Many of us like to adorn the walls of our homes with prints, pictures and photographs. Buying art can be incredibly enjoyable and uplifting, but it can be difficult to know what to purchase with so much choice and such a wide range of prices and styles available. If you’re looking for pieces for your home, here are some tips to help you find the perfect additions.
Get inspiration
Buying art is a big decision, especially if you have plans to purchase an original piece, you’re looking into investment opportunities, or you want to make a design statement in your home. It’s natural to want to make the right decision. Before you buy a picture or a piece of art, it’s wise to look for inspiration. Search online for information about galleries and exhibitions in your local area or visit a different city and make a weekend of it. Take a tour of an online art gallery, book tickets for events and think about places you’ve visited that have inspired you, such as luxury hotels, quirky cafes, independent galleries or cities that have a vibrant street art scene. Start thinking about the styles you like and how you want to use art in your home.
Think about the style of your home
If you’re looking for art for your home, it’s important to think about the style of the rooms you’re decorating or enhancing with paintings, sculptures, photographs or drawings. You can choose to use art to channel trends and themes or to shake things up and mix and match design styles. If you have an ultra-modern apartment, for example, you might want to stick to contemporary art or create a culture clash with something more retro or traditional.
Celebrate your personal taste
Art is subjective. The beauty of art is that it caters to everyone. What some people love, others may dislike. Whatever your taste, you’ll be able to find something that triggers an emotional response and lures you in. When you’re shopping for art for your home, prioritize your taste and style. Try to avoid being pressured by others or feeling that you have to choose a specific style of art or artist because they’re very popular or they feature in the latest ‘must-have’ lists, guides or articles. Art should help you to celebrate your personal taste.
Consider the vibe you want to create
Art comes in myriad guises. As well as exploring different designs and looking for art that you love the look of, it’s beneficial to consider the vibe you want to create. Looking at a painting or a picture can provoke all kinds of reactions and responses. Some pieces may induce calm and serenity, some may bring joy and others might make you feel uneasy or encourage curiosity or inquisitiveness. Think about the space and the ambience you want to create. Are you looking for something joyous and playful for a kitchen or an entertaining area? Do you want something inspirational and uplifting for a study or a creative space? Are you on the hunt for a piece that will make you feel calm and relaxed for a bedroom? Do you want to turn heads and start conversations with an eye-catching masterpiece in the hallway or living room?
Get to know artists
If you’re buying original art, it’s interesting to get to know artists and learn about their backstories, their sources of inspiration and how they use art to enhance their lives. You may find that the biographies you read on websites or social media or talks you attend given by artists influence the way you feel about the pieces you buy. You may be more inclined to purchase art from local artists or people who have an interesting story about how they got into art, for example. You might gravitate towards artists who champion good causes or those who have pursued art as a means of changing their lives. Read books and articles, look for details of events and exhibitions and visit galleries.
Research prices
The cost of art varies hugely. It’s possible to pick up prints and posters for a few dollars but if you’re looking for fine art, pieces by recognized, famous artists or you want to buy an original, you may be looking at hundreds, thousands or even millions of dollars. If you are thinking of spending a substantial amount of money on a piece of art for your home, it’s critical to undertake extensive research. Learn more about in-demand artists and masterpieces and seek expert advice to get an accurate idea of how much you could expect to pay. It’s wise to focus on reputable dealers and read information from trustworthy, credible sources.
Every buyer should have a budget. Whether you’re looking for a piece in a more budget-friendly bracket or you’re willing to push the boat out, never go into a gallery, a fine art store or an auction house without a maximum budget in mind. You may be able to negotiate on the price, but resist the temptation to go over your budget if you cannot afford to do so, or the price appears higher than the market valuation. This is particularly important for investment pieces. If you’re building up a portfolio, you don’t want to find that the art you’ve purchased is worth less than you paid when you come to sell it.
Establish a clear objective
Some people buy art purely for their own enjoyment and pleasure while others are keen to make money from their acquisitions. Before you spend any money, establish a clear objective. If you want to find a piece that you love for your home so that you can appreciate and enjoy it, it’s important to focus on the aesthetic and how the piece makes you feel. If you’re investing in art, it’s critical to consider the price and the market. To make money, you’ll need to pay the right price and choose a piece that other people will want to buy. Analyze trends and look into artists or design styles and genres that are attracting a lot of interest. If you can’t afford to buy pieces from established artists that already command high prices, look out for up-and-coming artists who are just starting to make waves and get people talking.
Use your intuition
One of the most exciting and fascinating things about art is that it can trigger a totally different response from one person to another. One person may experience an intense emotional reaction to a picture while another may walk past it in a gallery without paying any attention. When you’re shopping for art to display in your home, use your intuition and let your emotions guide you. The most important thing is choosing pieces that you love. This might mean finding paintings that put a smile on your face or it could mean stumbling across a drawing or a photograph that leaves you asking a million questions. Everyone is different and you should use your intuition to help you make a decision.
The benefits of buying art for your home
There are multiple benefits to buying art for your home. From inexpensive, kitsch posters in the kitchen to landings and living rooms adorned with fine art, here are some of the key benefits of purchasing pieces of art:
Personalizing your home
Displaying art in your home is a brilliant way to personalize your space and really put your stamp on each room. The type of art you buy says a lot about your personality and it can help you to showcase your individuality and celebrate your taste and creative flair. You can use all kinds of different types of art to customize your interior design and create a unique home that makes you happy.
Creating a home that enhances well-being
Many of us feel soothed when we’re meandering through galleries at a leisurely pace gazing upon pictures on the wall, digital displays or sculptures. Adding art to your home can help to enhance well-being. You can use art to induce calmness and relaxation, inspire creativity, boost energy levels or inject fun and playfulness.
Elevating your décor
Do you ever look around your living room and feel that something is missing or walk into the kitchen and think that it looks a little drab or generic? If this sounds familiar, why not use art to elevate your décor and take your design to the next level? You don’t have to spend a fortune to achieve incredible results. You can transform any space in your home using a painting, a print, a sculpture or a drawing.
Making money
Investing in art can be lucrative. As well as making your home look amazing, you could also make a lot of money if you buy the right pieces at the right price.
Many people like to decorate their homes using art. Art covers a broad spectrum of pieces and it can be difficult to know what to buy and how to choose the perfect piece for your home. If you’re on the lookout, consider the style of your home, the vibe you want to create and the types of art and design styles you love. Research prices, get inspiration from galleries, exhibitions and online galleries and learn about artists that interest you. Choose pieces that jump out at you for the right reasons and celebrate your personal style and taste.
