March 4, 2024

Collecting art can feel intimidating, especially for new and first-time collectors. The art world can feel exclusive and like it’s dictated by unspoken rules about what makes art “good” or relevant—not to mention the high prices usually associated with buying originals.

I strongly believe that art is a gift meant for everyone, and it’s important to me that you, my collectors and aspiring collectors, feel confident in the decisions that you make about the art that you bring into your home.

So, how do you start an art collection, and how do you collect art that you love? Read on for my best tips!

1. Collect art that you love.

This is my first and most important tip. Your art collection doesn’t need to (and shouldn’t) look any particular way or follow any particular set of rules except for the ones that you determine for yourself.

Allow me to empower you—you can invest in any kind of art and for any reason! Art is personal, highly subjective, and meant to be meaningful and enjoyed. As long as you stay committed to collecting art that you love, you can’t go wrong with any purchase.

2. Consider why you love art—and what you hope to accomplish with your art collection.

People buy art for many reasons—as a monetary investment; to bring beauty and meaning into their homes; to support the important, societal work that artists do as makers of understanding, empathy, innovation, connection, etc.

So the question is—why do you love art, and why are you interested in starting or growing your art collection?

You may love and collect art for many reasons—and knowing the answers to these questions will help you navigate how to collect art in-the-moment. If the artist and piece of art resonate with your values and why you want to collect art, then you know that the art is right for you.

3. Start collecting art before you think your home is “ready.”

This is another, really important tip. I see so many people passing on art they love simply because they’re “not sure” where they’ll hang it or there’s “nowhere” in their home for this piece of art.

And certainly—be intentional about the art that you collect, and don’t just buy art to buy art.

But also remember that you’ll never have enough art for that beautiful gallery wall if you never buy your first piece, and so much of art is one-of-a-kind and will never be available again. So, when you find art you love and you’re able to afford it, then by all means, collect it!

Even if you don’t know where you’ll hang it at this very moment, you’ll eventually move into a new home with new walls and spaces to fill. Or, you can swap artwork seasonally, continuously keeping your home fresh.

This is how I started my art collection. I bought my first piece of art when I lived in a 1,400-square-foot garden home, and to be honest, I didn’t even hang it until almost three years later when I moved into a larger home with more wall space. But the art that I collected while living in my first home (and even in apartments before that) became foundational for the art that’s hanging in my home now.

So, if you’re dreaming of a beautiful gallery wall or simply a home filled with lots of beautiful and meaningful art, start now, even if you don’t feel ready. Collect art you love now, and you’ll eventually find the perfect place for it to live!

4. Get to know artists online.

If you’re an art lover like me, then you may become overwhelmed with the sheer number of artists and pieces of art that are available for you to invest in.

Especially now that my art collection has grown to include dozens of pieces, I want to make sure that any new art that I’m investing in is meaningful and intentional. Nowadays, it’s rare for me to spontaneously buy a random piece of art. Instead, I’ve often followed an artist on social media or through their email newsletter for years, and I collect art because I know the artist’s story and I’ve seen them grow—and because a particular piece strikes me or resonates deeply.

I highly encourage you to do the same. Get to know artists by following them on social media and by joining their email newsletters (where they’ll often share deeper stories and sometimes gifts such as studio discounts).

Art is so much more meaningful when it’s by an artist you’ve known for years and whose story and inspiration you connect with!

5. Take note of blank spaces in your home.

Once your art collection grows and you begin hanging art in your home, you’ll find that you have holes, or very specific places where you’d love to add a specific size or style of art.

Take note of these spaces (jotting down size-and-feel specifications in something you always have with you, like a Notes app) so you can feel confident when considering art that may fit perfectly. You never know when you’ll stumble upon the perfect piece of art in an antique store, while traveling, or at an art festival, gallery, or show. Having these specifications at your fingertips is so helpful when making your decision about a piece of art.

6. Save a little bit every month for originals.

Large, statement originals are an investment. They’re often the priciest art you’ll collect, and especially for newer, younger collectors, it can feel impossible to collect originals because of their price.

Until you’re more established in your life and/or career, I’ve found it helpful to think about art like any other luxury item that you value, such as travel or experiences. How do you make four-figure travel experiences or fine dining happen? You plan for them.

Art is no different. If investing in large, statement, or any kind of original art is important to you, then allocate a set amount of your finances every month to saving for it. Then, when you have the opportunity to collect a piece of original art that really speaks to you, you’ll be ready to collect that piece with confidence.

Something else to consider is that many artists (including myself) offer larger originals for no-interest payment plans. Essentially, you can pay for a piece of art with monthly payments over time, making the art more affordable.

Artists price their work to be sustainable for their careers and to ensure that they’re able to continue making more art—this is what makes original art so expensive—but payment plans are a win-win. The artist is sustained and valued for their experience and skills, while collectors are able to collect art they love in a more accessible way.

7. Don’t be afraid to invest in prints.

Note that I suggested you save for original art if it’s important to you. The “if” is important—because there’s nothing wrong with collecting prints if you wish!

Prints, or mechanically printed photographs of one-of-a-kind originals, are a great, accessible way to grow your art collection. If you love the idea of having lots of art by lots of different artists, but you’re not yet at a stage of life where you can afford lots of originals, then prints are an excellent option. (And, when made well, they can be virtually indistinguishable from their original counterparts.)

You might also like: Buying Art: Originals vs. Prints