The display of floral materials is an integral part of interior design. For that reason, here are reviews of some decorating books that will help with the process of showing off your floral creations.

For starters, there’s “The Complete Illustrated Idiot’s Guide to Decorating Basics” by Mary Ann Young from Alpha Books. This no-nonsense guide is comprehensive enough for both beginners and the experienced. It brings a thorough background on the basics, and walks readers through the process one element and room at a time. It also includes helpful planning tools, such as graph paper and furniture templates. In addition, there are helpful chapters devoted to accessories, and inexpensive makeovers, and finishing touches. This is illustrated with helpful line drawings and lush full-color photos.

“The Home Furnishings Workbook” by Katrin Cargill from Ryland, Peters and Small presents over 200 tips and 32 step-by-step projects. This helpful guide covers window treatments, lampshades, pillows, and bed linens. The styles cover a wide range from the rustic to the chic and elegant. The author presents all the techniques and items that are needed. The quick and easy projects provide a list of materials and equipment with complete, color illustrated, step-by-step directions.

“The Naked Wall” by Anne Bold-Pryor et al from Watson-Guptill takes readers through the decorating process by explaining all of the different wall options for various rooms. The authors give details and step-by-step directions on different projects and techniques. Among the covered topics are wall paper, painting, stenciling, and a host of other options, such as tile along with displaying artworks, mirrors, collections, and the like. Fully illustrated in lush color, this title emphasizes affordable, quick methods for quick results.

“Influential Styles” by Judith Miller focuses on the period of history from the Baroque to the present. From Watson-Guptill, this has become a classic, and features over 400 lush color photos. This particular volume provides details on all the furnishings and in-depth histories of each style with numerous examples showing how these can be used in contemporary settings. For each period, the author covers the architecture, colors and patterns, furniture, and rooms. The appendix features a directory of sources.

“At Home with Color” by Matthew and Grainne Dennison was published by Ryland, Peters and Small. This book provides a refreshing alternative to the usual whites and neutrals. The lush color photos bring the rooms to life, and reveal the interest and excitement that can result from carefully incorporating color throughout the house from bathrooms to entrances. For each situation, the authors give numerous examples, and provide background explaining why and how the color scheme is so effective.

How do you take bargain items and create a unified look? This issue is cleverly addressed in “Junk Style” by Melanie Molesworth, also from Ryland, Peters and Small. The author explains how and where to find good-quality items on the cheap and combine them to create a unique, personal decorating style. She shows what sort of things to look for and how to evaluate their usability. A chapter is devoted to each group of items. The second part of this guide provides the decorating basics on how to use the results of your bargain hunting throughout the house.

When personal comfort is a top priority, the bet source of information by far is “The Relaxed Home-Creating Comfortable Rooms with a Romanic Feel” by Atlanta Bartlett. This was released by Ryland, Peters and Small. Using a number of styles or examples, the author explains the elements and techniques she used to create the desired look. The second half of the book is a full-color illustrated guide to particular attention to each kind of room, including home offices.

“Creative Spaces-Hundreds of Stylish Ideas for Kitchens, Bedrooms, and Bathrooms” from BBC/Hylas Publishing is perfect for beginners. This easy to use book devotes an entire section to each kind of room with enough examples to suit most every type of situation. Among the featured styles are contemporary, classic, Shaker, retro, and country. For each example, there is a complete discussion of the various elements and techniques that work together to create a unified look. The emphasis is on simple and easy options with efficient use of space and money.