The 10 Best Design Books to Gift to Your Loved Ones

Header: “The Art of Home: A Designer Guide to Creating an Elevated Yet Approachable Home” by Shea McGee

The holidays are upon us and with them comes the endless search for gifts. The objective is clear: bring a smile to the faces of our loved ones. Some gifts are easy, others require some thought and knowledge, and when it comes to design the choices are endless. With so many different tastes and aesthetics out there, our tip for this year is to offer them all: why not a design book?

In this article, we present our curated choice of design books available both on paper and on Kindle, the perfect option if you plan on delivering your present on the 25th. Whether you’re looking for maximalism or eclectic, French or clean, there’s a book with design tips and examples sure to delight every design aficionado.

“The Interior Design Handbook“

Frida Ramstedt (author) and Mia Olofsson (illustrator)

In what can be considered the most recent bible of interior design, your loved one will learn how to perfectly decorate a room without having to purchase over-the-top furniture. Frida Ramstedt elegantly explains the basic rules of interior design, such as the golden ratio and golden spiral, which the Greeks respected so much. Along with illustrations and examples, this design book is perfect for learning the dos and don’ts, ensuring the reader will get all the tools necessary to create a balanced and classy space no matter their style.

“New York School of Interior Design: Home: the Foundations of Enduring Spaces”

Ellen S. Fisher (author), Jen Renzi (author), and Alexa Hampton (foreword)

As Alexa Hampton puts it, this book is a must for any design student or simply for someone who loves the art and science behind a great décor. The New York School of Interior Design is known as the US’s top university for everything design, so they made sure that everything you need to achieve a magnificent space is in these pages. Detailed illustrations and quality writing pass through some of the most important lessons of interior design: colour theory, space-specific furniture, and much more. Along with input from some of the best contemporary architects and interior designers, this book is sure to teach you something new.

“Made for Living: Collected Interiors for All Sorts of Styles”

Amber Lewis (author) and Cat Chen (author)

Amber Lewis is known for her eclectic approach to interior design, so it’s no surprise that she filled this book with tips on how to always achieve the coolest vibe. Learn how to choose the best materials, how to seamlessly mix and match furniture and décor, and which colour would look best splashed on your walls: meet the ultimate eye trainer. Design a home where you can live in, all it takes is you and your style.

“The Art of Home: A Designer Guide to Creating an Elevated Yet Approachable Home”

Shea McGee (author)

Shea McGee is a well-known interior designer who has shared her knowledge through her business, Studio Mcgee, and her Netflix series, Dream Home Makeover. Not surprisingly, she had more to share. The book is a journey through a home, symbolic of the process of getting your art into a blank canvas. McGee thoroughly teaches you how to create a unique room that can be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike through step-by-step guides paired with her designs and personal stories. This comprehensive manual is the perfect gift for someone who dreams big and wants to see their wishes become real.

“Call It Home: The Details That Matter”

Amber Lewis (author), Shade Degges (photographer), and Cat Chen (contributor)

Enter into Amber Lewis’ world of laid-back spaces where details are never forgotten. Gorgeous sets of pictures and thoughtful essays carry out the messages, encapsulating lessons such as how to choose and apply fabric, tiles, flooring, paint, and much more: when choices can be overwhelming, this book gives you the answers. The book invites you into eight homes while explaining what went on in the background. The 200+ pictures and personal experiences in this book will give you the inspiration and knowledge you need to create a home that is 100% you.

“The Joy of Home”

Ashley Gilbreath (author) and James T. Farmer (foreword)

This is the perfect book for a classical aesthetic lover. Ashley Gilbreath, known for her traditional yet youthful approach to design, guides the reader through homes while sharing the design process behind each space, explaining how to balance functionality with elegance. Gilbreath shows the pivotal role personality plays in design, offering advice on how to incorporate it to get a decoration that ages with the family. Learn how to add colour and patterns to a room, how to mix and match old furniture with new pieces, and how to inject a home with emotion: the best décor piece is your character.

“Sense of Place: Design Inspired by Where We Live“

Caitlin Flemming (author) and Julie Goebel (author)

Design can have many inspirations, but one that creates truly meaningful and cohesive spaces is that of space itself. Immerse yourself in the intimacy of the environment around you and learn how to capture the historical essence of a building with Caitlin Flemming and Julie Goebel. Evoke nostalgia, tradition, history, and the textures of a landscape to craft an interior design that grounds you to where you belong: your home. Mom and daughter take you on a journey from the English countryside to the paradise that is Mallorca, cleverly mixing appealing texts with exterior and interior shots, perfectly painting a picture of the moment soul, art, and nature combine. This book is perfect for interior design and travelling lovers alike, detailing all that is needed to create a design that reflects life itself.

“Architectural Digest at 100: A Century of Style“

Architectural Digest (author), Amy Astley (introduction), and Anna Wintour (foreword)

And why not offer a trip down History’s memory lane? Architectural Digest is known for its contribution to the world of design and has been doing so for a century now. After going through their extensive archives, the authors have crafted a unique window through time. In the book, readers can find records of the homes of one hundred celebrities, telling the tale of how design and society evolved from 1920 to our day. The perfect book for a pop culture and design enthusiast, we advise the purchase of the hardcover book since it would make the perfect coffee table décor piece.

“Old Brand New: Colorful Homes for Maximal Living”

Dabito (author)

Making a turn towards maximalism territory, we chose Dabito’s insights and experience: we couldn’t miss him in a list such as this one. Loved by many, and admired by even more, Dabito is a designer, photographer, artist, and blogger known for his bold approach to colour and space. In his book, the designer shares tips on how to craft a meaningful space through the use of unique décor and bold splashes of character. Filled with photographs from the author’s projects, the book narrates several moments when one can get immersed in design: inspiration, weekend DIYs, large renovations, and simple gallery wall science. Dabito takes on an intimate approach, sharing personal stories and his feelings on the value of family and home.

“Designing Rooms with Joie de Vivre: A Fresh Take on Classic Style”

Amanda Reynal (author)

This book is made for the bustling, happy, and energetic people out there who want a fresh home where they can unleash their personality. Amanda Reynal shares her knowledge of how to create a design that favours comfort while still looking stylish, making sure to pass on the message that colour has a very important role in every room. The author teaches the key rules of design and finishes it up by applying them to reality, showing through many examples how to seamlessly incorporate colour in a design.