How to Buy Art
Need artwork for your home but don’t know where to start? These guidelines will help.
Up next in How to Understand Art (10 videos)
Do you like velvet Elvis paintings and don't get abstract art? Then you need this Howcast video series on art appreciation.
You Will Need
- Passion
- Tape measure
Steps
-
Step 1
Buy what you love
If you see something you love, buy it; don’t worry about whether it goes with your color scheme. You can always repaint a room -- or even just one wall -- to complement the piece.
-
Step 2
Mix and match eras
Don't be restricted by your home decor. There's no rule that says you can’t put modern art in a traditional setting, or vice versa.
-
Step 3
Pick up colors
If you're looking to buy art for a particular room, choose 1 or 2 dominating colors from the space and find a piece that includes or complements those colors.
-
Step 4
Take size into account
Keep proportion in mind when you buy art for a particular spot. A small painting, for example, looks out of place on a big wall.
-
Before you buy art, measure the space you plan to put it in.
-
Step 5
Consider mood
Consider the mood you want to create when you buy art. Symmetrical lines calm the eye; asymmetrical lines convey movement. Green, blue, and pink are soothing; red and orange are energizing.
-
Don’t put a predominantly red picture in the kitchen if you’re on a diet; red is known for stimulating appetite!
-
Step 6
Don’t buy as an investment
Don’t buy art just because someone says it’s a good investment; there’s no way of knowing if it will increase in value. If you’re going to spend a lot of money, make sure it’s on a piece you really love.
-
A painting Picasso made in 1 day sold for $106.5 million at a 2010 auction.
