The Best Interior Design Magazines
As many of you know, I have a history in print design- which basically means I still subscribe to magazines. Living in a digital age, I’m probably the anomaly, but I really enjoy having a tactile experience when it comes to my interior inspiration. I love spending time with books & magazines, flipping through pages, tearing out inspiring vignettes, jotting down notes that come to mind, and writing directly on the pages while I read. I’m the girl who always chooses a hard copy over a downloaded version. I think there is something to be said & appreciated about the experience print design brings us. Rather than logging more screen time, I prefer thumbing through the glossy pages and printed text. Over the years, I’ve also began to correlate time spent with books & magazines as “me time”. It feels like a special moment to unwind or find inspiration. My books & magazines often accompany a hot soak in the tub, relaxing by the fireplace, morning coffee- or an evening cocktail. Today, I wanted to share my favorite interior design magazines with you. If you’re also looking to log more hours with books this year, don’t forget about magazines. Click through for my top recommendations and the ones I currently subscribe to…
To start… I made a discovery last year that was a bit of a game changer. Did you know you can subscribe to magazines on Amazon? I prefer to do it that way because I can manage all of my subscriptions in one place. I just started doing that last year and it helps me see all that I’m subscribed to, and I can easily pick & choose which ones to continue or renew. If you want magazines to show up monthly or quarterly- I definitely think that’s the easiest way to do it. Otherwise, if you’re just looking for one every once in awhile- check your local shops and bookstores!
Let’s dive into my list. These magazines continue to be my favorite when it comes to design… from the interiors, editorial pieces, layout, and typography, these are my top picks & best recommendations:
Click directly on the magazines to be redirected to the subscription page- or use the numbered links below the browse…
01: elle decoration // 02: milieu // 03: world of interiors // 04: house & garden // 05: dwell // 06: veranda // 07: elle decor // 08: the english home // 09: country homes & interiors // 10: coastal living // 11: living etc // 12: house beautiful // 13: architectural digest // 14: traditional home // 15: atlanta homes // 16: southern living
Some of these are more expensive than others, some arrive more frequently, and of course there are varying aesthetics & content in each. If you’re curious which ones I’m currently subscribed to, I’m committed to four at the moment… in order from my most favorite: Milieu, World of Interiors, House & Garden, and Country Homes & Interiors UK.
Quick tip… search for UK versions of your favorite magazines. For example, I actually prefer Elle Decoration (UK) as opposed to Elle Decor that we’re accustomed to seeing here in the states.
Here are some ways I enjoy my magazines, if you’re looking to expand your interior inspiration / entertainment collection, self care routine, or just need a few reasons to start a subscription this year…
- I bring them along during my travels for in-flight or road trip entertainment… it’s the most fun & productive way to pass the time.
- I’ll run a bath and read while I soak & relax.
- I’ll begin my day with coffee and a magazine, if there is one I really can’t wait to dig into.
- It gives me something to look forward to each month or season.
- I use them for styling… shelf & surface styling, in particular (built-ins, coffee table, console, credenza, etc).
- I snip vignettes from them and pin them on my office board, to remind me of ideas an image sparked.
- I’ll share & trade them with friends who also love design… it’s always fun to swap and see what other’s are reading- that’s how I found out about a few of these.
- I usually read before bed (I try to avoid screen time at night). If I’m not reading a good book, I’ll always grab a magazine for those in-between times.
- I’ll cozy up with a new magazine in front of the fire on a rainy or dreary day to boost my mood.
- I refer to them for work. As I’m curating items for the Tuesday Made shop or our home, magazines are especially helpful in determining what’s popular.
If you’re looking for more print-based design recommendations, be sure to check out the following sources I’ve curated…
- Recommended Interior Design Books
- Book Club Reads
- My Tips for Thrifting Books
- Top Coffee Table Books
- Helpful Home Improvement, Architecture, & Design Books
- Cookbooks
- 10 Tips for Shelf Styling with Books
Here’s to more reading & design inspiration in the year ahead! That’s one goal I set that I’m very much looking forward to completing. My sister got me started on the Good Reads app– it tracks your reading and recommends books you might enjoy. Does anyone else use it? While I may seem like the reader in my family… I probably read the least out of my siblings. My brother is an english professor who reads medieval lit novels on the daily and my sister finished 68(!) books for fun last year. How is that even possible?! They’re insane… but in the best way. Have a lovely weekend!
