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What Makes a Good Homemaker?
This question has been asked over and over again. Honestly, it means different things to different people and cultures. Personally, my answer would be diversity. The list of 15 of the best homemaking books represents that diversity. Homemaking is a massive topic. It’s not just cleaning, organizing and cooking. Those are definitely key components, but depending on the individual, also includes much more.
Ultimately, you need to decide what skills will make YOU a good homemaker. Maybe you want to DIY things. You may want to knit for your home and family. You may want to learn how to arrange flowers or grow an herb garden. All of this falls under the topic of homemaking. The homemaking books below cover a variety of basics, but ultimately you decide which subjects are relative to your idea of home.
Another thing I wanted to mention, is that while this may be obvious to some people, not everyone realizes what a treasure trove of knowledge can be found in books such as the ones listed below. If I want to learn a new skill, I head to the library. For things that require visual learning, (such as knitting) YouTube will most likely have what you need. Utilizing your local library and the internet, you can learn most skills for free.
Below, I’ve listed a varied assortment of some of my personal favorite homemaking books. These have all been vetted by me, personally. It will give you a great starting point to grow in your homemaking journey.
Here are some other posts you may enjoy
- Homemade Laundry Detergent
- The Emotional Side of Decluttering
- Apple Cheesecake Crumble
- Wild Rice Soup That’s Perfect for The Holidays
My Favorite Homemaking Books
As a homemaker, I understand that not every day is Instagram worthy. Some days you just don’t have the motivation to do all of the things. Sometimes your children are sick, your schedules get crazy, or you’re just feeling burnt out. When I need to be motivated or inspired, these homemaking books are the ones that I turn to.
Household Hints Naturally
Household Hints Naturally, is a household hints book that covers everything from restoring vintage lace, to removing odors from wood. This is a great book to have in your homemaking arsenal. You’ll never use all of the hints and tips in a book like this, but the ones that you do use will make it well worth having.
501 Amazing Uses for Salt, Vinegar, Baking Soda, Olive Oil & Lemons
501 Amazing Uses for Salt, Vinegar, Baking Soda, Olive Oil & Lemons, is fantastic for both natural, and affordable cleaning. All of the tips are color coded by the product, so you can look up tips based on the items you have on hand. The book is also written in an easy to digest format that makes it simple to find what you need quickly.
Mary’s Household Tips and Tricks: Your Guide to Happiness in the Home
Mary’s Household Tips and Tricks, is probably my favorite homemaking book of tips. Who doesn’t love Mary Berry? Her down to earth approach to cleaning is like sitting down and getting advice from your grandmother. I’ve used one of her recipes in my mop water for several years now and I love it.
Home Skills
Not everyone grew up in a home where they were taught things like mending, how to clean cast iron or how to create a gallery wall. No worries though, because Home Skills, has all of that information and so much more. It’s a practical guide to all of the important little skills needed to keep your home comfortable and running smoothly.
Martha Stewart’s Very Good Things
Martha Stewart’s Very Good Things is another great publication by the homemaking maven herself. She covers things like hosting, DIY, decorating and more. For me, this book runs a close second to Mary’s Household Tips & Tricks, as a favorite.
Organizing for the Rest of Us: 100 Realistic Strategies to Keep Any House Under Control
Organizing For The Rest of Us, is one of the best home organizing books I’ve seen for those of us who are not naturally organized. The author also tackles one of my favorite topics, decluttering. If you struggle with understanding the mysteries of organization, then this book’s for you.
Beautifully Organized: A Guide to Function and Style in Your Home
Beautifully Organized: A Guide to Function and Style in Your Home, has fantastic organizing inspiration for every room in your home. Not only is this book full of great information, it’s also beautiful to look through.
The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living (The Happiness Institute Series)
The Little Book of Hygge, is one of my all time favorite books. If you been around for very long, you may have read my post titled, “What is Hygge, and How to Make it Part of Your Life.” The Hygge concept gave a name to a feeling that I’d been surrounded with my entire life. For lack of a better English word, “cozy”. If you want to create a cozy, safe and welcoming space, then this is your go-to guide.
Cozy White Cottage: 100 Ways to Love the Feeling of Being Home
Cozy White Cottage, has so many fantastic ideas for decorating and making your home into a cozy haven. I particularly love the ideas for displaying beloved collections. Also, be sure to check out the section on large art for a fantastic statement piece.
Living with What You Love: Decorating with Family Photos, Cherished Heirlooms, and Collectibles
All of my regular readers know that I dearly love a good decluttering session. If it doesn’t tick all of my boxes, then out it goes. However, I do have things that mean a great deal to me, and I like to display them. If that sounds like you, then Living With What You Love, can help inspire you with ways to display your most cherished collectibles, heirlooms and family photos.
The Perfectly Imperfect Home: How to Decorate and Live Well
The Perfectly Imperfect Home: How to Decorate and Live Well, is a different sort of homemaking book. Instead of saying you “simply must” do this, it instead offers ideas for customizing your space to make it suitable for you. With sections titled, “A Proper Welcome”, “A Bit of Quirk” and “Cozifications”, this book is definitely worth perusing.
Southern Style Decorating
Southern Style Decorating is a blend of the grace and elegance of the South, with a touch of Victorian. This type of decor is near and dear to my heart. The Farmhouse style has been super popular for several years now, and has dominated the decorating space. While Southern Style Decorating is not as common as it once was, it’s timeless beauty remains my favorite.
A Romance with French Living: Interiors inspired by classic French style
A Romance with French Living is a parade of gorgeous rooms, inspired by one of the most romantic countries in the world. Their use of crisp, white linens, florals and art is truly inspiring.
Country Living Aged to Perfection: Adding Rustic Charm to Your Modern Home Inside & Out
I have loved all things vintage since childhood. It’s a love that was passed down to me from my mother and grandmother. Aged to Perfection shows you how to bring the beauty of the past to a modern home. You will learn paint techniques, lighting tips and more to add historic touches to your space.
Create Your Dream Home on a Budget: Practical Advice, Inspiration, and Projects
Create Your Dream Home on a Budget, is for all of you DIY people out there. It’s no secret that you can save a small fortune in labor costs when you do things yourself. This book gives helpful information to get you started and inspired.
