Interior Design Textbooks and References

Ideas and Inspiration, Beginners' Books, Color Guides, Interior Design Periods and Styles - and books ideal for all interior design students...

Read helpful descriptions of each book.

I have gathered together some really good interior design reference books here for you to browse.

Browse this selection of my pick of the best interior design textbooks and reference books...

...but are interesting and useful to the more general reader with an interest in interior design as well.

For ease of use, I have divided the books into different sub-categories, as I felt were most appropriate, but do take these with a pinch of salt...

...for example, just because I have put something in the 'Exams' section of interior design textbooks, it does not mean it would not also be a good book for anyone interested in interior design.

If you are looking for window treatment books, go straight to the window treatment books page, to read more book reviews there.

Read my descriptions to get a good idea of what each book contains, and see if it is just what you are looking for ...

For more information, or to buy, just click on the images...

General Interior Design Books

Interior Design Books about Color

Books on Design Skills

Interior Design Textbooks for Exams

Books on the History of Interior Design

Window Treatment Books (separate page)

More interior design book reviews and suggestions (separate page)

General Interior Design Textbooks

This is the 'ultimate practical guide' to interior design!

I'm sure I'm biased (!) but I think it's one of the most useful interior design textbooks for helping you through the basics and giving you the confidence to Interior Design It Yourself...

My book shows you how to use professional interior design techniques in your own home...

...to get a home you love, and that's the envy of family and friends!

Everything you like about this website, and more...

Find out more about the Interior Design It Yourself book

(paperback, bonus and e-book editions are available)

New Decorating Book (BHG)

This book looks at tips on getting a great style for your home. It is suitable for complete design beginners, or those more experienced home designers and decorators.

If you are a professional designer, take this book with you, for clients to get inspiration - or just keep it for your own home.

There is plenty of information here, and lovely pictures, that can keep you occupied for ages, as well as practical hints on mastering those decorating basics.

The only downside to this book would be that some of the rooms do tend to have quite a similar, conservative style.

There isn't much here that is really unusual - but it is still worth a look, and has some really nice, realistic looks.


Interior Design Illustrated

A fantastic book, filled with sketches, designs and illustrations, with easily understood text.

Includes info on architecture, space, aesthetics, finishes, furnishings, textiles, lighting, sustainability and acoustics.

Ideal reading for any interior design course.











Tricia Guild Pattern

A wonderful, very beautiful book - packed full of intricate, colorful pictures - and with a very swanky, flocked cover.

This is a great, inspirational book - useful for any interior designer, student or home-owner.

Tricia Guild is a world renowned expert on color and pattern - this books concentrates on using patterns inspiringly - in wallpaper and fabrics and all areas of your home - and covering loads of different styles.

The info on pattern is first class - but treat yourself to this book for the stunning visual treat alone!




Not So Big Solutions for Your Home

Bigger is not necessarily better, when it comes to your home. This is a great book about utilizing the space well in your home - thinking about real life tasks which you do in your home, and coming up with 'thinking outside the box' solutions.

This is a cheerful, easy to read book, but does treat the concept of organising the space in your home, in a very serious manner.

Whilst anyone would find this book interesting, I am sure, it is most useful for anyone planning a big project for their home, or complete re-model.





Home Decorating for Dummies

I really like the '...For Dummies' series of books, and this one is just as good as any other.

It is really aimed at beginners, so this means it is full of loads of useful (and basic) interior design and decorating hints and advice.

Loads and loads of info here, written in a very down-to-earth and accessible style. The book could have done with some more pretty pictures - but it is worth it for all the practical info it contains.

Decorate

A lovely glossy 'coffee table' interior design book - full of lots of gorgeous images and inspiration to help you kick start your creativity!

You can read my full review of this book, here...








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Interior Design Textbooks about Color

You can read my full review, here...




The Color Scheme Bible

This is a fantastic little book for interior designers, decorators, interior design students, and basically, anyone who needs an extra 'eye' to help choose the colors for their home.

This is a small size, so is easy to carry around when you are out shopping for home accessories or paint. The book does contain basic color theory, but in the main is a great selection of color combinations and color schemes.

Some really fantastic suggestions here, with useful ideas of how colors can change the mood in your room. Definitely recommended!





Color in Interior Design

This is a must for all interior design students. This is a fantastic book, designed specifically for interior designers and students, but do-it-yourself homeowners will get a great deal from this too.

This book works on the principle that a gift for color does not rely on natural talent or 'good taste' but is a skill that anyone can learn.

Use color, understand the psychology of color and solve practical color problems, with the help of this book - highly recommended.







Color Schemes Made Easy (BHG)

Some lovely, unusual color schemes in this book. Each chapter of the book focuses on a different color - with inspirational photo examples of the color schemes. Then you can turn to the end of the book, with paint swatches and samples for you to use when planning your own design scheme.

Perhaps the best part of this book is the quiz, that helps you to discover which colors you would be happiest living with. All in all, a great, practical, easy-to-read book, with lovely pictures.





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Interior Design Textbooks on Design Skills

A standard recommended interior design textbook. This is quite pricy (although seems to be cheaper on Amazon than elsewhere) but definitely worth the price tag.

Another essential for professionals and students of interior design - this is a book you will definitely get your use out of.

This is a huge book, with piles of info on styles, periods, residential, public and commercial spaces, dimensions, clearances, guidelines, standard sizes, ceiling heights etc, with very handy reference tables at the back.

I found this book invaluable, and I would say, definitely a time-saver!




Home Quick Planner - Reusable, Peel and Stick Furniture and Architectural Symbols

This is not so much a 'book' as a 'set' - 700 pre-cut, reusable, peel and stick furniture and architectural symbols, to use on a supplied, 5,600 square foot, floor plan grid.

This is a great tool to help with arranging furniture and layout of your room. Loads of different types and styles of furniture are included, to suit your own furniture requirements, and step-by-step instructions.

This makes it easy for anyone to construct an accurate layout plan - very useful, fun and easy to use. My only criticism would be that the stickers can be a little small and fiddly - which can get frustrating. But overall, a vey useful product.




Perspective For Interior Designers

A highly recommended book for beginners to perspective drawing, or more advanced students alike.

This has really great, easy to follow, step-by-step guides to mastering one and two point perspective, as well as topics like stairs, ellipses and cones.

This really makes it all simple to understand (and to do yourself) so is an ideal guide for any interior design students.







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Interior Design Textbooks for Exams

This is a must read for anyone taking the NCIDQ exam - but also invaluable for any interior design student or professional designer.

The sample question and answers, and exam information are essential for helping you to pass the exam.

But even if you have already taken the exam, or will never take it, this is a totally superb book for professional and amateur home designers alike.

Packed full of really useful and practical interior design information - and Amazon manage to sell this at a very competitive price. One of the best interior design textbooks!




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Books on the History of Interior Design

Essential for students of interior design. This interior design textbook has loads of great info on all the different styles in interior design history, and lovely pictures.

Pretty much required reading for design students, and anyone with a period home, looking to get an accurate style. Well worth the money!










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Go to Reviews of Window Treatment Books for help with choosing and sewing curtains.



I hope that you have managed to find your ideal interior design textbooks and reference books here.

If not you can read more interior design book reviews and suggestions, here...

Also see:

My interior design book reviews:

'The Well-Dressed Home' by Annette Tatum

'Decorate' by Holly Becker and Joanna Copestick

Got an opinion you want to share? Write your own review of one of these books ... or another interior design book you loved, or hated! Click here to rant or rave about a book, and leave your own review!

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