The 8 Interior Design Bibles for Mastering Materials – Deep Dives

You will likely be devastated by the numerous aspects you encounter at the beginning of your interior design journey. The process starts with the fundamentals, such as understanding your unique style and colour preferences.

Book 1: Living with Pattern – By Rebecca Atwood

Source: Amazon

Living with Pattern is one of the best-selling interior design books by Rebecca Atwood, and for good reason. It walks you through every corner of the house and unveils how applying patterns can make it look better. The book insists that pattern is the strongest element in a room, placing even colours and textures in their perfect places.

One important lesson we learn from Rebecca Atwood’s Living with Pattern is that 40-60% of the room should be patterned for a playful look. The amazing pictures throughout and a DIY section at the end make it one of the best DIY interior design books.

A review on Goodreads precisely describes Living with Pattern:
“What a perfect book to help you continue to think about patterns in your home. Atwood encourages you to think about colour, texture, size and how each affects the whole in any space. You start by gathering things you like (sticks, pictures, fabric, anything), and slowly as you build your pile of favourites and hone it down, it all fits together to give you a sense of your personality and what brings you pleasure and energy.”

Book 2: The Colour Scheme Bible by Anna Starmer

Source: ABE Books

Colours are not just a matter of personal preference, but are deeply connected to the human response on a psychological and physiological level. Factors such as the intensity and shade of a colour, its cultural significance, and the combinations it is paired with greatly impact how it is perceived.

Anna Starmer understood all of these aspects and processed them to compile The Colour Scheme Bible. It is the ultimate colour scheme resource for both beginners and interior design professionals. Starmer gives you 200 colour schemes with descriptions of how each colour makes a space feel. Start from page one with zero interior design colour knowledge, and you’ll walk out with loads of ideas.

Coffee Table Books That Show, Not Just Tell – Inspirational Powerhouses

As you start understanding the major elements of interior design, it is time to learn some style. Coffee table books for interior design lovers are often expensive, but they are worth the visual experience they offer. Here are some pretty affordable interior design coffee table books to make your free time worthwhile.

Book 3: Styled by Emily Henderson

Source: ABE Books

What better book than the one backed by extensive experience? Emily Henderson is an HGTV personality and a New York Times best-selling author. Her book, Styled, is one of the greatest interior design books of all time, thanks to her easy-to-understand teaching method. The chapters ideally combine interior design principles with interior styling to ensure you take away long-lasting lessons and come back for more.

The abundance of examples and eye-catching visuals makes Styled a masterpiece of interior styling manuals. It is the perfect book to place on your coffee table, bound to grab instant attention and offer a decent read. Interior design books also help in qualitative data analysis by providing a framework for understanding human interaction with the built environment.

Book 4: Architectural Design At 100 – A Century of Style by Amy Astley

Source: Book Corner

If there’s one book that perfectly sits on the definition of a coffee table book, it is Architectural Design at 100. Amy Astley produced a masterpiece on the Architectural Digest’s 100th Anniversary. The book differs from classic interior decorating guides, which often provide design inspiration with limited emphasis on visual appeal. Amy Astley has made images breathe and homes speak for themselves.

Architectural Design at 100 showcases the personal spaces of several celebrities, as well as the works of top designers and architects. Although most of the featured spaces are unattainable for the general public, they do give a fun experience. The large physicality and wealth of visuals make Amy Astley’s A Century of Style a must-have coffee table book.

Your Starter Kit – Texture Lessons for the Total Beginner

So far, we have reviewed interior design books that focus on a single style. It is time to introduce coaches who guide you through the entire interior design process. These interior design books for beginners teach the basics you must learn to move forward in the journey.

Book 5: The Interior Design Handbook by Frida Ramstedt

Source: Books Please

The Interior Design Handbook breaks the flow to provide all-around guidance for those new to interior design. Frida Ramstedt has delved deeply into the fundamentals of interior design, ensuring that you learn and understand the basics from the ground up. The book encourages you to work with what you already have and teaches the “why” behind good design.

As you read through with detailed visuals to help, you will understand the importance of each of the seven elements of interior design. By the end of this sustainable interior design book, you will be trained to think like a designer. This masterpiece by Frida Ramstedt gives you a solid foundation for developing your own taste and style.

Book 6: Design the Home You Love by Lee Mayer and Emily Motayed

Source: World Of Books

If you’re intimidated by the luxury interior design books that show off-budget ideas, we’ve found the perfect solution. Renowned entrepreneurs and founders of Havenly, Lee Mayer and Emily Motayed, have introduced a guide that offers an accessible approach to interior design. Design the Home You Love provides practical interior design and decor solutions within your budget.

The book stands out by first helping you identify your style and then applying budget-friendly ideas to each room of your home. The best thing that the sisters have done is include stunning visuals from real client homes. Although it is not a book with architectural diagrams, Design the Home You Love helps beginners broaden their minds regarding interior design.

Beyond the Fabric – Texture in Light, Colour, and Architecture

Now that you have explored the world of architecture and interior design books, it is time to take your skills to the next level. We have brought the practical interior design tips books by famous authors. These writings will help you master the significance of texture, light, colour, and architecture, and apply them perfectly in your home.

Book 7: Colour, Pattern, Texture: The Foundation to Make Your Home Your Own by Vern Yip

Source: Amazon

A book that helps you discover your ‘Home Personality,’ award-winning interior designer Vern Yip has created a masterpiece. The book is divided into two parts:

• The first part focuses on the fundamentals of colour, pattern, and texture individually.

• The second part demonstrates how to apply these principles across the house.

The Foundation to Make Your Home Your Own offers step-by-step guidance, supported by case studies and beautiful photography. These perks, topped with Vern Yip’s clear, actionable advice, will inspire you to apply the designs to your home instantly.

Book 8: Memories of Home by Heidi Caillier

Source: Bookshop.org

After a book that guides step-by-step, here’s one that backs it up with an expert’s implementation. Heidi Caillier is an AD100 designer and the owner of the renowned Heidi Caillier Designs. Her debut book, Memories of Home, is a beautifully photographed portfolio of her work across twelve different homes. The book shows how a master designer expertly implements the principles of texture, pattern, and rich colour into modern homes.

If you are studying interior design or writing a project related to design principles, trusted assignment writing services can help you present your ideas more effectively. Memories of Home is the ultimate resource for someone who loves to blend vintage and modern styling ideas. Consider this the real-world application of the rules you’ve learned from Vern Yip’s The Foundation to Make Your Home Your Own.

Conclusion

The eight interior design books we have discussed are all unique resources that help you take your first step into the interior design world, master the core elements, and learn to implement them in your space. As we learned in a structured manner, it is only fitting to implement it in the same way.

Begin by developing your perception of textures and understanding the importance of the seven elements of interior design. Next, understand the ‘why’ behind a good design and try finding the resources within your budget to implement it. Apply what you have learned in a small space. Finally, consult the famous interior designers’ books like The Foundation to Make Your Home Your Own and Memories of Home to learn how master designers and stylists do it.