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Continue ShoppingHow to Buy Art for Your Home
Maybe you’ve just moved, maybe one room needs a focal point, or maybe there’s a bare wall you walk past every single day. An original painting is one of the most personal ways to turn a house into a home.
Every painting at Artdez Studio is a one-of-one, made by hand by our artists. Unlike prints or mass-produced décor, an original carries the marks, layers and decisions of the person who made it, and it tends to mean more the longer it lives with you.
Buying your first original can still feel like a big step. What size should it be? Which room? Will it work with the sofa you already have? Those questions stop a lot of people, but the answers are simpler than they look. This guide walks through the practical choices so you can pick a piece that fits your space and your life.
Where Should Your First Piece Go?
Most first-time buyers are looking for a single painting, and that is exactly the right way to begin. The real question isn’t how many pieces you need, but where that first one should live.
Choose a room where you will actually see it every day: where you relax, where friends gather, or what you face as you walk through the front door. A painting in the entryway sets the mood for the whole home; one in the living room becomes the backdrop to everyday life and conversation.
Buy a piece that genuinely excites you, for a space that matters to you. It will anchor your home, and your collection as it grows.
Choosing Art Room by Room
Every room asks something different of a painting: how the space is used, how much light it gets, how humid it is and how much foot traffic passes by.
Living room
The most flexible space in the house. Large walls can carry a bold statement piece, while smaller rooms look best with art scaled to the wall so it doesn’t crowd the space. Pick something you’ll love looking at daily, not just something that matches the cushions.
Bedroom
Your private retreat, so it’s a great place to be more personal. Decide on the feeling you want to wake up to: calm and soft, warm and energising, or a piece with special meaning to you.
Kitchen
A busy, social room. Choose art that lifts the space without competing with it, and keep it clear of the stove and sink where heat and splashes happen.
Dining room
Perfect for atmosphere and conversation. A painting with rich detail, colour or meaning gives guests something to enjoy and talk about over a meal.
Entryways, hallways & stairs
These walls are seen in passing, so strong colour and striking shapes work well. Tall, vertical pieces suit narrow walls. In high-traffic spots, especially stairways, make sure the work is hung securely.
The overlooked rooms
A home office benefits from art that either energises or helps you focus. A nursery is a chance to choose a piece that can grow with your child. Small rooms are still everyday moments worth making beautiful.
What Size Painting Should You Buy?
Size is the number one worry for first-time buyers, but it’s more intuitive than it seems. You want a piece that feels balanced on the wall: not so small that it looks lost, and not so large that it overwhelms the room.
Hang it at eye level
A good standard is to hang art so its centre sits around 57–60 inches (145–152 cm) from the floor. Above furniture, the relationship to the furniture matters more than the exact number: over a sofa, bed or fireplace, aim for a painting roughly two-thirds to three-quarters the width of the piece below it, with about 8–10 inches of space in between.
Horizontal, vertical or square?
Let the wall and the furniture guide you. Horizontal (landscape) works above sofas, beds and sideboards; vertical (portrait) suits narrow walls, hallways and the spaces between windows; square is the most flexible and fits almost anywhere.
Tip: every Artdez listing shows the exact dimensions. Cut a sheet of paper or cardboard to that size and tape it on your wall for a day or two to see how it feels.
When Do Materials Matter?
Most of the time you can simply choose what you love. A few spots in the home, though, need a little planning to keep a painting looking its best for years.
Bathrooms & humidity
Acrylic paintings and framed, glazed work generally cope with humidity better than oils, works on paper or delicate mixed media. Keep art away from direct shower spray and make sure the room is well ventilated.
Kitchens
Heat, steam and cooking splashes make kitchens one of the toughest rooms for art. Acrylic on canvas holds up well and can be gently dusted. Avoid placing works on paper near the stove or sink.
Sunlight & fading
Direct sun is the biggest long-term threat to any artwork. UV light can fade colours over time, especially on paper and in watercolour. Choose a wall out of direct sunlight, use blinds or curtains during the brightest hours, or use UV-protective glass on framed pieces. Oils and acrylics are more resilient, but none enjoy harsh afternoon sun all year.
Patios & outdoor spaces
Even covered outdoor areas see swings in temperature and humidity that traditional paintings aren’t made for. For outdoor display, look for work made with exterior-grade materials, or ask us about a commission designed for it.
Should Art Match Your Décor?
Will it “go” with my furniture and wall colour? It’s one of the most common questions we hear, and the honest answer is that art is far more forgiving than you think.
Complement, don’t copy
You don’t need to match your cushions or paint exactly. Art usually looks best when it complements a room. Look for a painting that shares one or two colours with the space: warm tones can ground a neutral room, and a touch of blue can tie together blue accents you already have. Aim for harmony, not uniformity.
Mix styles freely
Your walls don’t need one single style. An abstract can sit happily next to a floral or a piece of Islamic calligraphy. What ties a collection together is your own taste, so choose works you genuinely connect with.
Photos and other wall pieces
Originals and family photos can live together. In a gallery wall, mix framed photos with smaller paintings for a collected, personal feel. Elsewhere, give a statement painting room to breathe and group photos on another wall.
What if my taste changes?
It will, and that’s completely normal. A piece you love today reflects who you are right now. If your style shifts, the painting can move to another room while new work joins the collection. Trust your instincts and choose what speaks to you today.
How Should You Display Your Art?
Once you’ve found the one, it’s time to decide how to show it off. You have more options than you might expect.
Hang it or lean it
Not every painting needs a nail. Leaning art on a mantel, shelf or console creates a relaxed, layered look that’s easy to change. Hanging is the classic choice for busy areas, above furniture, or anywhere you want a permanent feel.
Does it need a frame?
It depends on the medium. Works on paper, such as watercolours and drawings, almost always need framing for protection. Paintings on canvas with finished edges often look great unframed. Some collectors love the clean look of bare canvas; others prefer the polish of a frame. Not sure? Ask us.
Stretched vs. unstretched canvas
A stretched canvas is pulled tight over a wooden frame and is ready to hang. An unstretched canvas is loose and needs to be professionally stretched or mounted before display; these works are usually shipped rolled in a tube rather than flat. Each Artdez listing tells you how the work ships.
Stretching & framing costs
Local framers typically charge a few hundred dollars to stretch a large canvas, and custom framing varies widely with frame quality, matting and glass. If budget matters, ask your framer about standard sizes or simpler profiles.
Buying with Confidence at Artdez
One-of-one originals
Every painting is hand-made and unique. Once it’s yours, it isn’t reproduced and sold as the same original again.
Certificate of Authenticity
Each painting ships with a signed certificate carrying its unique artwork ID. Read our Authenticity Guarantee.
Clear details on every listing
Size, medium and materials are listed for each work, so you can measure your wall and plan with confidence before you buy.
Help when you need it
Questions about size, placement or shipping? Visit our Help Center, check our Refund & Returns policy, or contact us directly.
Above all: buy what you love.
The right painting for your home is the one that moves you, not the one that ticks every rule. Start with a single piece you’re excited about, hang it where you’ll see it every day, and let it change the feel of your space.