Have you ever wondered what home décor books would be good for a beginner so you can easily decorate your own home? Decorating books are good for anyone who’s about to move into a new home, just moved, or is desperately in need of a home refresh. And, if you’re anything like me, you may have picked up a home décor book here and there over the years. Anytime you see a pretty cover in a bookstore (remember those?) or when a book recommendation pops up on Amazon. You can’t help but buy them. Since I work in the home décor space for my profession, I’ve been more intentional about the design books I purchase for my personal library. And I want to share the books I think would be great to help anyone who struggles with decorating their home. But, before we get started, go ahead and join my FREE Decorating Made Easy Challenge. You’ll learn the tricks to easily decorate your home, even if you don’t have an eye for design. Now let’s get started.
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Top Home Décor Books For Beginners (So You Can Easily Decorate Your Own Home)
So, I have a lot of home décor books sitting on the bookshelf in my office. And I mean a lot. But instead of sharing all the books that I own (that list would be overwhelming for most normal people). I’m going to share the “go-to” books that are in arms reach of my desk. These are the books I reference often and have had a big impact on my personal decorating style. In no particular order, here we go…
Domino: The Book of Decorating
I really don’t think there’s any way for me to sum up everything that’s packed into this Domino book. So, the easiest way for me to explain why I love this book so much is to share a just a few of the pages I have bookmarked (and I mean a few, I have an embarrassing number of pages flagged). For example, for every space this book tackles (from the bedroom, dining, to the entry) the authors break down how to “build” the room with furniture and colors based on your preferred design style. Then you’ll see how to mix and match pieces, followed by decorating tips, tricks and solutions for small spaces.
Domino: Your Guide to a Stylish Home
If the original Domino book was focused on taking you room by room to create a home you love, then this follow up book is helping you discover your personal style so you can create a home you love. There are so many sections, covering seating, to lighting, to decorating with plants and flowers. This book will walk you through designs to love, a mini-handbook to help you “get the look” in your own space, style statements with pictures that inspire, and “style school” to help you improve your decorating skills.
The DIY Style Finder by Kari Anne Wood
I consider this one of the most fun decorating books that I have. First fun thing is that this cover is white, gold, and hot pink. The second fun thing is that this book starts with a super-quick style quiz, so you know your preferred decorating style. Then the rest of the book walks you through decorating every area of your home with tips on how to decorate using your preferred style. Even though the book is written by Kari Anne, she’s brought along several friends that give their professional take on furniture, flooring, fabric, window coverings and accessories for each of the design styles.
But Where Do I Put My Couch by Melissa Michaels & KariAnne Wood
Did you know that this is basically a big book of Q&A? I think that’s so cool! Melissa and KariAnne team up to answer over 100 home decorating questions. This is a great reference book when you don’t know where to start with decorating and you have more questions than answers. So, if you’re feeling stuck in a decorating rut, and feel like you need answers before you can move on, I’m sure this book will have your question answered so you can take action.
The Inspired Room by Michaels
In this book, Melissa literally walks you room by room in her home and shares encouragement and ways for you to look at your current home in new ways. Melissa takes you on the journey she used to decorate her own home and shows you how she used texture, color, and her favorite accessories to personalize. And then Melissa encourages you to do the same in your own home. There are decorating tips start for typical spaces like the entryway, living and dining room and kitchen, but also dive into decorating the pantry and bathrooms and other small spaces in your home.
Home Body by Joanna Gaines
I bought this book at Costco a few years ago because I thought it’d be a perfect coffee table book. And well, it’s Joanna Gaines. Joanna stars by breaking down six design style so you can figure out which most resonates with you. Then she follows up by sharing the design styles you’ll see in over 20 home exteriors. As you go through each section of the book – from your entryway, to kids spaces and utility rooms, you’ll see Joanna’s notes to help you think critically (figuring out what you’re drawn to and why) and also troubleshoot any problem areas and common pain points with her tried and true solutions
Love The Home You Have by Michaels
You might be surprised to find a book without a lot of pretty “how to” pictures on it on my list. But there’s a very good reason why this book stays close by. In this social media world of Instagram, Pinterest and even HGTV design shows, it’s easy to slip into the “my home is ugly” and even worse yet “I have no idea what to do to fix it”. Melissa really digs into creating the home of your dreams right where you are. So, if you need help loving the home that you have (especially when you really, really don’t like it) this is the book for you.
The DIY Home Planner by Kari Anne Wood
This book is so colorful and fun and is really great if you’re ready to take some action. This home planner touches on space planning, choosing the right window treatments and flooring options for your home. It also goes over finding the right type of light for your design style, and tips on accessorizing and styling your home. If you’re looking for tips on how to paint creative designs like ombre walls, checkered or brick patterns, stripes or faux molding, you’ll find it here.
[the nest] Home Design Handbook by Carley Roney
I’ve had this book for years and years and years, and why do I love it? Because it touches on so much! Colors and trends go in and out of style, but the basic keys of home decorating never change. This book has a ton of checklists, tips, and examples to help and inspire you. It’s an easy to reference guide with sections broken down into live, eat, sleep and stash (or organize). This will help you style and organize your living room, kitchen, dining room, bedrooms and personalize your home.
Psychological Staging by Kristie Barnett
Ok, so I know this book is geared towards people that want to become professional home stagers. Kristie shares her client forms and pre-staging checklist if you’re looking to start a home staging business or want to DIY-stage your own home to sell. But, I gotta say, that this book is also good if you’ve ever walked into a model home, fell in love, and wanted to recreate that look in your own home. The psychology of staging is what pulled at your heartstrings in that model home. So, if you take these same concepts, like choosing the right paint colors and how to arrange furniture, and use them in your own home, you can turn your house into a home you love, too.
Top Home Décor Books For Beginners (So You Can Easily Decorate Your Own Home)
I just shared a list of 10 home décor books that would be good for a beginner to help you easily decorate your own home. I keep each of these books close at hand, so I highly recommend them. If you’re ready to take the next step in decorating your home, then go ahead and join my FREE Decorating Made Easy Challenge. You’ll learn the tricks to easily decorate your home, even if you don’t have an eye for design.
And please, take a few minutes and leave a comment below and let me know how these tips have helped you.
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