How to make sure you’ll buy art you’ll love forever

At some point in our lives, we’ve probably considered buying artwork. Usually, we’re looking for a decorative piece for our home when we move into a new place or want to refresh living spaces somehow, making our apartment or house inspiring and cosy.

The art market is always evolving with new emerging artists and styles and now that we’re fully entrenched in technology - digital art is available to purchase in the form of NFTs which makes deciding what to buy all the more difficult. The process of choosing an artwork may raise a lot of doubts and questions, especially if you are not an experienced art buyer or a collector who navigates like a fish in an ocean of art.

At 100artists we believe art is a very personal decision. You love what you love, who really decides what is ‘good’ or ‘bad’ in terms of fine art? That being said we only select exceptional talent to bring you some of the best artists from the UK. If you’d like more information on how we select our artists please click here.

I don’t know much about art, how do I know I am buying a good piece?

If you are considering buying a piece of art, you may be wondering...

What if I buy artwork and no longer like it after some time?
Can I really afford original art?
How do I know if I am not overpaying?
Will it really suit the interior?
Will my family and guests like it?

If these or similar questions have crossed your mind, you will definitely find these five tips useful.

1. Define what is it you really like.

It may not be as easy as it seems! There are so many art forms and interesting artists out there making a final decision quite tricky. There is only way to define your taste for art — start looking at it more often: visit exhibitions, browse online, peek into artist’s profiles on social media and soon you will develop a good eye for art. You will know exactly whether you are a fan of extremely detailed landscapes or abstract paintings.

2. Decide on the medium and the subject.

Now that you know what kind of art uplifts and moves you, it is quite easy to decide what kind of artworks you will be looking for (paintings, sculptures, photos or prints) and what should it portray (landscapes, cityscapes, portraits, figurative or abstract).

3. Think where you want to place your art.

You may be looking just for one painting for an empty wall in your living room, but if you have more empty spaces — think carefully on how many pieces you’re realistically looking to buy. Maybe these empty corners deserve a three-dimensional sculpture? Of course, you do not have to decorate the whole house at once, but estimating approximate number of artworks will help to plan your budget, which takes us to the next tip.

4. Set a budget.

Identifying a budget will help you to avoid overspending and ease the decision and negotiation process. It is also a good filter that helps you decide which galleries you should look for artworks.

5. Take your time and enjoy the process!

Have you ever bought an artwork spontaneously, possibly during a very relaxed holiday, and now you don’t know what to do with it, because you don’t like it anymore? Well, to avoid these situations — do a little research and give yourself some time.

Buying art is like falling in love. It may take time to find a perfect match, but when you see an artwork you love, you will know it immediately! Make sure it is a thoughtful decision so this love lasts forever.