboration with Anthropologie, multi-year rug and textiles collaboration with Loloi, multi-year lighting line with Visual Comfort, and most recently published a best-selling interior design book, Made for Living.
Unlike most home decorating books that focus primarily on aesthetics, Amber Lewis draws from her extensive experience as founder of Amber Interiors to emphasize livability and layering in design. You learn how to combine textures, patterns, and lighting to create spaces that feel authentic and comfortable rather than merely styled. For example, she guides you through choosing paint shades and mixing countertops to match your lifestyle, not just trends. This approach suits anyone wanting a home that reflects their personality and stands the test of time, especially those inspired by a laid-back California vibe.
This AI-created book on home styling is crafted based on your personal decorating background, skill level, and the specific type of room refresh you want to achieve. By sharing your goals and style preferences, you receive a tailored guide focused on practical and rapid improvements that fit your pace. Unlike general decorating books, this custom book targets the exact steps you need to transform your space effectively within 30 days, making your styling journey more enjoyable and efficient.
TailoredRead AI creates personalized nonfiction books that adapt to your unique background, goals, and interests. Instead of reading generic content, you get a custom book written specifically for your profession, experience level, and learning objectives. Whether you're a beginner looking for fundamentals or an expert seeking advanced insights, TailoredRead crafts a book that speaks directly to you. Learn more.
This tailored book explores a step-by-step plan designed to help you rapidly refresh your home decor with clear, actionable guidance. It covers essential concepts like space evaluation, color selection, furniture arrangement, and decor layering, all tailored to your unique background and style preferences. By focusing on your specific goals and interests, this personalized guide reveals how to efficiently transform rooms within 30 days, balancing aesthetic appeal and functional improvements. It embraces a practical but creative approach, making the process accessible and engaging, no matter your experience level.
The book examines quick yet impactful techniques for styling, organization, and ambiance enhancement, ensuring each chapter matches your desired pace and vision. This tailored experience makes refreshing your living space both achievable and inspiring, moving beyond generic advice to address what truly matters to you.
Gurdeep Pandher Of The Yukon, known for spreading joy and hope through dance and positivity, highlights how the pandemic pushed many to rethink their virtual presence. He notes that the team behind Room Rater has been invaluable in offering practical guidance for creating vibrant virtual spaces. "Since the beginning of the pandemic, my friends at @ratemyskyperoom have been a great source of providing tips how to create a vibrant space for virtual media interviews. Now they wrote a book with all their amazing tips 'How to Zoom Your Room'." This book helped him appreciate the subtle art of background styling for video calls. Additionally, Room Rater themselves celebrate the release, sharing enthusiasm for how their unique perspective has translated into a book format that fans can now explore in depth.
“Since the beginning of the pandemic, my friends at @ratemyskyperoom have been a great source of providing tips how to create a vibrant space for virtual media interviews. Now they wrote a book with all their amazing tips "How to Zoom Your Room".” (from X)
Claude Taylor has worked as a professional travel photographer and a political operative. He served on Bill Clinton’s White House staff. From 1998 to 2016 he also worked as a gallery owner. For the last several years he has served as Chair of a political action committee, Mad Dog Pac. He currently resides in Maryland.
What started as a witty Twitter account critiquing Zoom backgrounds turned into a practical guide by Claude Taylor, Jessie Bahrey, and Chris Morris, who bring a fresh perspective to home office aesthetics. You’ll learn how to optimize lighting, frame your camera angle, and curate backgrounds that project professionalism without fuss. The book walks you through examples from political figures and media personalities, revealing how subtle choices affect perception during video calls. If you spend hours in remote meetings and want your space to support rather than distract from your presence, this book offers straightforward insights with a bit of humor.
Publisher's Weekly, a leading voice in the book industry, highlights this title as "a solid resource that offers something for everyone with an interest in the art of knotting." Their endorsement carries weight for anyone serious about home decorating crafts. This recommendation underscores how the book’s clear instructions and varied projects can inspire creativity and confidence in both beginners and seasoned crafters alike.
Samantha Grenier is a color engineer (illustrator) and macramé artist from New Hampshire. She integrates texture, simple shapes, and kisses of color to design visual impact. Macramé knotted its way into her heart during her decade-long career as a Graphic Designer in the craft industry. She finds inspiration for her art and designs by wandering through museums and nature. Her favorite sources include seashells, root vegetables, leaves, and fashion. Macramé for Home Décor is her third “knotty” title.
When Samantha Grenier realized how accessible and versatile macramé could be, she crafted this guide to bring modern, stylish knotting projects into your home. You’ll learn the 12 essential knots foundational to the craft and explore 40 projects ranging from simple coasters to intricate wall hangings and rugs, each illustrated with clear step-by-step photos. Grenier’s background as a color engineer and graphic designer shines through in her thoughtful use of texture and color, making this book ideal if you want to blend craft with contemporary home decor. Whether you’re just starting or eager to challenge yourself with advanced patterns, this book offers a tangible way to enhance your living space with handcrafted artistry.
Martha Stewart Living, a respected authority in home design and lifestyle, highlights how Lauren Liess transforms spaces with warmth and energy. Their endorsement comes from witnessing Liess's work firsthand, particularly her renovation of a Washington, D.C. arts-and-crafts home into a vibrant family residence. They note, "In her new book, Down to Earth: Laid Back Interiors for Modern Living, designer Lauren Liess shares how she imbues any space with warmth and energy." This book reshaped their understanding of relaxed, approachable interiors that still carry strong personal style.
“In her new book, Down to Earth: Laid Back Interiors for Modern Living, designer Lauren Liess shares how she imbues any space with warmth and energy. She walks us through an arts-and-crafts charmer in Washington, D.C., that she renovated into an action-packed family home”
Lauren Liess is a decorator, textile and furniture designer, and founder of the popular design blog Pure Style Home. She and her husband now star in the new HGTV show Best House on the Block, which features the design, renovation, and decorating of clients’ homes. Liess lives in Virginia.
Lauren Liess, a decorator and textile designer who also stars on HGTV's Best House on the Block, offers a fresh perspective on creating inviting, natural living spaces in this book. You get a close look at her design philosophy that prioritizes warmth, simplicity, and nature, illustrated through six distinct homes ranging from a new farmhouse to a lakeside contemporary. Chapters like "Point of View" and "Something Old, Something New" provide tangible insights into blending style with soul, showing you how to use humble materials and found objects to craft spaces that feel both timeless and approachable. If you're seeking to build a home environment that balances creativity with calm, this guide offers thoughtful inspiration without overwhelming you with trends.
Nikki Boyd, a professional organizer and founder of athomewithnikki.com, brings years of hands-on experience to this book. She transformed a personal passion into a thriving business and online presence, sharing straightforward ways to bring order and beauty into homes worldwide. Her expertise shines through as she distills organizing into five practical steps, illustrated with inspiring photography that makes the process approachable and visually engaging.
Nikki Boyd is a professional organizer and founder of athomewithnikki.com where she helps bring beautiful order in homes around the world with her business, blog and YouTube channel. What began as a hobby is now a successful home organizing business, a popular blog, and YouTube channel, with thousands of readers coming to her site for creative and straightforward ways to beautifully organize their homes. She lives in Charleston, South Carolina with her husband and two puppies.
Nikki Boyd's experience as a professional organizer and content creator forms the backbone of this guide to creating an orderly and stylish home environment. You learn her five essential steps that simplify the process of decluttering and organizing each room, accompanied by inspiring photography that blends function with aesthetic appeal. This book is tailored for those who want more than just tidiness—they seek a welcoming atmosphere where design and practical living intersect. Whether you're refreshing your living room or tackling a full home makeover, the guidance here helps you balance beauty and utility without overwhelming complexity.
Selected Best Coffee Table Book by Stylecaster
Featured in New York Times and Real Simple magazine
Misha de Potestad, a journalist and stylist with forty years covering interior design for French Elle and Elle Decor, brings deep expertise to this volume. Her extensive experience informs the book’s rich exploration of vintage industrial design, tracing its origins and highlighting influential designers who shaped the look. This background ensures readers receive not just beautiful photography but a well-contextualized understanding of how machine age design has become a cornerstone of modern interiors.
Drawing from decades of experience reporting on interior design, Misha de Potestad and Patrice Pascal explore the roots of the vintage industrial aesthetic, focusing on the period from 1900 to 1950. You learn how this style emerged from the second industrial revolution, shaping furniture and lighting design through functional, mass-produced forms tailored to new industries. The book breaks down key innovations in lighting, seating, tables, and storage, illustrating how designers like Bernard-Albin Gras and Jean Prouvé transformed raw materials into everyday objects with lasting impact. If you're passionate about understanding the historical and practical evolution of industrial design and its influence on modern interiors, this book offers a detailed, visually rich guide.
Arianna Huffington, co-founder of The Huffington Post and an influential voice on wellbeing, highlights the deep connection between your living space and your mental health. She shares that Michelle Ogundehin’s book helped her rethink how to design a home that encourages rest and presence, quoting, "we must recognize that to stop is to succeed; and we must arrange our homes in such a way as to make this easy for us." This perspective shifted her approach to home decor from mere aesthetics to a deliberate tool for happiness and health.
“In an excerpt from @MOgundehin's book, Happy Inside, she writes, "we must recognize that to stop is to succeed; and we must arrange our homes in such a way as to make this easy for us."” (from X)
Michelle Ogundehin is a trained architect, former Editor-in-Chief of ELLE Decoration UK, and a contributor to publications including The Financial Times and Dezeen. She is also the lead judge on the BBC Two/Netflix landmark series Interior Design Masters.
Michelle Ogundehin, with her background as a trained architect and former Editor-in-Chief of ELLE Decoration UK, brings a unique perspective to the intersection of home design and wellbeing in this book. She explores how your living space influences your mental and physical health, offering nine practical steps to transform any home into a sanctuary that supports your best self. From optimizing natural light and choosing the right furniture to understanding why tidiness isn’t always synonymous with happiness, Ogundehin provides tactile insights, such as the importance of circular side tables for playfulness and the dining table’s role in connection. This book is especially useful if you want to create a healthier, more joyful home environment regardless of size or budget.
Grace Bonney, founder of Design*Sponge and a respected voice in home decorating, highlights Orlando Soria’s book with genuine enthusiasm. Known for curating stylish, approachable design content, Grace points out how Soria’s blend of humor and practical advice stands out in a crowded field. She encourages exploring his insights, especially for those looking to make decorating feel attainable and fun. Grace’s endorsement signals the book’s value for anyone eager to bring personality and ease into their living spaces.
Orlando Soria is an interior designer, writer, and media personality who lives in Los Angeles. He got his start on HGTV as Emily Henderson‘s on-camera assistant on the home makeover series 'Secrets From A Stylist.' After working with Emily Henderson he started his own interior design firm, Hommemade Design. He is best known for his blog Hommemaker and his popular Instagram account. Orlando has been a staple of the design industry for years, appearing in TV series on OWN and many other networks. His first book, 'Get It Together!' was released in April 2018.
Orlando Soria brings a fresh, humorous perspective to interior decorating with this book, blending design know-how with life lessons that feel surprisingly relatable. Drawing on his experience from HGTV and his popular Hommemaker blog, he tackles everything from choosing wall colors that don’t overwhelm to crafting budget-friendly flower arrangements. The book doesn’t just teach you to decorate—it offers guidance on hosting under pressure and managing life challenges, making it a toolkit for anyone wanting to create a welcoming home and a balanced life. If you appreciate candid, witty advice that goes beyond style basics, this book will resonate with your practical and creative sides alike.
Myquillyn Smith, also known as 'The Nester,' is the New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Welcome Home and Cozy Minimalist Home. With 15 years of experience encouraging women to embrace their spaces as they are, she brings a warm, practical approach to decorating that values imperfection and personal expression. Her expertise and approachable style make this book a helpful guide for anyone wanting to make their home more inviting and authentic.
Myquillyn Smith, also known as 'The Nester,' is the New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Welcome Home and Cozy Minimalist Home. For the past 15 years, she has been encouraging women to embrace their space--imperfections and all--and make it their own. Her home in North Carolina has been featured in Better Homes & Gardens, Ladies' Home Journal, and Cottages & Bungalows. She's never met a home she didn't love. Find her online at TheNester.com and on Instagram @TheNester.
Myquillyn Smith, known as 'The Nester,' brings her 15 years of experience encouraging personal expression in home spaces to this book, which distills decorating into 100 practical truths adaptable to any style or budget. You learn to understand your emotional relationship with your home, gain confidence in making choices that feel daring, and achieve satisfaction from small, manageable improvements that add up to meaningful change. Chapters guide you to work with what you have, trust your instincts, and complete projects to create rooms that truly feel like your own. This book suits anyone looking to refresh their home with intentional, approachable insights rather than expensive overhauls.
Myquillyn Smith, widely known as the Nester, brings her hands-on experience of renovating a North Carolina fixer-upper and raising a family to this inviting guide. As a New York Times bestselling author of multiple home decorating books, she draws on years of practical knowledge to help you embrace a cozy minimalist approach to seasonal decorating and hosting. Smith’s warm, approachable style makes it easy to envision a home that feels fresh and welcoming all year round, no matter your budget or style expertise.
Myquillyn Smith (the Nester) has never met a home she didn't love. She and her husband and their three boys have been fixing up their North Carolina fixer-upper for the past seven years, and her favorite place on earth is floating in the pool in her own back yard. She's the New York Times bestselling author of The Nesting Place, Cozy Minimalist Home, and Welcome Home.
Unlike most decorating books that push constant accumulation, Myquillyn Smith presents a fresh perspective on seasonal home styling that emphasizes simplicity and intentionality. Drawing on her experience transforming a North Carolina fixer-upper, she guides you through crafting cozy, stylish spaces using fewer items but more meaningful touches. You learn how to align your decor with the rhythms of life and the natural world, cultivating environments that welcome connection without overwhelming effort or expense. Chapters offer practical ideas for hosting and seasonal refreshes that feel personal rather than trendy, making this a solid choice if you want a home that feels lived-in and welcoming year-round.
Marian Parsons is a pastor's wife and mother who turned her passion for paint and decorating into Mustard Seed Interiors, an international brand. Starting from a one-woman mural business and blog in 2008, she developed a wealth of practical decorating advice and tutorials. Her book draws on this rich background, empowering you to transform your home on a budget with approachable projects and inspiring ideas tailored to your unique style.
Marian Parsons is a pastor's wife, mother of two boys, paint enthusiast, and lover of all things home. She started Mustard Seed Interiors in 2008, as a way to earn extra money for groceries. What started out as a one-woman decorative painting and mural business evolved into an antiques business that tripped into a blog and blossomed into a successful international brand. Miss Mustard Seed first published on a blog on a whim in 2009. Marian wanted to advertise her fledgling business, but also wanted to connect with like-minded readers and other DIY/Home bloggers. The decision was made early on to turn her blog into a valuable resource, filled with tutorials, practical advice, encouragement and a dose of reality. Some of the blog series cover making slipcovers, painting furniture, before & after inspiration, and decorating tips & tricks. While the focus has been on the home, the heart of this blog has always been providing encouragement and inspiration to women in the areas of decorating, homemaking, and creative endeavors.
After analyzing years of hands-on experience, Marian Parsons shares a refreshing approach to home decorating that embraces the quirks of your existing space. You learn to transform builder-grade rooms into warm, character-rich environments through approachable projects like slipcover making, furniture painting, and budget-conscious styling tips. The book guides you room by room, offering practical tutorials and inspiring visuals, along with spaces to jot down your own ideas, helping you create a home that truly fits your personality without overspending. If you want to move beyond cookie-cutter interiors and craft a uniquely comfortable home, this book offers straightforward encouragement and creative solutions to get you there.
Bre Doucette is a home decor expert and author who shares her passion through her blog, Rooms for Rent. Living in an 1846 farmhouse in New England, she emphasizes making a home warm and inviting. This background informs her approachable guidance in the book, encouraging you to see your home as a gift and transform it into a place filled with beauty and purpose.
Bre Doucette is a home decor expert and the author of several books. She shares her passion for decorating through her blog, Rooms for Rent, where she inspires others to create beautiful spaces. Bre lives in an 1846 farmhouse in New England with her family and pets, and her work emphasizes the importance of making a home a warm and inviting place.
What started as a personal passion for transforming her 1846 New England farmhouse into a warm haven led Bre Doucette to craft this inviting guide to home decorating. You’ll discover how to shift your perspective on your living spaces, turning imperfections into opportunities to infuse beauty and purpose. Bre walks you through each room, offering insights on embracing your home's unique character while implementing fresh, approachable ideas. If you’re looking to cultivate a home filled with warmth and joy without feeling overwhelmed, this book offers thoughtful encouragement tailored to your journey. It’s especially suited for those ready to love where they live right now rather than chasing perfection.
Liz Marie Galvan is a blogger, interior designer, and co-owner of The Found Cottage, a vintage home decor boutique. Her expertise, showcased monthly to hundreds of thousands through LizMarieBlog.com and collaborations with brands like Magnolia Home Paint and HGTV, informs this book. Drawing from her life in an 1800s farmhouse, she offers practical and charming ideas for making your home welcoming all year long, blending style with heartfelt moments and accessible DIY projects.
Liz Marie Galvan is a blogger, interior designer, and co-owner of the vintage home decor boutique The Found Cottage. Each month, hundreds of thousands of readers find design inspiration and DIY ideas at LizMarieBlog.com. Liz and her veteran husband, Jose, live in an 1800s farmhouse in Michigan with their dogs, cats, sheep, and rams. Liz has been featured on the Today Show, in Better Homes and Gardens and Country Living and has collaborated with Behr, Magnolia Home Paint, Kilz, Home Depot, TJ Maxx/HomeGoods, Home Depot, GMC, and HGTV.
Liz Marie Galvan’s experience as a blogger and interior designer shines through in this book, which offers 100 practical ways to make your home inviting throughout the year. You’ll find detailed guidance on crafting seasonal decorations, repurposing furniture, and creating cozy spots that suit a range of styles from vintage to farmhouse. The book doesn’t just focus on aesthetics but also helps you build meaningful traditions and organize your space to enjoy holidays and everyday moments alike. Whether you’re hosting a summer gathering or preparing for Christmas, this book provides down-to-earth projects and inspiration tailored to varied budgets and tastes.
Ali Heath is a UK-based interiors journalist, stylist, and creative consultant with over 17 years' experience contributing to top magazines like Elle Decoration and Country Living. Her expertise in mixing antique and contemporary pieces shines through in this book, which encourages you to develop a personal style that honors both past and present. Heath’s storytelling and visual approach make this a practical guide for anyone seeking to create a home rich with character and sustainable choices.
Ali Heath is a UK-based interiors journalist, stylist, creative consultant and author with over 17 years freelance experience, working with prestigious interior magazines, newspapers and private clients. Her work is featured regularly in many titles including Country Living, Elle Decoration, Homes and Gardens, and House & Garden. Ali collaborates with leading photographers and her work is represented internationally by Living Inside agency in Milan. Her first bestselling book, Curate, was published in 2020, and she is also Contributing Editor for The Art of Living with White. Ali has a passion for mixing old and new and is renowned for storytelling in her written and visual work.
Ali Heath challenges the conventional wisdom that modern interiors must reject antiques by showing how to harmoniously blend old and new elements. Drawing on her extensive career as an interiors journalist and stylist, she guides you through defining your style and mastering key decorating elements like pattern, texture, and lighting. The book’s standout chapters, such as "Creative Spaces," showcase homes of antique dealers, offering concrete examples of mixing vintage finds with contemporary pieces. If you’re looking to create a home that respects history while embracing modernity and sustainability, this thoughtful approach will resonate with you.
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Conclusion
These 18 books reveal clear themes: blend personal style with practical design, embrace comfort alongside beauty, and approach decorating as a journey rather than a checklist. If you’re tackling a full renovation, The New Design Rules combined with Design Remix offer foundational strategies and modern flair. For those looking to add warmth and personal touches, Made for Living and Jake Arnold provide inspiring examples.
If organizing and functionality are your priorities, Beautifully Organized offers a stylish path to order. Meanwhile, How to Zoom Your Room addresses the new realities of virtual presence, a must-read for today's remote workers. For budget-conscious decorators, House Rules and Feels Like Home bring approachable, joyful solutions.
Alternatively, you can create a personalized Home Decorating book to bridge the gap between general principles and your specific situation. These books can help you accelerate your learning journey and craft a home that resonates with your life and aspirations.
Frequently Asked Questions
I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?
Start with "The Interior Design Handbook" to grasp foundational principles, then explore "The New Design Rules" for practical renovation guidance. These offer a clear, confident path into home decorating without overload.
Are these books too advanced for someone new to home decorating?
Not at all. Books like "House Rules" and "Get It Together!" are approachable and practical, perfect for beginners eager to build confidence and create inviting spaces step by step.
What's the best order to read these books?
Begin with principle-focused titles like "The Interior Design Handbook," then move to style-specific books such as "Design Remix" or "Made for Living." Finish with specialized topics like organizing or seasonal decor.
Do I really need to read all of these, or can I just pick one?
You can pick based on your interest. For example, choose "How to Zoom Your Room" for work-from-home setups or "Macrame for Home Decor" if you're into crafting. Each book offers unique value.
Which books focus more on theory vs. practical application?
"The Interior Design Handbook" leans into design theory, explaining principles behind good decorating. In contrast, "Get It Together!" and "House Rules" offer hands-on, actionable advice you can apply immediately.
Can personalized books complement these expert recommendations?
Yes! Personalized books build on expert insights by tailoring advice to your space, style, and goals. They help translate broad principles into actionable steps unique to you. Try creating your custom Home Decorating book for a focused approach.
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