Sometimes, it can be hard to get up the motivation to tackle that DIY project you’ve been meaning to do for weeks. And even if you have the enthusiasm, you might be put off by a lack of experience, skills or a clear vision. Luckily, there are plenty of home renovation books out there to provide a helping hand, so there’s no need to stall any longer.
We’ve found some of the most useful and inspirational reads on the market. From deep dives into the specifics of interior design to personal journeys of dream home renovations, these books span a huge range of topics.
Take a look below to find our favourite home renovation books.
Wondering how to achieve a sustainable renovation? Check out our full guide to eco-friendly renovating here!
8 brilliant home renovation books to add to your bookshelf
Living the Château Dream
If, like us, you’re a little too obsessed with home renovation shows, you’ve probably heard of Channel 4’s Escape to the Château. It follows the journey of Dick and Angel Strawbridge, who moved out of a two-bed London flat in 2015 to restore a derelict château in the Loire Valley.
Living the Château Dream is the follow-up book to the couple’s first literary bestseller, A Year at the Château. It reveals more about the process of restoring the ancient building and creating both a welcoming family home and successful business.
Mad About the House Planner: Your Home, Your Story
It’s always useful to keep a notebook or planner handy when you’re renovating your home. With so much going on, it’s easy to make silly mistakes, lose motivation and, of course, go over budget.
This planner, from Kate Watson-Smyth, author of the UK’s top interiors blog The Great Indoors, will help you keep tabs on the various aspects of your home renovation. You can monitor the jobs you need to do, when you need to do them, the people you employ and how much you’re spending. There are even pages for checklists, floor plans and inspiration boards.
Plus, there’s lots of advice on making sure you achieve your vision successfully, sustainably and cost-effectively.
For more tips, take a look at Kate Watson-Smyth’s home renovation book, Mad About the House: 101 Interior Design Answers.
Farrow & Ball, How to Decorate
Widely regarded as one of the UK’s top paint brands, Farrow & Ball knows a thing or two about how to decorate homes. In 2016, it celebrated its 70th birthday by releasing this insightful home renovation book, written by Joa Studholme and Charlotte Cosby, who work for the iconic company.
Inside, you’ll find tips on choosing and applying the right colours for each room in your home. So, if you need some advice from the pros or just struggle with indecision, this is the book for you.
The White Company, For the Love of White
Creating a light and airy feel, neutral décor styles have become increasingly popular in recent years, fuelled by the pristine white and taupe schemes showcased by countless social media influencers.
As a result, The White Company’s book has become something of a cult classic among interior design obsessives. And with its white dust jacket, it looks great on your coffee table - perfect.
It’s an ode to ‘white’ interior design schemes, filled with beautiful photography of impressive homes. While most of the spaces featured are out of reach for most people’s budgets, it certainly makes a case for ‘white’ and provides plenty of styling inspiration.
Elements of Style: Designing a Home & a Life
For practical advice and honest accounts of tried and tested renovation projects, read Elements of Style by interior designer and blogger Erin Gates. A useful resource to keep at hand, it includes handy insights into the process of renovating a home - the sort of advice you’d get from experienced friends and family members.
The author explains how to solve common dilemmas like choosing a sofa and dressing a bed while staying true to your personal style. For new homeowners, there’s a helpful shopping guide as well.
Scandi Rustic: Creating a Cozy & Happy Home
Fans of Scandi style, gather round. Another favourite among neutral décor lovers, this guide to Scandinavian design has found a place on bookshelves up and down the UK.
Not only does it provide helpful tips and stunning photographs, but it also plays into neutral, Scandi schemes itself with its taupe cover. So, it’ll help you achieve the look before you even read it.
An homage to hygge, this home renovation book takes you through the separate elements of Scandinavian design and how to implement them, no matter your type of property.
House of Hoppen: A Retrospective
During her impressive career, Kelly Hoppen MBE has designed interior schemes for luxury yachts and British Airways’ first-class cabins, as well as both residential and commercial properties. She’s also been on the Dragon’s Den judging panel.
House of Hoppen is one of the designer’s eight books, and revisits her favourite creations with exclusive photos. It carefully examines some of the key themes, styles and colours from across her many projects, so it’s a must for Hoppen fans and design fanatics alike.
Resourceful Living: Revamp Your Home with Key Pieces, Vintage Finds and Creative Repurposing
Home renovation is a great way to transform the look of a space - but it can be pretty damaging, not only for your bank account, but for the environment too.
Luckily, repurposing the treasures you have and choosing second-hand finds over shop-bought items can help you avoid ‘fast fashion’ and save some money. And as thrifting and upcycling become ever-more popular, it’s increasingly easy to adopt sustainable habits.
Tapping into her personal experiences, writer, influencer and workshop host Lisa Dawson guides us through the process of transforming your home resourcefully and lists her favourite thrifted finds.
After more reading material? Find our favourite interior design books to help you create beautiful and practical home décor schemes.