I’ve been thinking a lot about what makes a design book truly useful versus just looking good. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good coffee table book as much as anyone. But the best interior design books I keep coming back to are the ones that help me think with my house differently. The ones that give me language for what I’m seeing (or haven’t seen), that help me face a problem I’ve been holding on to, or that make me want to move the light across the room to see what’s going on.
This list is a mix of the best interior design books, some based on basic principles and others more about individualism. This kind of talk is something that exists outside of any particular style or general discussions about comfort and performance. Some of these are technical enough to teach you design vocabulary (which is more useful than you might think), while others are about developing your eye and trusting what you see. I chose them because they changed something in the way I see and interact with my home.
I think you will like them too.
Read on for the 10 best interior design books I’m loving right now.
1. Major: The Art of Interior Design by Caitlin Flemming and Julie Goebel
I like this book because it starts with how to sharpen your eye. If you wanted to learn how rooms fit together, this one is for you.
2. Sacred Spaces by Carley Summers
Carley is one of the voices on our internet space that I truly appreciate. He brings together what it means to build a home—combining beauty, meaning, story, and space into a whole. This book feels like traveling with him around the world in search of kindred spirits, where he asks the questions we often ask when working on our home projects. It reminds us that our stories can be told through the spaces we create, not just the words we write.
3. Every Room Must Sing by Beata Heuman
Heuman’s approach is about humanity and happiness. It sounds simple, but it’s actually tough, as most design advice is about creating a “timeless” or “old” home. This book gave me permission to trust my instincts about color and pattern and reminded me that homes should be places where you feel your fullest. Sometimes it doesn’t look like anything you’ve seen before.
4. Golden Light by Todd Nickey and Amy Kehoe
Interior design firm Nickey Kehoe creates spaces that transcend style. Their work works on a completely different level, where personality takes the most important place, and the rooms feel like they express themselves rather than being designed. It’s professional without feeling forced. This book is as close as interior design gets to art.
5. Home Photos by Krista Schrock and David John Dick
What I enjoy about this book is the way it treats homes as living images of the people who live in them. It’s not about achieving a certain look but about understanding what your choices reveal and whether those choices still feel true. It made me more objective about what stays and what goes, and why.
6. Start with Art by Natalie Papier and Stephanie Sisco
The premise of this book is simple: Use art as your starting point and build a room around it. But what makes this book valuable is how it completely reframes the decorating process. Instead of worrying about getting everything “right,” you go after something that already speaks to you. It is a confidence-building framework that relieves stress.
7. Elements of Timeless Style by Erin Gates
This book is based on a basic, permanent style and is full of practical tips. The gates include elements that create spaces with longevity. The use of quality materials, the right scale, and classic color combinations are important, but it doesn’t mean you need to strip your house of its personality. It’s a good balance of performance and ambition. I love that personal stories are woven throughout.
8. Unusual Kitchens by Sophie Donelson
This book celebrates kitchens that break the rules, and honestly, I needed that. I was so caught up in my ideas of what a kitchen “should” be that I couldn’t see what mine could be. The examples here aren’t exactly what I’ll be looking for in my home, but they opened up possibilities I hadn’t thought of and reminded me that even the most functional rooms can express something.
9. New Design Rules by Emily Henderson
This book is really useful for teaching design terms and technical things, so that you can speak the language of design. Henderson breaks down concepts like visual mass, color theory, and composition in a way that feels accessible and works quickly. Once you understand what you’re looking at, you can make better decisions about what to change—and what to leave alone.
10. The Interior Design Handbook by Frida Ramstedt
This is another basic book that covers everything from furniture arrangement to lighting to space planning. What sets it apart is how clearly it’s written—Ramstedt doesn’t assume you know anything, and explains concepts in a direct way that leaves you feeling empowered rather than overwhelmed. It is a book I would recommend to someone who has never thought about designing before but wants to start.
Editor’s Note: This article contains affiliate links. Wit & Delight uses affiliate links as a source of income to fund business activities and not rely heavily on branded content. Wit & Delight supports all product recommendations. Still have questions about these links or our process? Feel free to send us an email.
Kate is the founder of Wit & Delight. He is currently learning to play tennis and is constantly testing the limits of his creative muscles. Follow her on Instagram at @witanddelight_.