By Emily ParkerUpdated November 2026
Choosing a wall color is the easy part. Deciding how paint, ceilings, murals and furniture should work together across a whole house is harder, and that is where a good home interior painting design book earns its place on the shelf. This list is built for homeowners and DIY renovators who want guidance on color planning, layout and decorative paint techniques, not just a pile of inspiration photos. Each pick was selected on four criteria: how specifically it addresses painting and color decisions, how usable its planning tools are for a real room, the reputation of the author or publisher in interior design, and the patterns owners tend to describe in their feedback, such as clarity, practicality and whether the layouts translate to ordinary homes. Nothing here is based on our own testing; these are research-based selections.
Our top picks at a glance
- 1
TOP CHOICEBest overallThe Interior Design Handbook: Furnish, Decorate, and Style Your SpaceView on Amazon - 2
TOP CHOICEBest for room-by-room planningRoom by Room: A Home Design WorkbookView on Amazon - 3
TOP CHOICEBest for a polished, cohesive lookThe Art of Home: A Designer Guide to Creating an Elevated Yet Approachable HomeView on Amazon - 4
Best for foundational design principlesNew York School of Interior Design: Home: The Foundations of Enduring SpacesView on Amazon - 5
Best for decorative ceilingsThe Painted Ceiling: Over 100 Original Designs and DetailsView on Amazon - 6
Best for murals and trompe l'oeilThe Painted House: Over 100 Original Designs for Mural and Trompe L'Oeil DecorationView on Amazon
Our Top Picks
Quick Comparison
| Product | Best for | Key feature |
|---|---|---|
| The Interior Design Handbook | Overall design planning | Broad coverage of furnishing and styling |
| Room by Room: A Home Design Workbook | Room-by-room planning | Fill-in worksheets for each space |
| The Art of Home | A polished, cohesive look | Designer approach to elevated, approachable homes |
| New York School of Interior Design: Home | Foundational design principles | Principles that guide lasting spaces |
| The Painted Ceiling | Decorative ceilings | Over 100 original ceiling designs |
| The Painted House | Murals and trompe l’oeil | Over 100 original decorative designs |
The Interior Design Handbook: Furnish, Decorate, and Style Your Space
The Interior Design Handbook: Furnish, Decorate, and Style Your Space
Best for: Overall design planning that connects paint color to furniture, lighting and accessories.
This book suits homeowners who are starting from scratch and want one reference that covers the whole process, from settling on a palette to styling the finished room. Readers who plan their own painting alongside furnishing decisions tend to find it the most practical starting point.
Key specs:
- Format: hardcover reference book
- Scope: furnishing, decorating and styling a home
Pros:
- Covers color within the larger design picture
- Useful for beginners building a plan
- Clear organization across rooms
Cons:
- Painting techniques get less space than general styling
- Less detail on specific paint finishes
Bottom line: A strong first pick for homeowners who want a single guide to the whole design process, not just paint.
Room by Room: A Home Design Workbook
Room by Room: A Home Design Workbook: Worksheets to Plan, Paint and Furnish Every Room
Best for: Room-by-room planning with hands-on worksheets.
This is the right choice for people who think best on paper. Owners often describe the worksheet format as a way to move from vague ideas to a concrete color and furniture plan for each space, which makes it well suited to planning a phased repaint.
Key specs:
- Format: workbook with planning worksheets
- Structure: organized room by room
Pros:
- Turns ideas into a written plan
- Works well for multi-room projects
- Encourages decisions before buying paint
Cons:
- Less inspirational imagery than design-photo books
- Requires writing and time to be most useful
Bottom line: Best for couples or households planning several rooms who want a structured worksheet process.
The Art of Home: A Designer Guide to Creating an Elevated Yet Approachable Home
The Art of Home: A Designer Guide to Creating an Elevated Yet Approachable Home
Best for: A polished, cohesive look across the whole house.
This book suits homeowners who want their color choices to read as a unified whole rather than room-by-room experiments. Its emphasis on approachable elegance helps with decisions about neutrals, accent walls and how one room’s tones carry into the next.
Key specs:
- Format: designer guide to home styling
- Focus: cohesive, elevated but livable interiors
Pros:
- Strong on color flow between rooms
- Balances style with everyday livability
- Helpful for choosing a whole-home palette
Cons:
- Less technical detail on paint application
- Style leans toward a specific aesthetic
Bottom line: A good pick for anyone who wants a consistent palette across connected rooms.
New York School of Interior Design: Home: The Foundations of Enduring Spaces
New York School of Interior Design: Home: The Foundations of Enduring Spaces
Best for: Foundational design principles that guide lasting color and layout decisions.
This book is aimed at readers who want to understand why certain rooms feel balanced, not just copy a look. Owners tend to value it for the principles behind scale, proportion and color, which carry over to any paint project.
Key specs:
- Format: educational design guide
- Focus: principles of enduring interior spaces
Pros:
- Explains the reasoning behind design choices
- Useful for evaluating any paint palette
- Reputable institutional source
Cons:
- More theory than step-by-step guidance
- Less visual planning help for beginners
Bottom line: Ideal for readers who want to build judgment about color and proportion rather than follow a fixed formula.
The Painted Ceiling: Over 100 Original Designs and Details
The Painted Ceiling: Over 100 Original Designs and Details
Best for: Decorative ceilings, a specialty area of home interior painting design.
Ceilings are often overlooked in a repaint, and this book is for homeowners who want to treat them as a design surface. It is most useful for those considering painted patterns, borders or decorative treatments above a room’s walls.
Key specs:
- Content: over 100 original ceiling designs
- Focus: decorative painted ceiling details
Pros:
- Large library of ceiling design ideas
- Detailed visuals for decorative work
- Adds a distinctive element to any room
Cons:
- Narrow focus on ceilings only
- Advanced designs can require skilled painting
Bottom line: For homeowners who want a decorative ceiling as a feature, not just a standard white coat.
The Painted House: Over 100 Original Designs for Mural and Trompe L’Oeil Decoration
The Painted House: Over 100 Original Designs for Mural and Trompe L'Oeil Decoration
Best for: Murals and trompe l’oeil wall decoration.
This book fits homeowners drawn to wall murals and illusionistic painting. Its designs are better suited to readers comfortable with freehand or stenciled work, and it can serve as a source of motifs for a feature wall or a hallway.
Key specs:
- Content: over 100 original decorative designs
- Focus: mural and trompe l’oeil techniques
Pros:
- Rich source of mural motifs
- Covers illusionistic decoration
- Works for both feature walls and full rooms
Cons:
- Demanding techniques for beginners
- Designs may not suit every interior style
Bottom line: Best for confident painters or those willing to hire help for an ambitious decorative wall.
Buying Guide
Scope: Paint Only or Whole-Room Design
Decide whether you need guidance on paint color alone or on how color fits with furniture, lighting and layout. Books focused on whole-room design help when you are planning several changes at once, while narrower titles suit a single decorative project.
Good picks for this: The Interior Design Handbook, Room by Room
Planning Format: Worksheets Versus Inspiration
Some readers want a workbook they can fill in, while others want visual ideas to browse. Think about how you make decisions. Worksheets help people who need structure, and photo-heavy books suit those who decide by looking.
Good picks for this: Room by Room, The Art of Home
Depth of Principles
Check whether the book explains why design choices work, such as scale, proportion and tonal balance. Principle-based titles let you judge future palettes on your own, which is useful beyond one renovation.
Good picks for this: New York School of Interior Design: Home, The Interior Design Handbook
Decorative Technique Level
Murals, trompe l’oeil and painted ceilings demand different skill levels. Before buying a technique-driven book, honestly assess your painting experience. Some designs call for layout drawing, careful measurement and multiple coats of tinted paint.
Good picks for this: The Painted Ceiling, The Painted House
Room Coverage
Check whether the book covers the rooms you plan to paint. A living room guide will not necessarily help with a bathroom or a stairwell, where moisture, lighting and traffic change the choices.
Good picks for this: Room by Room, The Interior Design Handbook
Durability and Format
Hardcover reference books hold up better on a workshop or kitchen table than paperbacks, and a sturdy binding matters if you will flip through the pages while painting. Look for good print quality, since color reproduction affects how well photos translate to paint choices.
Good picks for this: The Painted Ceiling, The Painted House
Match the Book to Your Project Stage
Early in planning, a broad overview helps you define a style. Later, a specialized title helps with execution. Matching the book to where you are in the process avoids buying detail you will not use yet.
Good picks for this: The Art of Home, New York School of Interior Design: Home
FAQ
What is home interior painting design?
It is the planning of wall, ceiling and trim colors, finishes and decorative treatments so that paint supports the layout, lighting and furnishings of a house. Good planning considers how colors look in different light and how one room’s palette connects to the next.
Do I need a design book before painting my home?
Not always, but a book can speed up decisions and prevent costly mismatches. It is especially helpful when you are repainting several connected rooms or considering a decorative feature.
How do I choose a paint color for a whole house?
Many designers recommend choosing a core neutral or a limited palette, then testing samples in each room at different times of day. Books that cover color flow between rooms are useful for this step.
Are decorative ceilings a good DIY project?
Simple border or single-color treatments can be manageable for careful DIY painters. Complex murals or trompe l’oeil work often takes practice, and some homeowners choose to hire a professional decorative painter for those parts.
Should I paint the ceiling a different color than the walls?
That depends on the room’s height and the look you want. A slightly lighter or matching tone can make a ceiling feel higher, while a deeper or patterned treatment can add character. Test samples before committing.
Can a design book replace a professional consultation?
A book can guide your thinking, but it cannot assess your specific walls, lighting, structural issues or moisture problems. For complex work or structural concerns, consult a qualified professional such as a licensed contractor or interior designer.
Conclusion
For a single all-around reference, The Interior Design Handbook is the most flexible starting point. Homeowners planning multiple rooms will get the most from Room by Room, while readers who want a cohesive whole-house look should consider The Art of Home. New York School of Interior Design: Home suits those who want to understand principles, and The Painted Ceiling and The Painted House serve readers pursuing decorative techniques. Match your pick to your planning style and your painting experience.
Sources
- Safety guidance on paints, coatings and home renovation hazards (cpsc.gov)
- Information on lead-safe practices and indoor air quality during painting projects (epa.gov)
- Guidance on home improvement planning and efficient interior finishes (energy.gov)
Related reading
- Top 5 Average Cost of Interior Home Painting Options for Homeowners (2026)
- Interior Trim Painting Ideas: 7 Finishes and Color Plans for Your Home
- Interior Painting San Antonio TX: 4 Best Local Wall Art Picks for Homes
About Emily Parker
Emily Parker is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our DIY home renovation guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.
