For designers, there is an inexplicable excitement that comes with the act of flipping through a beautiful design magazine. From the moment you see the envelope-wrapped magazine in your mailbox to the comforting smell of fresh print and the rustling of the paper as you devour every single detail, it's a magical experience. While digital technology has made interior design easily accessible, the attraction of good old design magazines remains. In this article, we will explore the most popular design magazines that designers are gushing over.
Architectural Digest - An Iconic Magazine (Monthly, Except July/August Combined Issue)
First published in 1920, Architectural Digest is an excellent magazine that delivers quality articles, beautiful photographs, and extensive interviews with designers and architects from around the world. It has stood the test of time and continues to inspire design enthusiasts.
Architectural Digest France Edition - A Blend of Tradition and Modernity (Bimonthly)
The French edition of Architectural Digest is highly popular not just in France but also in the United States. It focuses on the changing aspects of interior decoration with the changing times, blending both traditional and modern designs. It is a great source for inspiring creativity.
The Best Interior Design Magazines
Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles - Stunning Designs (Monthly)
Published since 1983, Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles magazine is one of America's most popular design magazines. It stands out for having more content and fewer advertisements. Designers praise the stunning designs featured in this magazine.
Better Homes and Gardens - A Collection of Inspiration (Monthly)
Better Homes and Gardens provides a vast collection of beautiful interior pictures, along with articles on the latest trends and design styles, as well as some DIY inspiration. Despite an increase in advertisements over the years, it remains a huge hit among designers.
California Home and Design - High-End Inspiration (Monthly)
Focusing on high-end homes and gardens, CA Home and Design is a popular magazine that offers great sources and products for your next interior design project. It keeps you updated about California-style tastes and trends.
Dwell - For the Modern Design Enthusiast (Bimonthly)
Dwell is filled with beautiful images that inspire creativity, particularly for modern or mid-century modern design enthusiasts. The magazine also addresses innovation in materials and building concepts.
The Best Interior Design Magazines
Elle Decoration France Edition - Stay Trendy (9 Issues a Year)
While the American Elle Decor is a hot favorite, the France edition, known as Elle Decoration, is an excellent inspiration guide for designers looking for the latest trends and styles in interior decor.
Elle Decoration UK Edition - Design Aesthetics Worldwide (Monthly)
Similar to the France edition, Elle Decor's British edition, known as Elle Decoration, provides great insight into the design aesthetics of Europe and the rest of the world.
Elle Decor US Edition - Fresh and Chic Content (9 Issues a Year)
Elle Decor is known for its fresh and chic content. While some complain about the increasing number of advertisements, many designers consider it their go-to magazine for design inspiration.
The Best Interior Design Magazines
Florida Design Magazine - A Treasure Trove of Ideas (Quarterly)
Florida Design Magazine covers a wide range of topics, including architecture, interior design, and furnishings. With its high-quality pictures, it is widely popular among designers across the States.
House Beautiful - Elegant and Practical Styles (8 Issues a Year)
House Beautiful is loved by designers for its elegant and practical styles. Despite being loaded with advertisements, designers are drawn to its colorful content and great ideas.
House & Home - Clean, Modern, and Scandinavian (Monthly)
One of the most popular magazines in North America, House & Home provides designers with an insightful understanding of interior designs that espouse clean, modern, and Scandinavian aesthetics.
Interior Design - Inspiration for Professionals (16 Issues a Year)
Geared towards professional interior designers, Interior Design magazine provides abundant content and information about products and materials. It serves as a great source of inspiration, especially for commercial design projects.
The Best Interior Design Magazines
Southern Living - Design and Classic Recipes (Monthly)
Southern Living consists of great design inspiration along with classic recipes. While some may enjoy stumbling upon recipes while looking for design ideas, others prefer their design magazines to focus purely on design.
Style at Home - Fresh Decorating Ideas (Monthly)
Another Canadian publication loved by designers, Style at Home features fresh decorating ideas that can be reinterpreted into American homes. Well written and packed with beautiful images, it is easily one of America's favorite design magazines.
The Best Interior Design Magazines
This Old House - Great Content for DIY Enthusiasts (Bimonthly)
This Old House provides great content and ideas that can draw in the DIY crowd. It offers lots of ideas on home improvement, although some readers feel it doesn't focus as much on craftsmanship as it used to.
Traditional Home - Modernity in Classic Spaces (Quarterly)
Formerly a monthly publication, Traditional Home is now published on a quarterly basis. It showcases beautiful images of modern homes and classic spaces, which some find contrasting with the name of the magazine.
Veranda - Glossy Pictures and Insight (Bimonthly)
Veranda's glossy pictures of beautiful interiors have had designers hooked for years. Despite some complaints about its thinness in recent times, it is still packed with inspirational interviews, images, and insights.
Vogue Living - Coffee Table Book Inspiration (Monthly)
Vogue Living is perfect if you're looking for a beautiful coffee table book filled with high-quality images of homes from around the world. It also features stories of homeowners that inspire creativity and innovation.
World of Interiors - Creativity, Innovation, and Uniqueness (Monthly)
With 40 years of circulation, the UK's World of Interiors magazine offers carefully curated creative, innovative, and unusual designs, making it a popular choice among designers.
In conclusion, reading a design magazine is a truly uplifting experience for designers. They provide a constant stream of inspiration for client projects and showhouses. While digital subscriptions are eco-friendly and convenient, the essence of flipping through the pages of a physical magazine cannot be replicated. So don't overlook these carefully curated sources of inspiration. While blogs and social media have democratized the media landscape, the above publications continue to offer superior content.
Which design magazines are your favorites, and why? Did we miss out on any? Let us know in the comments below.
