10 Best Interior Design Books For Beginners

While many think learning interior designing is all about its practicality, it is equally crucial to comprehend the theories to set a strong base over the long run. Interior Design is also a course that has no textbooks. In such scenarios, the one shared by veterans and thought-leaders helps us and ignite the intuitive aspect. From home decor and interior decorating to design advice, interior design books have a wide spectrum in catering to our daily dilemmas as designers.  However, many of us are unsure of where to begin. If you’re looking to grow your insights, we have prepared a concise list of the top interior design books.

List of Top 10 Interior Design Books

1. Evocative Style by Kelly Wearstler 

Kelly Wearstler's Evocative Style is one of the best interior design books for beginners that reflects her unique signature style. The book demonstrates her design ability to create environments that tell a story, pulling exquisite colours, textures, and patterns from different eras and genres. These types of interior design books for beginners can give students and young professionals the confidence of pushing the limits of design with innovation. This book is also ideal for stylists and homeowners looking for interior decorating inspiration for unique designs and design advice.

2. Inspired Design: The 100 Most Important Designers of the Past 100 Years by Jennifer Boles

Unlike other best interior design books for beginners, which focus on a single designer, one style, or even one type of method. This book helps you to learn from some of the most influential interior designers and their design journeys. The book surveys the entire history of design and begins by identifying famous names like Sister Parish, David Hicks, and Mark Hampton. The author expands further in the field and the world to bring a mix of inspirational design styles.

3. New York School of Interior Design: Home: The Foundations of Enduring Spaces by Ellen S. Fisher

Amongst the best interior design books, this book can be considered a bible. It covers everything from colour theory to space-specific concerns such as picking furniture for a living room and collaborating with architects and other specialists for the best outcomes. The narrative is especially aimed at interior design students and it offers a thorough overview of the field, covering the entire design process. 

4. The Interior Design Reference & Specification Book by Mimi Love and Chris Grimley

This one can give both experienced designers and students the essential information for planning and executing their interior design projects. One can find a wealth of design materials that they can refer to. The format is easy to use as it is to carry, all credit to its compactly composed interviews with top practitioners  of interior design with thorough charts, specifications, diagrams, and much more. 

5. Residential Interior Design: A Guide to Planning Spaces by Maureen Mitton

If you are looking for design books that are driven by statistics and guidelines, this is it. It includes CIDA standards in human-centred design and rules with a global context on topics like accessibility, universal design, visibility, sustainability, ergonomics, and organisational flow. Additionally, it also looks into construction, environmental systems, and human well-being in home design. It's also a must-have for anyone that wants to read a comprehensive guide on building laws and is studying for the NCIDQ (National Interior Design Qualifying Exam)

6. Interior Design Masterclass by Carl Dellatore

Amongst other books for interior design, this one perfectly bridges the gap between the theoretical and the practical aspects. It contains 100 essays by America's finest designers, ranging from established design legends, that examine the process of designing in detail to the finishing touches. It is one of the design books that provide insightful knowledge and unique ideas; truly a state of art in itself. What distinguishes this one from the usual interior design books is the blend of stunning images and a gripping narrative. 

7. Time-Saver Standards for Interior Design and Space Planning by DeChiara, Joseph; Panero, Julius; Zelnik.

As the name suggests, the book can give a wealth of time-saving facts, ranging from basic furniture proportions to architectural woodwork details. Contributions from well-known interior design firms have been derived from actual designs and working drawings that provide solutions for common design problems. It is one of the best interior design books that have comprehensive coverage of hospitals, educational spaces, home offices, videoconferencing areas, green design, home design, project forms, and timetables. The multiple layouts of residential, commercial, and industrial sectors can give comprehensive knowledge to a student, making this a one-stop shop for all things design. 

8. Interior Construction and Detailing by David Kent Ballast

Amongst all the books for interior design, this one includes 150 easy-to-understand ways that can help you think logically during the design development. This can help students and young professionals meet the practical requirements to achieve a workable design that is equally aesthetic. Hence, it bridges the gap between concept and construction by providing solutions for delivering equally practical design styles and concepts. The book showcases interiors that are visually beautiful, operationally superior, and most importantly eco-friendly. 

9. Interior Lighting by Malcolm Innes

The list above was more focused on design and construction,  this is one of the best interior design books for beginners that is solely based on interior lighting. From technical issues to relevant examples of top interior designers demonstrating how to achieve the perfect illumination, it gives a comprehensive guide on lighting design as per the design styles; one of the pivotal elements in interior design.   

10. History of Interior Design by John Pile

When it comes to design books for beginners, the first edition of John Pile's on interior design is ideal for students who are inquisitive in learning about the history of interior design; from antiquity to the present. This design book was awarded the 2001 ASID Educational Foundation/Joel Polsky Prize by the American Society of Interior Designers. There are about 500 pages of drawings covering the evolution of interior design that has been influenced or challenged by a variety of design styles, movements, and international political and social events. 

There's no better medium than books that can help students finesses their design skills with the correct practical and aesthetical route. Interior design books are a fine balance between the stark practicality of the profession and the lack of theory in the curriculum. In the new age, the importance of having an interior design that is on the cusp of form as well as the function has become a priority. Having the right set of interior design books directs you towards having a holistic approach to design which makes your work more than just pretty. 

About The Author

An Architect turned Writer, Saili has worked as an Architectural Writer, Marketer, & Curator. For the past 3 years, she has collaborated with multimedia publication houses, firms, studios, organisations, luxury brands, & educational inst ... itutions; both national and international to communicate and market the AEC industry as an Architect in Marketing. She is a commentator on the design industry’s upkeep through her social handles while also being an avid reader and traveller.

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