Being financially challenged and hardly settled in my dream home, I’ve found it easy to brush off the idea of decorating my walls with art by telling myself I’ll do it when I have more money and time. Yet after spending a long weekend at a friend’s apartment (just as small and semipermanent as mine), I was blown away by what a difference some unique and well-thought-out art pieces on the walls made in terms of her place’s ambience.
I’m not sure why it took me so long to realize it, but having tons of money and hiring an interior designer are so not requirements for tastefully adorning your home with artwork. All it takes is a little footwork, some forethought, and a willingness to experiment.
Buy Local
Who says you have to spend a fortune to acquire unique art? It’s possible to find authentic, interesting works without dropping a bundle in a fancy gallery. Many up-and-coming artists and art students sell their own work directly, either right from their studios or from stands they set up in busy areas like farmers’ markets and flea markets. Check out art institutes and college campuses in your area to see what’s available around you.
Surf for Art
Let’s not forget the Internet. Web sites like Etsy.com offer not just paintings, but also sculptures, photographs, and prints that are searchable by medium and price. And don’t discount less art-focused, more mainstream sites like IKEA and Target, which offer a huge variety of decorative options, all of which you can easily give a unique twist with the right framing and display techniques (more on that below).
Go DIY
Just because you don’t buy something doesn’t mean it’s not art. Old calendar images, advertisements, and even pressed flowers can make interesting wall adornments; I’ve begun framing cheap postcards I’ve picked up while traveling. Literary types can make art out of their favorite quotations—find colored stationery, then neatly write (or type) the words, frame it, and voilà—truly unique, truly you art. To make do-it-yourself pieces wall-ready, back them with colorful cloth or acid-free mat board inside frames—this will help avoid that college-dorm-room look. And don’t forget about your own personal photo album—try grouping sunsets from around the world, or beaches, or even images of you with certain groups of friends and relatives in particular areas.
