Grad Design Guide: Books to Help You Get Started

"Apartment Therapy Presents:

Real Homes, Real People, Hundreds of Real Design Solutions," by Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan (Chronicle Books, 2008, $27.50). Small-space design problems and solutions with lots of affordable sources.

"Domino: The Book of Decorating," by Deborah Needleman, Sara Ruffin Costello and Dara Caponigro (Simon & Schuster, 2008, $32). An all-around great room-by-room decorating guide with tips on helping you find your style and mixing and matching furniture, plus decorating tricks. It's great-looking, too, so it will be pretty on a coffee table.

"Flip! for Decorating," by Elizabeth Mayhew (Ballantine Books, 2009, $24). A guidebook on the basics of decorating with step-by-step instructions for a living room, dining room, family room and bedroom. Tips on picking out furniture are especially helpful.

"House Beautiful Colors for Your Home" (Hearst Books, 2008, $14.95). Having trouble picking paint colors? This is your guide, a collection of paint selections from professional designers.

"The Nest Home Design Handbook," by Carley Roney (Clarkson Potter, 2008, $22.95). A cheery manual that combines practical advice with beautifully styled interiors. A list of Web resources and tips on decorating, organizing, furniture placement, arranging art and housekeeping are included.

"The Pocket Decorator," by Pamela Banker and Leslie Banker (Rizzoli, 2004, $19.95). A portable primer and handy reference guide on all things home-related, from wall treatments, window treatments and furniture finishes to floor coverings and upholstery.