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Home: How To Love It, Live In It, And Find Joy In It
In this book inspired by her phenomenally popular Substack newsletter, India Knight explores the essence of what makes a home, debunking intimidating ideas about ‘taste’ and trends, offering practical and reassuring advice for every room, and above all celebrating the joy and comfort that comes from being surrounded by things you love.
This is partly a book about a feeling. We all know it, regardless of where we live. Home is when you open the front door and exhale.
In this joyous, practical, wise and entertaining book, inspired by her phenomenally popular Substack newsletter, India Knight explores and celebrates the essence of what makes a home.
Whether it is grand or modest, urban or rural, rented or owned, shared or occupied solo, her mission is to make you sigh with contentment the moment you’re through your front door.
From understanding the best lightbulbs and the most flattering paint colours, or knowing what to make when you’ve asked people to dinner and have forgotten (or maybe never learned) how to cook, Home debunks intimidating ideas about ‘taste’ and celebrates the timeless importance of charm.
Inspiring you to think imaginatively about how to use the things you’ve already got, advising you on what to look out for when buying a sofa, and opening your eyes to the transformative power of a well-chosen picture frame, India will steer you far, far away from trends and Instagram and helps you find, trust – and take pride in – what you like.
Going from the hallway to the bedroom, via the bathroom, the kitchen, the sitting room and all the spaces in between, India shares everything she knows about how to create and find joy in every room. Along the way she shares life lessons, tips and stories of the things and people that have shaped her, and the places she has called home.
So, step over the threshold and come on in.
This is partly a book about a feeling. We all know it, regardless of where we live. Home is when you open the front door and exhale.
In this joyous, practical, wise and entertaining book, inspired by her phenomenally popular Substack newsletter, India Knight explores and celebrates the essence of what makes a home.
Whether it is grand or modest, urban or rural, rented or owned, shared or occupied solo, her mission is to make you sigh with contentment the moment you’re through your front door.
From understanding the best lightbulbs and the most flattering paint colours, or knowing what to make when you’ve asked people to dinner and have forgotten (or maybe never learned) how to cook, Home debunks intimidating ideas about ‘taste’ and celebrates the timeless importance of charm.
Inspiring you to think imaginatively about how to use the things you’ve already got, advising you on what to look out for when buying a sofa, and opening your eyes to the transformative power of a well-chosen picture frame, India will steer you far, far away from trends and Instagram and helps you find, trust – and take pride in – what you like.
Going from the hallway to the bedroom, via the bathroom, the kitchen, the sitting room and all the spaces in between, India shares everything she knows about how to create and find joy in every room. Along the way she shares life lessons, tips and stories of the things and people that have shaped her, and the places she has called home.
So, step over the threshold and come on in.
- GenresNonfiction
267 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 16, 2025
50 people are currently reading
411 people want to read
About the author
India Knight
36 books158 followersIndia Knight is a British journalist. Her novels have been translated into 28 languages.
Knight, a native French speaker, lived in Brussels until about the time she turned nine. After migrating to the United Kingdom, she was educated in London. She was awarded an exhibition to Trinity College, Cambridge, where she read Modern Languages from 1984-1987, before starting her career in journalism.
In addition to writing for and contributing to major British magazines and newspapers, India Knight writes a prominent weekly column for The Sunday Times. She is also a regular guest on British radio and television.
After writing an article in The Sunday Times about her daughter's special needs - her youngest child has DiGeorge syndrome.
Knight lives in London with her three children.
Knight, a native French speaker, lived in Brussels until about the time she turned nine. After migrating to the United Kingdom, she was educated in London. She was awarded an exhibition to Trinity College, Cambridge, where she read Modern Languages from 1984-1987, before starting her career in journalism.
In addition to writing for and contributing to major British magazines and newspapers, India Knight writes a prominent weekly column for The Sunday Times. She is also a regular guest on British radio and television.
After writing an article in The Sunday Times about her daughter's special needs - her youngest child has DiGeorge syndrome.
Knight lives in London with her three children.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 15, 2026
This book has been written directly to my inner middle class nester. Part manifesto, part comfort read, it’s a celebration of abundance, joy and styling your home authentically.
From the practical (choosing a mattress, buying lightbulbs) to the charming (how to style a bedside table, what to read on the loo). Along the way, is scattered nuggets of wisdom and life advice - (p.158): “You’re in bed with (one hopes) someone you love: have a chat, have a snog, have sex, lie there in companionable silence - anything really, that isn’t demoralising evidence of you both finding each other less interesting than whatever random nonsense is on your screens.” and p. 248 “There is never just one mouse. Sorry.”
I may be 10-15 years too early for this book, but I enjoyed the musings on every page and look forward to returning back to it in the future for inspiration!!
From the practical (choosing a mattress, buying lightbulbs) to the charming (how to style a bedside table, what to read on the loo). Along the way, is scattered nuggets of wisdom and life advice - (p.158): “You’re in bed with (one hopes) someone you love: have a chat, have a snog, have sex, lie there in companionable silence - anything really, that isn’t demoralising evidence of you both finding each other less interesting than whatever random nonsense is on your screens.” and p. 248 “There is never just one mouse. Sorry.”
I may be 10-15 years too early for this book, but I enjoyed the musings on every page and look forward to returning back to it in the future for inspiration!!
January 28, 2026
A very dear friend gave this to me for my birthday. Of all of my friends, she has been my biggest source of tips and inspiration in terms of house decor. We have very similar taste and aesthetics and values about what makes a beautiful and comfortable home. When she gifted me with this book, she said, “You already know all of this and believe all of this, but you will enjoy reading it.” She was absolutely right.
There are probably many women our age - the same age as author India Knight - who have been reading Knight’s advice and enjoying her voice for many years. So for me, this book was “preaching to the choir” territory. Knight has a very strong point of view about what makes a beautiful and comfortable house and her book is a combination of practical and shopping tips and then the more ineffable qualities like “charm” and “storytelling.” In essence, her belief is that houses should reflect their owners’ taste, interests and personality. It should be a non-controversial point of view, but perhaps there are a lot of people who are led more by trends and the opinions of anointed others.
In addition to making detailed notes about every room in the house, Knight sprinkles recipes, photographs and some very subjective lists throughout the book. She offers a paint chart of all of her favourite pinks and very detailed information on lighting. I found all of this very enjoyable. I think there is some very good advice here for younger people just starting out on home-creation, but even if it’s all old-hat to you, this book has oodles of charm and plenty of POV and storytelling. I am sure that I will dip in and out of it many times over the years because it has that “comfort read” quality.
There are probably many women our age - the same age as author India Knight - who have been reading Knight’s advice and enjoying her voice for many years. So for me, this book was “preaching to the choir” territory. Knight has a very strong point of view about what makes a beautiful and comfortable house and her book is a combination of practical and shopping tips and then the more ineffable qualities like “charm” and “storytelling.” In essence, her belief is that houses should reflect their owners’ taste, interests and personality. It should be a non-controversial point of view, but perhaps there are a lot of people who are led more by trends and the opinions of anointed others.
In addition to making detailed notes about every room in the house, Knight sprinkles recipes, photographs and some very subjective lists throughout the book. She offers a paint chart of all of her favourite pinks and very detailed information on lighting. I found all of this very enjoyable. I think there is some very good advice here for younger people just starting out on home-creation, but even if it’s all old-hat to you, this book has oodles of charm and plenty of POV and storytelling. I am sure that I will dip in and out of it many times over the years because it has that “comfort read” quality.
November 5, 2025
This has been a lovely read to snuggle up by the fire to. In this book India looks at ways to decorate and style your home so that not only does it look beautiful but it feels cosy, tells your story and embraces your personality making your home authentic to you and welcoming to guests. 💖 It's a really interesting read and there is a lot of great tips! It made me laugh because India absolutely hates grey homes ... And mine is basically all grey 😂. However I totally understand grey isn't for everyone, I'm not a colourful person and neutrals make me feel really calm but it can be very basic and boring. That is infact the reason I wanted to read this book because I've been in my new house a few years now and it's ready for some touches to make us feel more "at home." The good news is there are ways to turn a house into a home (even a grey one 😂) with a few little details and India herself has tips for neutral homes with the "plain but not boring" ideas. Personal touches, texture, playing with different shades of the colour palette your working with, adding momentos, art, photos. Ooo I love it. A very cute read and I love the vibes... Even if India hates my style 🤣🤣🤣.
November 16, 2025
Lovely light comforting cosseting read, as long as you’re happy with being firmly in the demographic it is aimed at. If you’re not, I imagine it would grate somewhat. Also perplexingly despite advice on everything from lightbulbs to pink paint, bedding to soap, there is no mention of curtains!
November 23, 2025
This is so sweet and genuinely helpful. I completely share India’s philosophy on homes and this was a joy to read; I love to take these things seriously and joyously.
November 28, 2025
Lot of fun
December 27, 2025
Really cosy read with some genuinely helpful tips, definitely aimed at the middle class but written with some self awareness of that.
November 15, 2025
Good no-nonsense voice, list of addresses, advices, recipes… and best books to read in the loo 😁
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2026
Sue me but I loved this. Feel like it’s the book of all the things your mum didn’t teach you and how to make a house a home. Very occasionally goes into a lot of depth on certain items so just save those chapters for if you are ever purchasing said thing etc
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews