Houzz Wall Art: Interior Design Platform Shopping

So I’ve been spending way too much time on Houzz lately and honestly it’s kinda become my go-to for wall art shopping, which wasn’t even what I expected when I first started using the platform. Like I originally just went there for bathroom tile ideas for a client project but then fell down this rabbit hole of art shopping and now here we are.

Getting Started With The Search Function

Okay so first thing you gotta know is that Houzz’s search is both amazing and incredibly frustrating at the same time. If you just type “wall art” you’re gonna get like 500,000 results and want to throw your laptop out the window. What actually works is being super specific from the start. I’ll type something like “abstract canvas art blue living room” or “large scale photography prints bedroom” and that narrows it down to something manageable.

The filters are your best friend here. On the left sidebar there’s all these options for price range, color, size, style, material. I always set my price range first because otherwise I fall in love with a $3,000 piece when my budget is like $300. Been there too many times and it’s just depressing.

The Photo Search Thing That Changed Everything

Wait I forgot to mention the coolest feature which is that you can click on photos in people’s actual home tours and then Houzz will show you similar products. So like I was looking at this gorgeous modern farmhouse living room last week and clicked on the art above their sofa and boom, it pulled up 15 similar pieces in different price ranges. Some were the actual piece from the photo, others were just similar vibes. This is honestly how I shop now because I can see the art styled in a real space first instead of just on a white background.

Understanding The Houzz Marketplace vs External Links

Here’s something that confused me for like three months when I first started using Houzz seriously. Some products you can buy directly through Houzz’s checkout, and others redirect you to the seller’s website. The ones with the little shopping cart icon that’s filled in are direct purchases through Houzz. The ones with just an outline send you elsewhere.

I actually prefer buying directly through Houzz when possible because their customer service has been pretty solid the two times I needed to return something. Plus you can track everything in one place which is nice when you’re ordering art for multiple rooms and can’t remember what’s coming from where.

My Actual Process For Finding The Right Piece

Okay so this is gonna sound weird but I always start by saving like 20-30 pieces to my ideabooks first before I commit to anything. Houzz lets you create these collections which are basically Pinterest boards but specifically for stuff on their platform. I’ll make one called like “Living Room Art Options March 2024” and just go crazy saving everything that catches my eye.

Then I come back the next day because late night shopping decisions are dangerous and I’ve definitely bought some questionable art pieces at 11pm that looked very different in morning light. My cat knocked over my coffee while I was doing this yesterday actually and I almost ordered something by accident when I grabbed my laptop.

When I’m looking at each saved piece again with fresh eyes, I check:

• The actual dimensions because photos are so deceiving
• Whether it’s a print, original, or canvas reproduction
• Shipping costs because some sellers charge insane amounts
• Return policy because art is so personal and sometimes it just doesn’t work in the space
• Reviews if there are any

The Dimension Thing Is Crucial

I cannot stress this enough – measure your wall space before you start shopping. I keep a note in my phone with all my wall dimensions for different areas because I got tired of finding the perfect piece only to realize it’s either way too small or won’t fit. Houzz lists dimensions but you really gotta pay attention because a 24×36 print looks massive in the product photo but might look tiny on your actual wall.

Also check if the dimensions include the frame or not. Some sellers list the art size, others list the framed size, and it’s not always clear which one they mean.

Price Ranges And What You Actually Get

So I’ve bought art at basically every price point on Houzz at this point and here’s what I’ve learned. Under $100 you’re mostly looking at prints, posters, and mass-produced canvas pieces. Which is totally fine honestly, some of them are really good quality. I got this abstract landscape print for $65 last year and everyone asks where it’s from.

The $100-300 range is where you start seeing better quality prints, some hand-embellished canvases, and smaller original works. This is my sweet spot for most client projects because you get decent quality without breaking the bank.

Above $300 you’re getting into original paintings, limited edition prints, larger scale pieces, and higher-end photography. I’ve splurged in this range for my own place and for clients with bigger budgets, and yeah the quality difference is noticeable but not always necessary depending on the space.

Filtering By Style Actually Helps

The style filters on Houzz are pretty accurate which surprised me. If you select “modern” you actually get modern pieces, not just whatever the seller decided to tag. Same with contemporary, traditional, farmhouse, etc. I was working on a mid-century modern bedroom last month and filtering by that style saved me so much time.

Oh and another thing – the color filter is super useful when you’re trying to match or complement existing decor. You can select multiple colors too so if you need art with blues and greens you can filter for both.

Reading Between The Lines On Product Descriptions

Okay so this is gonna sound cynical but you gotta read product descriptions carefully because sometimes sellers are… creative with their wording. “Gallery wrapped canvas” usually means it’s a print on canvas stretched over wooden bars. “Giclee print” means it’s a high-quality inkjet reproduction. “Original artwork” should mean it’s actually hand-painted or drawn by the artist.

If it says “printed on demand” that means they don’t make it until you order it, which can mean longer shipping times but also means it’s fresh and not been sitting in a warehouse. I actually don’t mind this for prints.

Watch out for phrases like “in the style of” or “inspired by” because that sometimes means it’s copying a more expensive artist’s work. Not necessarily bad but good to know what you’re getting.

The Framing Situation

This is where things get complicated. Some pieces come framed, some don’t, some offer framing as an add-on. My general rule is that if the art is under $200 and comes with a frame, it’s probably a pretty basic frame. Which again is fine if that works for your space.

For more expensive pieces or if you’re picky about framing, I usually buy the art unframed and take it to a local frame shop. Yeah it costs more but you get exactly what you want. Although Houzz does have some sellers who offer custom framing options where you can choose the frame style and mat colors which is pretty convenient.

Shipping Times And Costs Reality Check

Shipping times are all over the place on Houzz. Some sellers ship within a few days, others take 2-3 weeks, and custom pieces can take 4-6 weeks. Always check the estimated delivery date before ordering if you’re on a timeline.

Shipping costs can be brutal for large pieces. I’ve seen $50 shipping charges for big canvases which makes sense because they have to package them carefully but still hurts. Some sellers offer free shipping over a certain amount which is worth considering if you’re buying multiple pieces.

One time I ordered this huge 48×60 abstract piece and the shipping was $75 but it arrived in perfect condition with like three layers of protective packaging so I guess you get what you pay for there.

The Review Section Is Your Friend

I always read reviews before buying, especially for sellers I haven’t used before. People usually mention if colors look different in person, if quality was good or disappointing, if shipping was fast or slow, if packaging was secure. The photos people add to reviews are super helpful too because you can see the art in actual homes with real lighting.

If something has no reviews I’m more hesitant but not totally against it, especially if it’s a newer seller or a really unique piece I love. But if something has multiple negative reviews about quality or customer service, I’m out.

Questions You Can Ask Sellers

Most sellers on Houzz are pretty responsive if you message them with questions. I’ve asked about custom sizes, color variations, rush shipping, framing options, all kinds of stuff. Don’t be shy about this because it’s better to ask before you buy than be disappointed after.

Some questions I frequently ask:

• Can you send a photo of this piece in different lighting
• Is this available in a larger size
• What’s your return policy exactly
• Can you do a custom color version of this
• What type of hanging hardware is included

My Favorite Types Of Art To Buy On Houzz

Okay so after buying way too much art on this platform I’ve figured out what works best. Large scale abstract pieces are usually a good bet because the quality holds up even in prints and they make a big impact. Photography prints are hit or miss – really depends on the printing quality and paper type.

I’m obsessed with finding original small works by emerging artists on Houzz. There are some really talented people selling affordable originals in the $150-400 range and you get an actual one-of-a-kind piece. I bought this little 16×20 oil painting of a coastline for $225 and it’s one of my favorite things in my apartment.

Mixed media pieces photograph weirdly so those are harder to judge online but when they work they really work. Just gotta be more careful with those.

Creating Gallery Walls Through Houzz

This is actually where Houzz shopping gets really fun. You can buy multiple coordinating pieces from different sellers and create your own gallery wall. I use their ideabook feature to collect potential pieces and then arrange them virtually before committing.

Some sellers actually sell curated gallery wall sets which takes the guesswork out but I find those kinda limiting. I’d rather pick my own pieces even if it takes more time.

For gallery walls I usually stick to a consistent frame color or go all frameless. Mixing frame colors can work but it’s trickier to pull off. Also trying to keep a somewhat cohesive color palette even if the styles vary helps everything feel intentional.

The Save Feature And Wishlist Strategy

I mentioned ideabooks earlier but the save feature is slightly different – you can save items to a general wishlist which is good for stuff you might want eventually but aren’t ready to buy. I have like 200 pieces saved at this point which is probably excessive but whatever.

The cool thing is Houzz will sometimes email you if something you saved goes on sale. Happened to me twice and I actually bought both pieces because I’d been waiting for a price drop.

Seasonal Sales And Deals

Houzz definitely has sales around major holidays and they do this thing called “Houzz Finds” which features discounted items. I’ve gotten some good deals during their Black Friday and spring sales. But honestly the discounts aren’t usually massive like 15-25% off type stuff not like 50% off clearance.

Some individual sellers run their own promotions too so it’s worth following sellers you like to catch those deals.

Returns And What Happens When It Doesn’t Work

So I’ve had to return a few pieces over the years and the process varies depending on whether you bought through Houzz directly or through an external site. Houzz purchases are usually pretty straightforward – you request a return through your account, they give you a shipping label or instructions, and you send it back.

Just know that some sellers charge restocking fees or don’t accept returns on custom pieces which makes sense. Always read the return policy before buying especially for expensive pieces.

I returned this massive canvas last year because the colors were totally different than the photos showed – way more yellow-toned in person – and the seller was actually really understanding about it. Got a full refund minus return shipping.

Mobile App vs Desktop Shopping

The Houzz app is pretty good for browsing and saving stuff but I actually prefer buying on desktop because it’s easier to compare multiple pieces side by side and really examine details. The app is perfect for when you’re lying in bed scrolling though which is how I end up adding things to my wishlist at midnight while watching whatever show I’m currently binging.

Desktop also makes it easier to measure and calculate whether pieces will fit your space because you can have multiple tabs open with different options.

Anyway that’s basically everything I’ve learned from probably spending too much time and money on Houzz wall art. It’s honestly become one of my main sources for art shopping because the selection is huge and you can see pieces styled in real spaces which helps so much with visualization. Just take your time, use those filters, read descriptions carefully, and don’t be afraid to ask sellers questions.