My top 8 design books to reflect your interior style

Design research is an adventure in creativity! Dive into captivating design books and soak in the ambience of stylish restaurants, chic hotels, mesmerising art galleries, and enchanting gardens—both near and far. Pay attention to the styles, colour pairings, patterns, and materials that spark joy and fit your project. Every place you visit can be a source of inspiration. Expand your design knowledge and make your choices with confidence and flair.

Here are 8 interior design styles and the accompanying books I would recommend:

1. Eclectic Style 

This playful blend of various styles creates a unique and vibrant aesthetic. It's all about mixing and matching colours, textures, shapes, and finishes in a harmonious and balanced way. The magic of eclectic design lies in its ability to make a cohesive statement, where every piece feels intentionally placed, no matter how diverse. So, go ahead and have fun experimenting, bringing together the unexpected to craft a space that's distinctly you!

Lola Loves: Every Room Tells A Story Kit kemp 

This book showcases Kit Kemp's inspiring interiors and reveals the stories behind each room. Known for her eclectic style, Kit blends contemporary and antique elements, using scale, colour, and pattern to create handcrafted spaces. Featuring insights into her creative process and artist collaborations, this book highlights her unique ability to make every space tell a story.

2. Traditional/Timeless 

Step into a world of timeless charm with a style that celebrates classic and elegant historical characteristics. This look encompasses quality craftsmanship, perfect symmetry, and ornate period features. The colours are typically muted and neutral, letting the exquisite details shine. It’s a style that favours quality over quantity, creating warm, sophisticated, and inviting spaces that make you feel right at home in a bygone era.

Lola Loves: Heritage Style: A fresh new take on traditional design by Selina Lake 

Heritage style combines traditional charm with modern comfort. It uses panelling, floral fabrics, and heritage paint colours as backdrops for house plants and contemporary crafts. Upholstered furniture and vintage pieces from online auctions or Instagram create a warm, inviting, and sustainable home that's both modern and nostalgic.

3. Maximalism 

Maximalism is all about embracing colour, pattern, and texture to create vibrant and expressive designs. Imagine layering florals with animal prints and geometric shapes while mixing materials like velvet and leather for eye-catching contrast. Go bold with large abstract artwork and distinctive furniture pieces that make a statement. Showcase your collections, unique finds, and personal mementoes to add heaps of character and personality. It's a style that’s fearless, fun, and uniquely you!

Lola Loves: Be Bold with Colour and Pattern by Emily Henson 

Fresh greens, uplifting pinks, and moody blues are popular alongside the rise of statement wallpapers. Retro patterns like polka dots are making a comeback, reflecting a bold, individualistic aesthetic. In "Be Bold with Colour and Pattern," Emily embraces this trend, demonstrating how to integrate it into any home effortlessly.

4. Mid-Century

Mid-Century Modern: This vintage-inspired style emphasises simplicity and functionality, showcasing iconic furniture pieces from the 1950s and 60s in uncluttered spaces. Colours tend towards a neutral palette, complemented by bold floral and geometric patterns, along with natural wooden accents.

Lola Loves: Mid-Century Modern at Home: A Room-by-Room by DC Hillier

This handbook shows how to create a tailor-made home inspired by the iconic designs of this period. Working through the home one room at a time, the book highlights classic items of furniture and signature accessories. In-depth case studies demonstrate the essential elements and provide inspiration. Colour combinations are explored to help personalise these inventive styles for the home.

5. Art Deco

Art Deco originated in France in the 1920s and is characterised by luxurious materials such as marble, brass, and chrome. It emphasises symmetry and balance in design, utilising geometric shapes to create patterns on walls, furniture, and flooring. Bold colours like black, gold, and silver are juxtaposed with vibrant hues such as red, blue, and green to evoke a sense of drama and sophistication.

Lola Loves: Elements of Style Erin Gates

Elements of Style is a personal and practical decorating guide emphasising home design as self-expression. Drawing on a decade of expertise, Erin blends honest advice with beautiful photography and personal anecdotes. Organised by rooms, the book offers modern insights into Art Deco-inspired decorating, with tips on kitchen materials and nursery décor. It includes a comprehensive Resource and Shopping Guide, essential for first-time decorators looking to transform their house into a home with Erin's expert guidance.

6. Scandinavian minimalist 

Scandinavian minimalist interior design is all about creating a serene, uncluttered space that combines functionality with beauty.

By focusing on simplicity, functionality, and natural beauty, Scandinavian minimalist design creates a peaceful and inviting home.

Lola Loves: Scandi Rustic: Creating a cozy & happy home by Rebecca Lawson

Award-winning bloggers and Instagram stars Reena Simon and Rebecca Lawson are celebrated for their love of Scandinavian design. In their debut book, Scandi Rustic, they share how to create a home that blends the clean lines of Scandinavian style with the warmth of rustic natural materials. Join Rebecca and Reena on a journey across the UK and Europe, discovering stunning Scandi Rustic homes. Whether you live in an urban apartment, a country cottage, or a new-build, their relaxed, sustainable, and cosy style will transform your space into an inviting haven.

7. Industrial

Industrial interior design celebrates raw, unfinished aesthetics, with exposed brick walls, concrete floors, and visible ductwork. Featuring metal and wood furnishings, oversized windows, and a neutral colour palette of greys, blacks, and browns, it combines vintage charm with modern minimalism. This style uses repurposed materials to create a chic, edgy space that is both stylish and functional.

Lola Loves: Industrial Interiors: Iron & Wood by David Andreu Bach 

Industrial style, or "industrial chic," has been all the rage since the early 2000s, drawing inspiration from old factories and warehouses turned into trendy lofts. Think weathered wood, exposed brick, industrial lighting, and concrete. These spaces are known for their high ceilings, large windows, and unique finishes.  This interior design guide dives into the essence of industrial style and its impact on modern homes and hospitality spaces.

8. Bohemian 

Bohemian interior design embraces a free-spirited, eclectic style, blending vibrant colours, diverse patterns, and a mix of textures. It features an array of globally inspired elements like ethnic rugs, vintage furniture, and abundant greenery. Layering textiles and accessories, boho design creates a cosy, personalised space that feels warm and inviting, reflecting the individuality and creativity of its inhabitants.

Lola Loves: Living Bright: Fashioning Colourful Interiors by Matthew Williamson

Bursting with inspiring images from his own bohemian-style homes in London and Mallorca, Living Bright is your ultimate guide to colourful, free-spirited living. With easy instructions, discover which shades speak to your soul and transform any space—big or small—into a vibrant, eclectic haven. Say goodbye to boring and embrace boho interiors that lift your mood without breaking the bank. Whether you love serene soft pinks, lively mustard yellows, earthy olive greens, or rich regal purples, there's a perfect boho shade for every home and everyone. Let's get colourful and bohemian!

Thinking of transforming your home? Not sure what your Interior Style is? Take part in our quick quiz to help you determine you interior style to get you started on you project!

Happy designing!

Lola x