Where to Buy Art Online: A Beginner’s Guide to Curating Your First Collection
I’ve always loved interior design and decorating. In my childhood room, I’d collage the walls. In college, I never missed a campus poster sale. An antique mall hates to see me coming. But now that I’ve gotten, shall we say, more mature, it doesn’t feel quite as cute or quaint to have a hodgepodge of ephemera haphazardly taped to my walls. It’s time to be a big girl and do things right, so I set out to find out 1) how to start my own collection, and 2) where to buy art online.
Having an art collection sounds so lofty, so esoteric, so refined. But every knowledgeable artsy person I spoke to on the subject assured me that I need not be intimidated. If you want to start your own collection, it’s as simple as that; just start one. Art is in the eye of the beholder, so don’t get hung up on your lack of credentials. Buy what speaks to you.
“Art doesn’t need to be expensive to make an impact,” Annica Wallin, executive creative director at Desenio, told me. “It’s about choosing pieces that resonate with you. Start small, mix and match, and don’t be afraid to experiment. Art should feel like a creative expression, not a perfect formula.”
One practical tip to note, however, is that people commonly underestimate their space. All my research—including my conversation with Wallin—drilled home the same point that shoppers tend to buy art that’s too small; so measure, measure, measure. And use painter’s tape to map out the dimensions on your wall to see how each piece scales.
I love using social media to find independent creators who sell from their own profiles and found that was an easy gateway to starting my collection. More recently, I treated myself to a reprint of a Slim Aarons photo that I love. And items like that, of course, are not sold on TikTok Shop. So, below, I’m breaking down my eight favorite places to find real art online.
“At Desenio, we curate collections designed by real artists in our own Stockholm-based art atelier, which means you’re getting thoughtfully crafted, high-quality art at an accessible price,” says Wallin of her company. For those in need of guidance, you can even shop by pre-designed gallery walls, so you’ll know exactly how everything looks together before you make a purchase. Plus, the brand is very quick to ship. And for the conscientious shopper, Desenio’s production process is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council and the company plants two new trees for every one used. The studio also works with Vi Agroforestry to ensure not only environmental stewardship, but care and consideration for the involved farmers, too.
When I need interior design inspiration, I go to Drool. The site features pages upon pages of photos from real customers showing off their gallery walls, and each one makes me want to shop. This site specializes in contemporary art in various formats, including graphic design prints and illustrated posters, from a global web of emerging artists. All its art is exclusive to the site, too. Materials are sustainably sourced and giclée printed using archival-grade processes, resulting in gallery quality, and you can opt in or out of handmade framing. One of my favorite things about this brand is Drool School, a miniature course on all things related to buying art. I recommend anyone reading this take a few minutes to check it out. Best of all, Drool has big sales regularly.
Have you ever thought about commissioning an artist for an original work? Well, when you do, Artfinder is the place to go. Browse and buy original works and communicate directly with artists for special requests or projects. The site offers free returns globally and carries every variety of style and medium that you could want, from nudist photorealism to sculptures to pet portraits. As an added bonus, the B-corp certified company is set to have net zero emissions by 2030.
Pssst....listen closely; I have a great secret hack. If you shop with Saatchi Art, you get access to a complimentary art advisor. Yes, a literal expert curator who can help you with your journey for no extra charge. The site is home to more than 1.4 million original works from nearly 100,000 emerging artists across more than 110 countries. In short, there’s gotta be something in the mix that you’ll like. This is also one of the few platforms where curators and collectors can share their own stories and insights. Meanwhile, artists can showcase their backgrounds, exhibition histories, and the stories behind their craft. Lastly—and this is the aspect I find most revolutionary—Saatchi’s app offers a “View in Your Room” feature, where you can literally visualize what a given piece would look like in your space.
For gifts, personalization, or custom requests, it’s got to be Etsy. You can feel good about supporting small-business owners while browsing millions of items. Get your favorite family photo etched into driftwood or have a meaningful lyric written out in beautiful calligraphy. “One of the things I love most are the talented emerging artists on Etsy who offer customized pieces, allowing you to work directly with the seller to bring your ideas to life and co-create something that feels uniquely yours,” says Danya Isom Johnson, the site’s trend expert. You can also find vintage goods and handmade crafts that double as wall art, like handwoven tapestries or archival newspapers. Etsy also carries a wide array of digital downloads for as little as $1—perfect if you’re willing to print at home.
According to 1st Dibs’ about page, the online bazaar has “captured the magic of the Paris flea market” for 25 years running. And if you weren’t shopping online, you have to admit that a French market sounds pretty dreamy, right? This site is one-of-a-kind. Shop from trusted global sellers for an original Julian Wasser photo, a signed Norman Rockwell piece from 1948 (for a cool $8 million), or any other collectible memorabilia, all of which are vetted and verified for authenticity by the brand’s in-house experts. Don’t let that big ticket item fool you, by the way, you can also find incredible gems for less than $50. It’s all about the hunt.
Speaking of the hunt, I can’t leave out eBay. Yes, you have to be careful. Yes, you could get scammed, so shop accordingly. Maybe stay away from that alleged original Picasso that conveniently doesn’t have any proof of authenticity. But it is your best bet at finding that random movie theater poster from 2005—or a One Direction concert setlist (asking for a friend). One of the best things about eBay is—and always has been—the chance to bid on and negotiate prices. So, if you’re just looking to add some garage-sale flair to your space without thinking too deeply about quality, it’s worth having a look.
Niche shoppers, this one is for you. At Great Big Canvas, you can be as picky and specific as you want. Browse by zodiac sign, room, color, or aesthetics like farmhouse, glam, or coastal. You can also filter by subject in case your heart is set on a saxophone painting or a photo of Palomino horse. Whatever you’re looking for, these works are handcrafted in the U.S. and include free returns. Customize the size, finish, and framing exactly as you like, and choose between a variety of styles, including gallery-wrapped canvas, framed prints, metal prints, and more.
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