“If you want a golden rule that fit everything, this is it: Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”
-William Morris
Interior design is a captivating field that melds creativity with functionality to shape spaces into beautiful, practical, and harmonious environments. Whether you’re a novice venturing into interior design or a seasoned professional aiming to further your expertise, books are invaluable resources.
In this interior design blog, we’ll delve into seven carefully selected books, each brimming with insights, tips, and inspiration, aimed at assisting you in mastering the art of interior design and honing your skills to perfection. These books offer a wealth of knowledge, catering to diverse levels of expertise, from foundational principles to advanced concepts.
These books not only serve as foundational tools in your interior design journey but also complement your learning with practical insights, making them indispensable companions for enthusiasts and professionals alike.
The Interior Design Reference & Specific Book
Chris Grimley & Mimi Love
This comprehensive interior design book covers a wide range of topics, from space planning to color theory to materials and finishes, in clear and detailed language, making it a versatile resource for both beginners and experienced designers.
This book contains a broad range of topics, including materials, finishings and construction techniques, organized in an easy to navigate format. It’s an essential reference for the development of functional and aesthetic spaces, providing information in relation to building codes, sustainability as well as accessibility.
The book gives readers the knowledge to make their own choices when designing, through detailed illustrations, diagrams and photographs that offer an overview of how space planning, lighting and furniture are designed. The book will provide readers with the knowledge and tools needed to become a success in Interior Design and help build interior design portfolio, regardless of whether they choose the right materials or have an understanding of Technical Specifications.
The Fundamentals of Interior Design
Simon Dodsworth
Simon Dodsworth’s book provides a comprehensive introduction to the fundamental principles of interior design. It delves into topics such as spatial layout, lighting, and furniture design, making it an excellent starting point for those new to the field.
The book presents a detailed picture of the essential elements, for example space, form, light and color, by focusing on both scientific and practical aspects. This document gives valuable insight into the design procedures, spatial planning and user experience needed to create functional and attractive interior spaces.
In order to design cohesive and harmonious areas, readers are given an understanding of the importance of proportion, scale or balance through detailed explanations and visual examples. Additionally, the book explores the relationship between architecture and interior design, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to creating well-designed environments.
Interior Design Illustrated
Francis D.K. Ching & Corky Binggeli
Known for his expertise in architectural graphics, Francis D.K. Ching offers a visually rich exploration of interior design concepts. This book is filled with illustrations and diagrams that help readers grasp complex design ideas easily.
An extensive exploration of spatial relations, materials and finishes that shape internal space is provided in the book by a large array of illustrations. The book provides a comprehensive description of various drawing techniques, including the ability to draw hand and computer assisted CAD designs making it easier for readers to understand what design ideas are being communicated visually.
In order to give readers a comprehensive insight into the design process, it deals with a range of topics including spatial organisation and furniture arrangement, lighting and acoustics. “Interior Designing Illustrated” provides both students and professionals seeking to improve their skills in the areas of design as well as an efficient communication of creative vision with clear explanations and extensive visual aids.
The Complete Manual of Typography:
James Felici
Typography plays a significant role in interior design, especially when it comes to creating visually appealing spaces. James Felici’s book is a must-read for anyone looking to understand typography’s role in design, including font selection, spacing, and layout.
A great deal of information, from the classification of fonts to anatomy and history, is covered in this extensive book that makes readers fully understand the complicated elements defining an efficient typeface. It takes an interdisciplinary approach, giving practical guidance for creating eye pleasing and legible text by focusing on the subtleties of font selection, layout as well as design.
It also includes a chapter on digital typography and addresses the issues and considerations in this area, which emphasises the necessity of changing fundamental principles to an increasingly digital environment. “The Complete Guide to Typography”, which serves as a critical reference for designers, typographers and anyone who wishes to learn how to understand the art and science of typography in print and online media, is an exhaustive set of explanatory explanations, illustrated examples and practical advice.
Colour, Space & Style : All the Details Interior Designers Need to Know but Can Never Find
Chris Grimley and Mimi Love
Another masterpiece from design power duo Grimley and Love, this book takes a deep dive into the complexities of colour theory, spatial planning, and various interior design styles. It serves as an invaluable guide for those striving to create harmonious and visually pleasing interior spaces.
The book acquaints readers with the essential knowledge needed to design a coherent and visually impressive interior by exhaustively investigating color theory, architectural planning, and style considerations. This article gives valuable insight into the psychological effects of color, effective use of space and integration of a variety of design styles allowing designers to create environments that are both functional and visually pleasing.
The book, which focuses on practical applications and actual examples from around the world, provides a great deal of information about how to select color palettes, arrange furniture or make your own decorations that will serve as an essential resource for home designers who are seeking to improve their design knowledge in order to build awful and fascinating spaces.
The Well Designed Mixed Garden
Tracey DiSabato-Aust
While not a traditional interior design book, this work by Tracy DiSabato-Aust explores the principles of design and aesthetics that can be applied both indoors and outdoors. Learning about garden design can offer valuable insights into spatial arrangements, colour palettes, and texture combinations.
Practical advice on achieving balance, texture and color harmony in garden landscapes is provided in this book with a focus on the selection of plants, planting designs and design principles. It gives readers an insight into the importance of soil conditions, climate considerations and variation in seasons for growing a flourishing mixed garden by means of detailed explanations and illustrative examples.
The book gives gardeners a chance to develop diverse, dynamic open space by looking at different gardening techniques such as planting combinations, layers and site organization. With its emphasis on both aesthetic appeal and practical functionality, “The Well-Designed Mixed Garden” serves as an essential resource for garden enthusiasts, landscapers, and anyone seeking to create stunning and sustainable mixed gardens that flourish throughout the seasons.
The Interior Design Productivity Toolbox
Phyllis Harbinger
Project Management is a critical aspect of interior design, and this book provides practical advice on how to manage projects, communicate with clients, and optimize workflows. It is a valuable resource for both independent designers and those working in design firms.
The book provides readers with effective strategies and best practices for the management of the various aspects of interior design projects, including the organization of the work flow, project planning and resource management, through a systematic approach. It provides practical tools, such as checklists, templates, and guidelines, which designers can use to streamline their processes and deliver high quality results within defined timeframes and budgets.
With a focus on effective communication, client management, and team collaboration, the book equips readers with the necessary skills to navigate complex design projects and overcome challenges effectively. The book is an essential resource for interior designers and experts who seek to optimise their productivity, in order to deliver successful designs that meet clients’ needs, by emphasising the importance of strategic planning and systematic implementation.
In addition to these recommended books, expanding your horizons in interior design can be further enriched by exploring design magazines, enrolling in online courses, and actively participating in workshops or seminars. Given the dynamic nature of interior design, staying updated with the latest trends, materials, and technologies is vital for success in this field.
To conclude, embarking on a journey of learning interior design is both rewarding and fulfilling. It empowers you to reimagine spaces and create environments that resonate with those who inhabit them. These seven recommended books will equip you with valuable skills and knowledge, helping you build an impressive interior design portfolio. When combined with continuous learning and hands-on experience, they will empower you to excel in this creative and ever-evolving field. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned designer, the world of interior design offers an endless source of inspiration and innovation, ready for your exploration, alongside Oraanj Interior Design.
Author: Deepika Kaushik & Jayatri Joshi (Interior Designer)