The Best Books About Small-Space Design
What are the best books about small space design? Earlier this year, the book recommendation site Shepherd posed this question to me, and I shared my five favorite books about small-space design. I was limited to books currently in print, so some of my favorite books from my personal library didn’t make the cut. But it was still hard to narrow down my picks to just five titles when there are so many great books about small spaces. I thought I’d share my picks here too:
- Small Space Style by Whitney Leigh Morris
I couldn’t agree more with the subtitle to Whitney’s book “Because You Don’t Need to Live Large to Live Beautifully.” Small Space Style is jam-packed with ideas for how to maximize a small space with a focus on doable, do-it-yourself projects that work for renters. Plus, the book has tons of photographs of Whitney’s former home, a tiny one-bedroom cottage in Venice Beach. This book is for anyone with an itch to DIY or loves the boho, Cali style.
2. Country Living Tiny Homes by the editors of Country Living Magazine
Do not be deterred by the words “country” and “tiny” in this book’s title! This is a fantastic collection of small-ish homes that ran in the American edition of Country Living magazine. There are only a couple actual tiny homes–most are more in the range of 1,000 or so feet. Likewise, very few of the homes are deeply “country” in style; instead, the overall look of the interiors is a fresh take on farmhouse style–with urban apartments and minimalist homes in the mix. The photography is beautiful, and there are so many homes included that this is a great value for its cover price.
3. Simple Matters by Erin Boyle
This book is not specifically about small spaces, but it would be a valuable addition to any small-space library for its message of living with less and conscious consumption. I discovered Erin’s writing and her blog Reading My Tea Leaves when I was a new mom looking for examples of families choosing to live in small spaces. Erin’s book Simple Matters is one I turn back to whenever I need a fresh burst of inspiration to declutter, simplify, and embrace a slower style of homekeeping. Simple Matters is not a coffee table book, it is meant to be picked up and read.
4. The Not So Big House by Sarah Susanka
There is a reason this book was a best-seller when it came out in 1998: It is full of wisdom about how to create a deeply personal home that is right-sized to your life. The interiors in The Not So Big House feel a little dated nearly 25 years later (and are not to my personal tastes, which skew more modern), but I still consider this book a must-read for anyone building or renovating a small home. I also love Sara’s book for its quality over quantity message that helped shift the conversation about homes when it debuted. I own all of Susanka’s books and they are filled with post-it notes because they are referenced often.
5. The Monocle Guide to Cosy Homes by the editors of Monocle
There are dozens of small-space books that I could have chosen for decor inspiration, but this one from Monocle is a personal favorite, in part because the photos, while gorgeous, are not overly styled. It features homes from around the world, including many in Europe, and most are primary residences, not guest houses or weekend homes that often fill small-space books. Much like the magazine, this book opens with several thoughtful essays on what it means to live in a “cosy” space. With its linen cover and hefty size, it would make a great housewarming gift for anyone living in a small space.
What are your favorite small-space design books? I’d love to hear your picks in the comments!