The Must-Have Books for Interior Designers

If you are always on the hunt for your next great read, you are in the exact right spot. We’re dishing up our best book recommendations for Interior Designers. From picks devoted to the business of design and streamlining processes, to those purely for sparking your creativity, or styling the heck out of your coffee table, these check all the boxes.

We truly believe that creative endeavors and business acumen do not have to be mutually exclusive. We also love inspiring design and pretty, pretty pictures. This book list has all of the above.

Some we’ve read cover-to-cover and others come highly recommended from friends and colleagues. A.K.A. they’re sitting in our Amazon carts as we speak. Take a look at the IDCO library below and tell us what you’re reading next!

 

 

For Your Coffee Table

 

 

Texas Made/Texas Modern
by Helen Thompson

From picturesque ranches, to sleek, modern design, this book sums up the new Texas. This sits on Anastasia’s coffee table year round.

 

 

Appetizer: New Interiors for Restaurants and Cafés
by Gestalten

The next best thing to eating out is getting inspired by the unforgettable eateries tucked inside. We get major branding inspiration here, too.

 

 

Habitat: The Field Guide to Decorating
by Lauren Leiss

Lauren Leiss beautifully melds natural elements into each and every space for a design that’s eclectic with a touch of the outdoors.

 

 

Victoria Hagan: Interior Portraits
by Victoria Hagan

A beautiful portrait of an iconic designer and her “new American classic” style.

 

 

The Finer Things: Timeless Furniture, Textiles, and Details
by Christiane Lemieux

Truly luxe inside and out, this book embraces timeless design and quality details with insight from leading experts.

 

 

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

Not only is the book covered in the most gorgeous Les Touches pattern from Brunschwig & Fils but tucked inside is an A-list of designers from the past century.

 

 

 

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

Consider this the Interior Design Bible. It’s a helpful reference for all those self-taught designers when it comes to the technical elements of the job.

 

 

Steven Gambrel: Perspective
by Steven Gambrel and Eric Piasecki

Come for the cloth-bound exterior and stay for the peek inside Steven Gambrel’s latest designs.

 

 

This is Home: The Art of Simple Living
by Natalie Walton

If you’re craving authentic, this book will inspire you with its simple beauty.

 

 

 

For Your Office

 

 

 

The Working Woman’s Handbook: Ideas, Insights, and Inspiration for a Successful Creative Career
by Phoebe Lavatt

Don’t let the sweet pink cover fool you, this handbook is a badass how-to on developing a working life you love. We love how short, to the point, and actionable it is.

 

 

 

 Brand Brilliance: Elevate Your Brand, Enchant Your Audience  
by Fiona Humberstone

It’s all about crafting a strong and impactful brand and upping your marketing game with this actionable guide. Anastasia had the pleasure of attending Fiona’s Brand Stylist Retreat last May and this book outlines the fundamentals of what transformed IDCO in 2018.

 

 

Mind Your Business: A Workbook to Grow Your Creative Passion Into a Full-time Gig 
by Llana Griffo

 A lot of  designers are full time moms, working full time at a career or running another business. This is the playbook for turning your side hustle into a career.

 

 

 

Manage Your Day-to-Day: Build Your Routine, Find Your Focus, and Sharpen Your Creative Mind
by 99U

 Learn how to focus and get stuff done in a big way while laying the groundwork for effective business practices. Anastasia swears by this one and bases her entirely daily routine from its lessons.

 

 

 

The Messy Middle: Finding Your Way Through the Hardest and Most Crucial Part of Any Bold Venture
by Scott Belsky

Endure. Optimize. Finish. and other important lessons when embarking on a bold venture. We’re big fans of Scott’s books (obviously) because they are practical, short winded and immediately actionable in business and creativity.

 

 

 

Profit First
by Mike Michalowicz

This is THE book to read if you are in the process of setting up your business financials. It changes the way you think about your business finances – YOU get paid first, then all other expenses are budgeted out of what’s remaining.

 

 

 

The Business of Design: Balancing Creativity and Profitability
by Keith Granet

This is a one-stop-shop for learning how to run a successful design business. Learn the basics of everything from billing to project management, marketing and licensing.

 

 

 

A Whole New Mind: Why Right Brainers Will Rule the Future
by Mike Michalowicz

Right -brainers unite! Delve into the world of the creative brain and learning to think outside of the box.

 

 

So whether you are on a midday break from taking over the design world or curled up on the sofa with coffee in hand, these books are must-reads. Also on the must-read list for interior designers…

 

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Erin Lepperd is an interior designer – turned digital media editor with a penchant for breathtaking interiors. When she’s not gabbing about design, you’ll find her wrangling her wild and wonderful 5 year old twins, brunching like it’s her job and exploring the wilds of New England as a California transplant.