Today I wanted to answer a great remodeling question a reader asked me last week!
Reader Question: What is your favorite design book for getting ideas for a remodel?
I consult many design books when planning a remodel. Below are five books I return to often, with notes on how they influence my decisions and what I find most useful for shaping a thoughtful, livable home.
1. Not So Big Remodeling
This book is less about glossy inspiration photos and more about practical guidance. The author, an architect, explores the “not-so-big” approach: ways to make a house feel more livable, welcoming, and full of character without always adding square footage. I read the strategies and suggestions to help prioritize how to change spaces, improve flow, and focus on quality over size—especially useful when working with a small home.
2. Timeless
Timeless is a long-standing favorite. I study the photos to identify architectural details and classic elements I admire, and I read the commentary to understand the design intent. The homes featured are often larger than mine, but that doesn’t matter—I borrow proportions, trim details, and room relationships and adapt them to my scale. The book builds confidence in my choices and often sparks fresh ideas for combining traditional elements with practical updates.
The author’s architectural sensibility is something I respect, and studying books like this is an education: they sharpen your eye so you can bring stronger design judgment to your own projects.
3. A Pattern Language
A Pattern Language is different from most design books because it relies on ideas and diagrams rather than photographs. It’s a classic text that explains recurring solutions to architectural and spatial problems. Reading it requires concentration, but it rewards you with a deeper understanding of why some spaces feel right and others do not. The concepts help me articulate why I prefer certain room layouts, connections between spaces, and neighborhood patterns—valuable when planning significant changes or designing new layouts.
Although some editions can be pricey, check libraries or used copies if you want to explore its rich theoretical framework. For anyone who wants to understand the reasoning behind design choices, it’s a valuable resource.
4. The Great American House
This is a book I enjoy keeping on a coffee table. When remodeling I often look to architecture-focused books for inspiration more than purely decorating volumes. The Great American House highlights details—woodwork, ceiling treatments, hardware, and floor patterns—that make a house feel authentic and well-crafted. Flipping through pages of thoughtfully designed homes helps me identify specific details I might incorporate or reinterpret in my own projects.
5. A Place to Call Home
This is one of my all-time favorites. The author, an architect, showcases beautifully considered homes and classic design vocabulary. Not every featured room matches my personal taste, but many images and details are endlessly inspiring. I return to this book when I want to savor exceptional craftsmanship and thoughtful room planning—it always fuels new ideas for how to elevate finishes and proportions in my own remodels.
Do you enjoy studying design books when planning a remodel? I hope this peek at a few of my favorites helps you find resources that inspire thoughtful design choices for your home.