Buy Wall Art: Complete Shopping Guide & Best Stores

So I just helped my sister find art for her new apartment and honestly the whole process made me realize how confusing buying wall art can be if you don’t know where to look. Like, there’s SO many options and half of them are total garbage quality but look great online.

Figure Out What You Actually Need First

Okay so before you even start browsing (because you’ll get sucked into a rabbit hole for three hours, trust me), measure your wall space. I use painter’s tape to outline where I’m thinking the art should go. Sounds extra but you’d be surprised how many people buy something way too small or absurdly large. General rule I follow is that art should take up about 2/3 to 3/4 of the furniture width below it. So if your couch is 90 inches, you’re looking at like 60-70 inches of art width total. Could be one big piece or a gallery wall situation.

Also think about your actual style because here’s the thing – you’re gonna be staring at this every single day. I had a client once who bought this trendy abstract piece because it was popular on Pinterest and she ended up hating it within a month. Don’t do that. If you’re drawn to landscapes, go with landscapes. If you like photography, lean into that.

Online Stores That Don’t Suck

Minted

I probably order from Minted once a month for various projects. Their quality is genuinely good and they have this thing where independent artists upload designs so you’re getting more unique stuff. Not like mass-produced hotel art vibes. They do sales constantly too – wait for 20-25% off, it happens basically every other week.

The framing options are where they really shine. You can customize frames, mats, everything. I usually go with their premium frames because the standard ones are kinda flimsy if I’m being honest. Shipping takes about 2-3 weeks with framing which is annoying when you need something fast but the end result is worth it.

Society6

This one’s hit or miss on quality but great for like… fun, personality-driven pieces. Artists sell their work and you can get it printed on basically anything. I got a shower curtain here once which sounds random but anyway.

The prints themselves are decent – not gallery quality but totally fine for most rooms. Just don’t get their cheapest canvas option, it’s weirdly thin. If you’re getting a print, frame it yourself or use their framed option. My cat knocked over one of their canvases and it dented so easily which was frustrating.

Price point is super accessible though. You can find stuff for like $20-50 unframed.

Artfully Walls

Okay this is more investment-level but if you want something really special, this is my go-to. Everything’s curated, lots of emerging artists, and the printing quality is insane. They use archival paper and professional framing.

Prices start around $200 and go up from there. I know that’s a lot but you’re getting actual art-quality pieces. The colors are accurate to what you see online which is huge because I’ve ordered from places where everything arrives way darker or more washed out than expected.

They also do custom sizing which has saved me multiple times when I needed something specific for a weird wall space.

Etsy

People sleep on Etsy for wall art but there’s so much good stuff if you know how to search. Look for digital downloads if you’re on a budget – you buy the file, download it, and print it yourself at a local print shop or even Costco. I’ve done this and spent like $30 total for a large print that would’ve cost $200+ framed elsewhere.

Search tips: use specific terms like “abstract line art print” or “vintage botanical poster” instead of just “wall art.” Read reviews obsessively. Check if the seller shows mockups in actual rooms because that helps with scale visualization.

Shipping times vary wildly since it’s individual sellers. Some ship next day, others take two weeks.

Physical Stores Worth Visiting

West Elm

Their art selection has gotten way better in the past few years. Not groundbreaking or anything but solid, well-made pieces that work in most spaces. The advantage here is you can see exactly what you’re getting – colors, texture, frame quality.

I bought a large abstract piece from them last year that still looks great. Their sales are the best time to shop, usually 20% off during major holidays. Oh and another thing – their online selection is bigger than in-store so if you see something online, call ahead to see if they have it to view in person.

HomeGoods/TJ Maxx

Okay so this is gonna sound weird but I’ve found some of my favorite pieces at HomeGoods. It’s completely random what they’ll have but that’s also the fun part? You gotta go regularly though because good stuff disappears fast.

I found this huge canvas with gold leaf details for $80 that would’ve easily been $300+ elsewhere. The trick is going to locations in nicer areas – they tend to get better inventory. Also go midweek when it’s less picked over.

Quality varies a lot so inspect everything carefully. Check the corners of canvases, make sure frames aren’t chipped, look at the print quality up close.

Local Art Fairs and Markets

If you have any art walks or markets in your area, go. I cannot stress this enough. You’re buying directly from artists, can see the work in person, and usually get a better deal than through galleries. Plus you get a story behind the piece which I know sounds cheesy but it actually makes it more meaningful.

Bring cash because some artists don’t take cards. And don’t be afraid to negotiate a bit, especially if you’re buying multiple pieces or it’s near the end of the event.

What to Actually Look For Quality-Wise

Canvas prints should have the image wrapped around the edges (called gallery wrap) so you don’t see white edges when it’s hung. The canvas should be taut, not saggy.

For framed prints, the mat should be acid-free if you care about preservation. The glass should be clear without weird distortions. I usually upgrade to acrylic glazing for anything expensive because it’s lighter and doesn’t shatter.

Paper prints – look for terms like “giclée” or “archival ink” which means it won’t fade quickly. Regular poster prints are fine for temporary stuff but they’ll fade within a couple years in direct sunlight.

The Frame Situation

Honestly I frame a lot of stuff myself now because custom framing is SO expensive. Michael’s and Hobby Lobby have decent ready-made frames and they’re constantly on sale. I’m talking 50-70% off. Never pay full price there.

For custom framing, I use a local shop because the big chains (looking at you, Michael’s custom framing) are wildly overpriced. A local framer did a large piece for me for $180 that Michael’s quoted at $450. Just call around and get quotes.

IKEA frames are fine for basic stuff but they’re not great quality. The backing is flimsy and the plexiglass scratches easily. But for like $15 you can’t really complain.

Gallery Wall Tips Since You’re Probably Thinking About It

I do gallery walls constantly and here’s what actually works: lay everything out on the floor first. Take a picture. That’s your map. Then cut paper templates of each piece, tape them to the wall with painter’s tape, and adjust until it looks right. THEN start hammering nails.

Keep spacing consistent – I do 2-3 inches between frames. Mix sizes but try to balance visual weight. Don’t put all your big pieces on one side.

Start with the center piece or the piece that’s going above furniture, then work outward. I use those Command picture hanging strips for lighter pieces (under 5 lbs) because I move stuff around a lot and they don’t damage walls.

Budget Breakdown Real Talk

You can do a whole room for under $200 if you’re strategic. Digital downloads from Etsy ($10-30 each), print at Costco ($15-20 for large sizes), IKEA frames ($10-20). That’s like $45 per piece and looks way more expensive than it is.

Mid-range budget ($500-800) – get a couple statement pieces from Minted or Artfully Walls and fill in with less expensive options from Society6 or HomeGoods. This is usually what I recommend because you get some quality pieces mixed with affordable ones.

If you’re going all-in ($1000+), focus on original art or limited edition prints. Saatchi Art and 1stDibs have great stuff but it’s investment level. Only worth it if you’re really committed to the piece and the space.

Random Things I Learned the Hard Way

Colors look different in person than online always. If a site offers samples, get them. Minted does this for like $5.

Wait I forgot to mention – lighting changes everything. Art that looks amazing in natural light might look flat under warm LED bulbs. Test lighting before you commit to placement.

Don’t hang art too high. The center should be at eye level, which is usually around 57-60 inches from the floor. I see this mistake constantly and it makes rooms feel weird.

For renters, 3M Command strips are your friend but check the weight limits carefully. I’ve had pieces crash down at 2am which scared the hell out of me and my dog went crazy barking at nothing.

Oh and if you’re buying from Instagram artists (which I do sometimes), use PayPal goods and services for protection. I got scammed once buying through Venmo with no recourse. Learned that lesson.

Honestly the biggest thing is just to start. Buy one piece you really love even if it’s $30 from Society6, hang it up, see how it makes the room feel. You’ll figure out your style way faster by actually living with art than endlessly scrolling trying to find the “perfect” thing. My living room has evolved over three years and I’ve switched out probably half the pieces as my taste changed and that’s totally fine.