15 Books To Buy For A Better Home

BrightNest
by BrightNest
Whoever said, “There are some things you just can’t learn from a book” clearly never paged through a home décor book.
Each of the following tomes are so full of entertaining ideas, advice for home upkeep and photos of awe-inspiring decor, there’s plenty to learn. (And plenty to get excited about!)
Here’s our list for the top 15 design and décor books for your home:
1. A Beautiful Mess Happy Handmade Home: Painting Crafting, and Decorating a Cheerful, More Inspiring Space


Hot off the presses, A Beautiful Mess Happy Handmade Home is a collaboration between Elsie Larson and Emma Chapman, the sisters behind the popular home décor blog A Beautiful Mess. The upbeat, cheerful voice behind the how-to steps of each DIY because it totally takes away the intimidation factor of tackling a home project.
2. Cupcakes and Cashmere: A Guide for Defining Your Style, Reinventing Your Space, and Entertaining with Ease


Consider this the mac-daddy of organization, fashion, style and party planning tips. Emily Schuman delivers brand new tips and tricks that have yet to be published on her award-winning site, Cupcakes and Cashmere. We love this book because it’s conveniently organized by the seasons, so you can be stylish and chic 24/7, 365 days a year.


3. Young House Love: 243 Ways to Paint, Craft, Update & Show Your Home Some Love


If you haven’t been following the Petersiks’ story until now, you’re missing out! What began as a blog has transformed into a full-time gig, complete with this New York Times Bestseller.
4. Design*Sponge at Home


One of our go-to websites for craft night has a delightful book that – to no surprise – is full of fantastic, colorful DIY projects that will make you stop whatever you’re doing and start crafting. If the Before & After pics don’t get your creative juices flowing, we can bet the home tours of famous interior designers will do the trick.
5. The Nesting Place: It Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect to Be Beautiful


“There is beauty in the lived-in and loved-on and just-about-used-up,” says Myquillyn Smith, author of the website and now book, The Nesting Place. In this book, Smith shares the secrets of decorating for real people and the busy, messy lives we live.


6. Remodelista


Self-titled from the website Remodelista, this book by Julie Carson is no stranger to praise. The Washington Post named it one of the Top Design Books of the Year and Refinery29 called it the “home-remodeling bible we’ve been waiting for.” Need we say more? This one is worth checking out.


7. The Organically Clean Home: 150 Everyday Organic Cleaning Products You Can Make Yourself


We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: this is the perfect book for green cleaning enthusiasts! Even if you’re not into the green cleaning scene, you can still learn practical ways to use everyday items in your home to clean.
8. The Perfectly Imperfect Home: How to Decorate and Live Well


Written by the Deborah Needleman, the design expert and editor-in-chief of Domino, this collection of lively little essays goes back to the basics of décor and design. Learn everything you need to know about flea markets, setting a table, good lighting and even “a bit of quirk.”


9. Elle Décor: The Height of Style Inspiring Ideas from the World’s Chicest Rooms


If you’re looking for a book that’s less about advice and about more inspiring photography, this is the book for you. It features over 200 rooms hand-picked by Elle Décor editors to showcase individuality, eclectic style and a touch of glamour.
10. Flea Market Fabulous: Designing Gorgeous Rooms with Vintage Treasures


If you love the idea of flea markets, but have no idea where to start, consider this your new guidebook. Learn how to scour flea markets and garage sales, reinvent vintage furniture and harness your own personal decorating style with Lara Spencer’s easy-to-understand tips and tricks.


11. My Boyfriend Barfed in My Handbag … And Other Things You Can’t Ask Martha


Kerr uses her wit and enthusiasm to offer up her advice from everything to cleaning ceiling fans to removing beer stains. Check out our official BrightNest book review for more details.
12. Domino: The Book of Decorating: A Room-by-Room Guide to Creating a Home That Makes You Happy


The author, Deborah Needleman, is more or less the queen of interior design! This book is a fine-tuned collection of decorating elements found in Domino magazine with step-by-step guides on how to pull a room together.


13. Style & Simplicity: An A to Z Guide to Living a More Beautiful Life


If you’re searching for a book that piques your interior design interests, look no further. Every time you leaf through the pages, you are likely to find a new source of inspiration and a new idea for transforming your home décor. It’s simply too gorgeous to pass up!
14. Sarah Style


Sarah Richardson is the host of HGTV’s Sarah’s House and Sarah 101, two interior design television shows that are growing in popularity. Sarah Style takes you through each room in your home, offering advice for how to make it perfectly yours along the way.


15. Decorate: 1,000 Design Ideas for Every Room in Your Home


Yes – that’s right – 1,000 ideas. In this book, top designers and décor experts get together and share hundreds of solutions for every room and every budget, and the results are spectacular. If you’re a design buff, this is one you’ll need to add to your shelf, stat.


To read more, and for other tips and tricks, visit: http://bit.ly/1DySpwe
BrightNest
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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 3 comments
  • Hannah V Hannah V on Sep 30, 2014
    So many amazing books to add to my subway ride, must-read list. Clipped for sure! :D
    • BrightNest BrightNest on Oct 01, 2014
      @Hannah V You would love them Hannah! Hope you dive into some of them :)
  • Julia Julia on Sep 06, 2023

    Thanks for the valuable advice. In fact, I am currently studying at the Faculty of Medicine and have absolutely no time for my hobby - design. Your advice helped me save my time. However, my academic assignments also take time, so I need to somehow combine personal life, hobbies and studies. I am currently looking for a nurse writer to deal with academic issues.

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