How to Start an Affordable Art Collection

Five valuable lessons in sourcing and purchasing art—because your walls deserve to be beautiful.

Mar 01, 2024

I’m just going to say it: the art world can be intimidating!

It has a reputation of being expensive, exclusive, and experienced. It’s easy to question your decisions on art with thoughts like: Is this good? Will others find it good? Since there are no measurable scales for the “goodness” of art other than personal opinion, it requires confidence and awareness from the viewer. You need to know what you like. Once you figure that out, the rest is easy.

The most important question when looking for art is: how do you want to feel and does this piece make you feel that way? Unlike other furnishings in your home, art doesn’t have a functionality other than evoking feelings. Its singular purpose is to create a mood, atmosphere, and environment for your space. Start by writing down some categories or colour palettes that you’re typically drawn to. Think of memories that bring you joy (places you’ve visited or objects you love). Making mood boards on Pinterest is a good way to find out what tones and styles you’re attracted to. Most of my art falls under the categories of: food, flowers, Europe, female figures, warmth, film photography, abstract, and somehow…birds?

A visit to Musei Capitolini (2018)—but added a few additions to their collection. 😉

Once you’ve established a few aesthetics that feel right to you, start visiting galleries, browsing online, and exploring work from different artists. Shop around like you would with dating. Don’t just buy the first thing that catches your eye, really look for the pieces you want to live with. Only purchase something if you feel connected enough to welcome it into your home and remember: art is for the ages. It’s not something to replace with the trends of the season—you may move it from one room to the next, but the idea is to build a collection that gracefully grows with you.

Another thing to think about when starting an art collection is mixing styles and mediums (photographs, prints, paintings, sketches, modern, traditional, etc.). This will create a more curated and mature look in your home. Of course, original paintings are going to be more of an investment than prints, but there are ways to source them without breaking the bank—I promise. Below are five valuable lessons I’ve learned for sourcing, purchasing, and curating affordable art. We are all worthy of filling our homes with artistic expression. Let’s open our minds to possibility and dive into the endless world of imagination—let’s find some art for your walls!

Note: Framing art is a topic that deserves a post of its own. I will be putting together a follow-up article on framing and hanging art later. 🖼️

Let’s start with something super easy and affordable—photographs. Think: heirloom family portraits, images from travels, or snaps from important dates—nowadays we all have photos accessible to print. Looking at a picture framed on the wall has such a different feel than scrolling through your phone. Select photos that capture great memories and you will smile each time you walk past them in the hallway.

Dad’s Self Portrait (1973) | Cottage Florals (Etsy) | Wedding Day (2022)

Hot Tip: add professional photography to your living space without hiring a photographer by utilizing online platforms like Unsplash. This is something I’ve been doing for years and get lots of compliments on. It only costs around $5-$15 to get high quality photographs done at your local printers. I will often search for places that are dear to my heart (Kauai, Italy) and find a photographer that has a similar style to my own. Below are three photographs I have framed in our home right now.

Guille Pozzi (Kauai) | Social Cut (Lake Como) | Annie Spratt (Venice)

Hot Tip: shoot your own film photos. You can find old film cameras for free on marketplace and used websites all the time. They aren’t top of the line but they still do the trick! The key is to use good film—try Portra 400. Getting a film photo printed and framed has such a higher quality feel than iPhone photos (in my personal opinion, of course). It’s an affordable, fun, and creative way to spend the afternoon.

The silver lining of social media for me was the introduction to so many up-and-coming artists. I found some incredible art through Instagram and was able to purchase work during the earlier days of these creatives. Finding local or small-scale artists is a fantastic way to collect originals and high quality prints without spending thousands of dollars. Keep in mind these artists likely only produce short runs and things will be in/out of stock periodically.

Hot Tip: When you find an artist you love, join their mailing list to get first dibs on their next release.

Below are nine female artists I found during my years of social media and proudly hang on my walls (or aspire to in the future!).

Local Markets. Many years ago I discovered my favourite ceramic artist at a local market. She had a tiny booth and was selling handmade vases and candlesticks that I could not live without. She then went on to become an international sensation and her pieces would sell out within seconds of being released. She has since retired from the craft but I cherish the collection I have built from her over the years. All that being said, you never know who you are going to discover at your local markets!
Online. I love places like The Poster Club, Partnership Editions, Leif Shop, & Etsy who work with artists to promote their work. King & McGaw is another fantastic option for historical and modern prints. Of course many artists also have their own personal websites to purchase from as well.
Exit Through The Gift Shop. For real though—gift shops of museums and art galleries are full of great prints and post cards. One of my favourite pieces is a postcard I got at the Gucci Garden in Florence and had custom framed. It looks a lot pricier than 5€ (below) and brings me back to such a sweet memory every time I look at it. You just can’t beat that!

Thrift Stores. You know what they say about one individuals trash being another’s treasure. I have found lots of frames, mirrors, and artsy textures that add beautiful character to my collection. Don’t go in expecting to find the perfect print or original oil on canvas (but also be open to that) and enjoy the hunt! There are hidden gems amongst us.
Make it yourself. Originals have a special feel to them and tend to be the biggest investment. Consider making your own originals or commissioning a talented friend. Even a very simple (and amateur) painting of tomatoes on a vine can look fantastic with a gold frame in the kitchen. If you have kids, frame their artwork too! Pick out colours you like and let them do the rest. Art is art is art.

The art on your walls doesn’t have to be classic paintings or professional portraits. In addition to framed artwork, you can also try a few things like:

Mirrors—try to find vintage mirrors with feminine curved frames (not a rectangle). I’ve painted the frames on a few mirrors in a warm cream colour that I’m really happy with. A nice thin gold frame works too.
Ceramics—hand painted plates, greek columns, clocks, and vintage tiles all add great texture and style.
Wall Sconces—vintage brass, modern ceramic, candlestick, or rechargeable LED. Soft lighting can add romance and depth to your art.
Textiles—hand dyed silks, embroidery, or tapestries.

Collecting art is a lifelong hobby. You want pieces that represent different stages of your life—not a collection you purchased in a single weekend that fails to represent your depth and personality. Go slow and wait for the right ones—enjoy the process. After all: Rome wasn’t built in day.

Spend some time in your home thinking about what art would compliment and enhance the space. Notice the corners in your life that need some extra sparkle and envision what would ideally hang there. Would something bold and bright bring your kitchen to life? Would a soothing photograph of the ocean create the calmness your bathroom needs? Put together a wish list that you aspire to own. Maybe ones that are just outside your budget or comfort zone—pieces that could be a great future addition.

Here’s a peek at my current wish list:

We are all worthy of beauty in our homes! Here’s to finding affordable art and learning more about yourself through the process. I hope this article has helped you feel more confident about starting a personal collection. Regardless of your budget, knowledge, or experience, starting an art collection is absolutely possible. Thank you so much for reading and please pass this along to a friend if you found it valuable. Oh and one last thing—free downloadable prints from one of my wish list favourites (total score).

Buon appetito!

Do you have an art collection in your home?
Any must see galleries to visit in your area?

Discussion about this post

Ready for more?