8 Tips for Buying and Displaying Artwork in Your Home or Office.
Whether you're deciding where to hang an artwork you recently fell in love with, or you're figuring out how to start buying art, these tips may help with your decision-making.
Fortunately, today we have so many choices and art is much more accessible whether you’re a long time art collector, you're updating your decor or you're a beginner, there's something here for you.
Choose art that expresses who you are.
When you find art that inspires you, that reminds you of your magnificence, that completely lights you up, or you simply resonate with it (even if you can’t articulate why), grab it! Perhaps it’s a reflection of something within you or about you that feels like it belongs.
Keep an eye out for art that you respond to
It's okay to not know exactly what you want or what you like in art. Sometimes you'll see something and immediately love it. You may not even know why! If you notice you have a strong response and it's something you keep coming back to, it's probably meant for you!
Create a buying strategy
While you're waiting for that piece that calls out to you, that you respond strongly to, start thinking about what you're attracted to. Look around your home for colours and patterns in common, geometric shapes. Do you collect modern, contemporary styles or do you prefer vintage, retro, bold patterns, line work, thick or thin, vibrant or muted, busy or minimalist? What is it that expresses who YOU are?
Once you have an idea of what you're looking for, you might want to start small. If you find an original artwork that's out of your price range right now, see if it is reproduced as a print, or on a coffee mug, t-shirt or a set of greeting cards. Having your favourite artwork around you in a functional way is a great way to experience art before you have that piece on your wall.
Start an 'art collection' savings bucket so when you find that special piece, you can always grab the art you love.
Decide on a flexible colour palette
It's an art clash baby! It's totally cool to mismatch and mix it up. Put artwork amongst photos of your family. Mix up frames. Your styling is a reflection of YOU. When you choose art that you love, your personality naturally shines through. If you keep your colour palette loose you can still display what you want within a broader scope.
Buy art that makes you feel good!
Artwork can lift your mood instantly, providing health and wellbeing benefits. Studies have shown that looking at art you love can lower anxiety and depression, lift your mood and boost critical thinking.
Group frames/ artwork together to create a gallery wall.
Hanging several smaller pieces together in a layout that suits you is perfect for limited space and another great way to express your individual personality. It looks stylish and like you know what you're doing 😉
Get on board with the 'maximalist' movement
Have you been afraid to go 'extra'? Extra is in! It's called Maximalist - which you might have guessed is the opposite to minimalist. Collectors are looking for bold colours, patterns, images and textures.
Or, this can be achieved with more subdued artwork and reproductions, but the space the art occupies has a maximalist feel (like I described in the point above grouping art together). Additionally, art doesn't have to be in the centre of the wall. You can place it off centre using different sized frames.
Fill gaps with art!
You've absolutely fallen in love with an artwork and you must have it! It has you written all over it. Use it as a focal point - above a dresser, hallway stand, stairway landing, corner by a door... I love walking around corners in my house and seeing an artwork that makes me feel amazing each time I spot it!
Commission an artwork
You can work directly with me to come up with a design that's completely personal and an expression of you. Even if you're not sure where to start, or what you want, I take you through a process where my goal is to draw that information out of you. A recent collector who commissioned an artwork with me commented “it looks like my thoughts, you’ve captured it; what I’ve seen, it’s all here.”
Email me at info@cyndybroekers.com to get the conversation started and we'll work together to create the perfect artwork for you!