Four Things to Consider When Shopping for Wall Art

Decorating your home is an exciting process. It’s the ultimate opportunity to create a space that is uniquely your own, and reflects who you are as a person.

But it can also be surprisingly challenging. Maybe you’re living in a studio apartment that doesn’t have a lot of floor space, or maybe your home has a serious lack of natural light. Navigating those challenges can be frustrating, especially when you have a vision for your home decor.

The Versatility of Wall Art

While some people view these spatial challenges as an obstacle, others see it as a creative advantage. Maybe you can’t fit your favorite sectional into an apartment that’s 400 sqft, but you can experiment with different design elements that will bring your space to life. And one of the best ways to show off your style is by using wall art. 

When it comes to interior design, a lot of millennials neglect to think about wall art. And with gallery walls and succulents taking over the interior design mainstage, wall art has taken a back seat.

But here’s the thing about wall art—the possibilities are endless, and it’s the perfect decor for any space. In fact, wall art can completely transform the look and feel of a room. No matter your taste, your color scheme, or your budget, there is a massive selection of wall art to choose from. 

Another great thing about wall art, is that it allows you to set the tone for individual rooms in your home. Maybe your living room is where the party happens, so you hang lively pop art on the walls. But if your bathroom is your personal spa, you can choose wall art with tranquil prints, or even photographs of your favorite beach.  

What to Consider When Shopping for Wall Art

Like all home decor, wall art should compliment your furniture, color palette, fabric textures, and the size of the space. All the elements in the room need to be balanced in order for the room to look aesthetically pleasing. So it’s important to be thoughtful and deliberate when choosing your wall art. Here are four things to consider while you’re shopping:

1. The Size of the Space

The first thing to keep in mind when shopping for wall art is the size of the wall. Before you start thinking about the actual design you’re looking for, determine what size print you should get. For example, a wall that’s 80 inches wide probably won’t work with a 60 inch frame. Nor will it work with a 14 inch frame.

The dimensions of the wall art should naturally fit on whatever wall it’s going on. Regardless of how beautiful the wall art is, it will be hard to look past the size indifference if you don’t measure and plan beforehand. As a general rule of thumb, look for wall art that will cover roughly 2/3 to 3/4 of the wall space.

2. Stay Within Your Budget

Decorating your home can get expensive really quickly. So that’s why it’s more important to invest in fewer items that you love and will have for a long period of time. Try to avoid trendy items that probably won’t be in style a year from now.

Wall art can be pricey, but there are a lot of affordable art options available—you just have to do some research. Instead of going straight to a gallery or auction, check out a few online art retailers. In fact, online art dealers usually have a much wider selection of pieces than a dealer would have. ArtSugar is a great site that has a ton of amazing pieces at an affordable price point. They curate art from thousands of artists, so you’ll definitely find a few items that fits your personal style and your budget.

3. Look to the Influencers 

Having options is always a good thing, but if you’re looking for a little inspiration, consider influencer-curated designs. This is a great option for millennials that would rather spend hours Instagram shopping than walking around a gallery. A lot of content creators on social media share their favorite home decor tips, pieces, and even wall art inspiration. And because Instagram is a visual platform, you can look at hundreds of pieces without leaving the comfort of your couch.

On ArtSugar’s ‘Influencer-Curated’ section, you’ll find a number of popular Instagrammers who have posted about their favorite wall art. The pieces are all completely different, and really reflect the personality of the influencer. This is a great tool to use if you’re curious about your favorite Instagrammer’s art aesthetic, and to see some of ArtSugar’s pieces in real interior spaces.

4. Consider Renting Your Wall Art

Millennials are always on the move, so if you’re not living in your forever home, think about renting your wall art before you buy it. Maybe you’re looking to spruce up your college dorm room, or redecorate your bedroom while you’re home on summer vacation. Whatever your goal, trying before you buy can save you money in the long run.

Renting wall art is a relatively new concept, but ArtSugar’s RentSugar service is one of the best on the market. Through RentSugar, you can select a piece of wall art, try it for 90 days and get charged for it later. If you don’t end up loving the item, you can send it back, free of charge. RentSugar is also a great option for urban millennials who might not have a car, or access to traditional art galleries. RentSugar will mail the art directly to your home, and is ready to be hung in minutes. 

Great home decor combines many different elements, and wall art is one of them. Your walls are just as important as the furniture in the room, or the color of the carpets. It ties a room together, sparks conversations, and inspires creativity.

Elizabeth Rivelli for ArtSugar, January 16, 2020