15 interior design, decoration and art books
Discover the best interior design books to inspire and transform your spaces
Achieving a successful project in the field of interior design and decoration is not an easy task. All of us who work in this field know that it is not enough to have knowledge and technical skills about interior design, but it is also necessary to have a lot of creativity and a capacity to constantly innovate in an increasingly competitive market.
For the Molins Design team it is essential to be up to date on the latest trends and styles that are emerging. For this reason, our professionals resort to various sources of information, from magazines and specialized blogs to training with experts in the field. However, we must not forget that literature also plays a fundamental role in learning and inspiration in the world of interior design and decoration. That is why, today we bring under the arm a list with the 15 best books on interior design, decoration and art: great classics and other contemporary readings that can not miss in your library.
Taking advantage of the fact that this weekend is celebrated in Catalonia the day of Sant Jordi, where it is typical to give a book to our favorite people, the readings that we are going to suggest below will be the perfect gift for any lover of interior design and art. Read on to discover our selection of literary works.
1. Disfruta tu casa, Manu Núñez
Disfruta tu casa is a must-read for those who want to transform their home into a cozy and attractive space. Written by Manu Núñez, a journalist specializing in the sector, this book offers practical and simple advice on how to organize and optimize space intelligently. With photographs of projects from different interior design studios, including Molins Design, and detailed explanations, the author explains step by step how to make the most of the available space. In addition to creating an attractive guide with tricks and tips for organization and storage very useful to have your home tidy and very functional.


2. Lifestyles Today: Interior Design Around the World, Chris van Uffelen
With the reading of this interior design book you will take a fascinating journey around the world to discover the latest trends in interior design. Throughout its pages a selection of the most impressive houses and apartments in different cities around the world is presented. Plus practical tips and tricks from experts to apply in your own home. Thanks to its stunning photography and detailed descriptions of each space, this book will become your ultimate source of inspiration.


3. Where architects sleep: The most stylish Hotels in the World, Sarah Miller
If you are a lover of luxury hotels, Sarah Miller’s book: The most stylish Hotels in the World, will be the perfect read. Its pages will transport you to the most exclusive and luxurious hotels in the world. Spaces selected by renowned architects and designers, in which the best kept secrets of these unique and exclusive accommodations are revealed.


4. Menu Design in Europe, Steven Heller
Are you as passionate about design as you are about cooking? Then, the book Menu Design in Europe by Steven Heller is the reading you are looking for. This work analyzes the design of menus in the most emblematic restaurants in Europe throughout the 20th century; a reading that takes us on a journey through the history and gastronomic culture of the old continent, presenting a selection of the most iconic menus of each era and country.


5. Indoor Green: Living with Plants, Bree Claffey
Indoor Green: Living with Plants by Bree Claffey is an interior design book that explores the world of gardening and how to integrate plants into home decor. With full-page photographs and practical tips, this book introduces you to different styles of plants, from large and lush to small and delicate. In addition, the author offers advice on how to choose the right pots and how to integrate them into the home decor to create relaxing and cozy environments.


6. Inspiring family homes: Family-friendly interiors & design, Lucy Baliteig
This interior design book is a source of inspiration for those looking to create a comfortable and welcoming home for the whole family. The reading offers practical advice on how to integrate design elements into the home, without compromising functionality and safety for children. From children’s rooms to play areas and common areas, Inspiring family homes offers a wide range of innovative ideas for designing a home that is both stylish and practical.


7. Siéntete a gusto en casa: Aprende a decorar y potenciar los espacios de tu hogar, Frida Ramstedt
This is a book that offers practical and simple tips for creating a home that reflects one’s personality and lifestyle. With a focus on minimalism and simplicity, Ramstedt offers ideas for organizing and decorating the home effectively, eliminating clutter and maintaining functionality. In addition, the book addresses the importance of small details and how they can make a big difference in creating a cozy and comfortable home environment.


8. Case Study Houses: The Complete CSH Program 1945-1966, Elizabeth A.T. Smith
Writer Elizabeth A.T. Smith documents in this work the Los Angeles Case Study Houses program, a postwar initiative that brought together some of the leading architects of the era to design and build innovative and affordable homes for the middle class. This book includes historical photographs, plans and technical details of each of the 36 houses that were built throughout this program. A must-have work for understanding the design and architecture of these iconic homes and their impact on contemporary architecture.


9. Total Feng Shui, Lillian Too
Are you passionate about the ancient Chinese system of harmonizing spaces? If you are a loyal follower of Feng Shui and are looking to maximize the positive energy and minimize the negative energy in your home, then this title is for you. Lillian Too’s work is one of the best books on interior design, offering a comprehensive guide to understanding and applying the principles of Feng Shui.


10. 1000 Chairs. Revised and Updated Edition, Taschen
1000 Chairs by Taschen is a reading that celebrates the history of chair design, from the earliest creations to the most recent designs of today. This work presents a selection of 1000 iconic chairs from around the world, including pieces by famous designers. Of course, here you will find Thonet’s bentwood chairs and Hoffmann’s sitting machines, Marcel Breuer’s Wassily chair and Ron Arad’s avant-garde armchairs. Each model is accompanied by a detailed description, as well as full-color photographs and illustrations, which highlight the unique features of each design.


11. Interiors Now! 40th Ed., Aurelia Taschen
Aurelia Taschen presents in this interior design book a collection of the most surprising and avant-garde residential interiors in the world. The work includes a wide selection of spaces designed by some of today’s most prominent architects and interior designers, who have created unique and personalized environments for their clients.


12. 100 Interiors Around The World, Taschen
The following reading presents a selection of the most impressive and exciting interiors on six continents. This interior design book offers a visual tour through spaces ranging from minimalist and modern to classic and timeless. Through the pages of this book, you will explore how architects and interior designers from around the world have transformed and embellished homes, offices, stores, and other spaces into works of design art.


13. The New Mediterranean: Homes and Interiors under the Southern Sun, Robert Klanten
This book tours some of the most beautiful and exciting properties on the Mediterranean coast. In it, Robert Klanten shows how interior designers and architects have created unique and inviting spaces that reflect the natural beauty and rich cultural history of the Mediterranean region. From stunning luxury villas to picturesque country homes. Each featured property becomes a true work of art of design and decoration.


14. By Design: The world’s best contemporary interior designers, Phaidon
By Design: The world’s best contemporary interior designers is an indispensable reference work for anyone interested in contemporary interior design and decoration. This interior design book presents a collection of projects selected by a panel of industry experts. Through beautiful photographs and inspiring text, it will take us on a journey through some of the world’s most impressive and innovative properties, showing us how interior designers work to create unique and personalized spaces.


15. The Atlas of Furniture Design, Vitra Design Museum
The last of the interior design books we recommend offers a unique and historical perspective on the evolution of furniture design over time. The work features more than 1,700 decorative objects, spanning from the Middle Ages to the present day, including names such as Charles and Ray Eames, Le Corbusier, Eero Saarinen and many others. Through detailed photographs, plans and drawings, this reading becomes the undisputed handbook for future designers.

