What Makes Some Architectural Magazines Amazing?
Knowing the latest trends and how to use them is one of the critical aspects of your success as an interior designer. But focusing only on what’s popular on social media is the wrong approach.
It’s important for interior designers to know where to source their information.
And yes, social media trends can be a good pointer about what people currently want. But Instagram and Pinterest hardly give you the insights necessary to create a truly compelling interior.
Why?
The information you get is only skin-deep. Social media posts don’t often include guidelines on how to design or interpret a particular place. Plus, they may lack key insights as to what could be considered an evergreen element or design feature.
And that’s where magazines come in, physical or digital.
Of course, there are tons of publications out there that you can look at yourself. But this article provides you with a curated selection based on the quality of information offered.
And yes, it’s the value and actionable tips that make an architectural magazine amazing. So, let’s see which ones stand out from the bunch.
3D Image by: Duke Renders
The Magazines
#1 - Architectural Digest
One look at Architectural Digest and you’ll understand its tagline, “The international design authority”. But this isn’t only wishful thinking.
For decades, the magazine has been the go-to publication for the latest and most remarkable architecture and interior design.
One of its main assets is the combination of shopping, culture, and travel for an all-encompassing perspective of the lifestyle elements that influence architecture.
Architectural Digest takes you into iconic homes to explore how space was decorated and designed to reflect the homeowner’s desires and the designer’s aesthetics.
This magazine is geared towards professionals and design-savvy homeowners. But it’s also a great source of inspiration for average readers who are wondering what to do with their space.
#2 - Coveted
Coveted is considered the most influential and trendy magazine in the interior design and architecture space.
That’s because it provides resources for some of the world’s top collectors of luxury furnishing, decorations, and art.
Within the magazine, you’ll find curated editorials of top-tier design projects. There are exclusive interviews with renowned collectors, designers, and luxury brands.
Overall, this is one of the best publications to source design cues and inspiration if you’re targeting the high end of the market. It’s also a great place to get ideas on transforming an ordinary space.
3D Image by: Duke Renders
#3 - Interior Design
This magazine needs no introduction. Interior Design has earned its reputation as one of the most invaluable resources for architects and designers alike.
More importantly, this magazine offers up-to-date industry news, innovations, and projects that will take your breath away. Better yet, everything comes with explanations, reviews, and detailed descriptions of why and how a project was ordered.
Also, Interior Design offers in-depth research into topics of interest that can put you a step ahead of the competition.
#4 - Traditional Home
Picture a client handing you a beautiful but run-down historic mansion that needs a lot of TLC.
For such a daunting and exciting project, there isn’t a better place to source ideas than Traditional Home.
The publication explores historic homes and decors to help you bring bygone times and aesthetics to life. And it’s rich in tips about furniture styles, traditional color palettes, and classic trims and moldings.
Of course, the magazine takes you into some of the most memorable historic homes and mansions. Plus, you get detailed explanations of the critical elements and interior design solutions.
However, the biggest asset of Traditional Home is advice on how to convert historic decor and architecture into contemporary homes.
#5 - Design Milk
Offering a mix of interior designs, home furnishings, and architectural insights, this magazine has no shortage of information that can help you.
The focus is on extraordinary solutions and design elements, with actionable tips on how these could be incorporated into space. Design Milk also features co-working space and home office ideas aimed at creating comfortable and productive areas.
There are also reviews about the best-designed products and technologies that can take contemporary homes into the future.
The Style section is particularly interesting with all sorts of insights into the aesthetics and philosophy of other designers.
#6 - Wallpaper
Another highly influential magazine, Wallpaper has been tracking and setting industry trends since 1996.
The magazine offers reviews of hard-to-find interior design gems you might not find in other publications.
10 years ago, the July issue featured a fantastic boutique hotel in Belgrade, Serbia, something rarely seen on the covers of other magazines.
But the draw of this magazine is interior design tips aimed at particular client avatars. For instance, you might find the best design solutions for religious communities in one issue and the ideal layouts of sacred spaces in the next.
Of course, the religious example is just one of the niche themes covered. There are plenty of other topics for a range of interior design solutions.
#7 - Dwell
Dwell’s tagline of “at home in the modern world” exemplifies the magazine’s goal to promote sustainable living, architecture, and design.
And since 2010, this publication has been among the top authorities on the incorporation of energy-saving, upcycling, and sustainability into interior and home design.
You’ll find listicles of top products in the category and great home improvement ideas (the bathroom, for example).
The magazine regularly prints news about smart homes and other innovations that improve a home’s efficiency. Moreover, the best thing is that you don’t need an engineering degree to understand everything.
Dwell is among the easiest reads, perhaps why it’s so popular with professionals and regular people.
#8 - This Old House
As an interior designer, you’re likely to tackle home remodelling and repairs. And the tips found in This Old House are bound to make your job easier.
On the surface, the magazine might appear to target homeowners. But just leafing through the publication should tell you that it is an excellent resource for professionals.
This Old House shares tried and tested techniques from artisans and craftsmen. These alone could be invaluable for dealing with specific problems on-site.
And there are also tips from design specialists on how to upgrade the interior elements easily and affordably.
#9 - Decorating Shortcuts
The name says it all.
This magazine is a one-stop shop for how to spend less and do more without compromising your style or the client’s desires.
Decorating Shortcuts is like a collage of tips about fabrics, decor, furnishings, and DIY home improvement. For example, a few years back, the magazine featured a highly useful spread on how to paint stripes.
Sure, you won’t be doing the work yourself. But it’s always good to know what the craftsmen need to get the job done.
Additionally, this magazine explores basic design principles and where and how you can deviate for a stylish effect.
#10 - Design Bureau
If you want to diversify your aesthetics and design philosophy, Design Bureau is the publication to check out.
The magazine claims to promote an honest dialogue with some of the best designers and other relevant experts. In doing so, it hopes to broaden your perspective about art, style, and creativity.
There’s a whole community around this publication, including international creative professionals. The unique perspective helps you uncover iconic designs in the making and the minds that are bringing them to the world.
Furthermore, this is one of a handful of architecture and interior publications that regularly cover graphic design and its place in interior design.
Grab Your Copy
Given the type and quality of information offered in the above magazines, it would be wrong to assume that the first one is better than the tenth.
Instead, you should consider the list as a library of must-read publications to keep up with the evolution of the interior design industry.
From expert interviews to simple home-improvement tips, these magazines have everything you’re going to need as an interior designer. That being said, the idea isn’t to copy whatever designs you see there.
Use these magazines only as style guides on how to approach a specific venue or client.
More importantly, take advantage of the international content to find outstanding design elements and solutions that would work great for your domestic clients.
For more tips on how to find resources and boost your interior design business, schedule a strategy call with Duke Renders at https://www.dukerenders.com/call
