3 Things Designers Consider When Buying Art

Purchasing Affordable + Original Art

Buying art is a mysterious and challenging process even for professionals. When I see so many blank walls, I see a missed opportunity to express yourself, add character and interest, and to bring a little excitement to your space.

Don’t be intimidated

There are two considerations when purchasing art – one, don’t assume that good art is expensive and two, know what you like. Both issues can be put to rest by spending some time with art. Visiting local art galleries and museums can be an easy and low-commitment way to start developing a sense of what your taste is and understanding why you like what you like.  Sites like Artsy and 1st Dibs make it increasingly easy to purchase online. Many galleries will allow you to take a piece home on loan to see how it looks in your space. A favorite artist, medium or subject – for example, favorite and meaningful places you’ve lived or traveled – along with price point, are good ways to begin a search. Art schools have fantastic exhibits of student and faculty work – all of which is incredibly affordable, and libraries and local galleries are great resources for art and don’t require the time and energy of an exhibit at the Met – which can exhaust even the most fervent art lover. When in doubt, your children’s art can bring a boring wall to life when framed to display it with the love and respect it deserves.

3 things designers consider when buying art

There are 3 things to consider when buying art: the first is the scale of piece relative to the wall and the room in which it’s hung. Very large pieces demand adequate viewing space. Consider grouping small works together to fill a space that may be too large for a single small work. Next, consider how you respond to the work, you’re going to be living with this work so the subject matter, colors and overall mood should be pleasing. This doesn’t mean you should shy away from works that challenge you. Some works constantly invite the viewer to look at them in a new way or approach a subject in an unconventional way, while other works may be appreciated solely for their use of color or pattern. Lastly, whether you are looking to start a collection, or buying something purely as decoration, there is no right or wrong. Let what you love be your guide and the rest will fall into place.