5 affordable ways to introduce art to your home
hi-5
our top 5 picks … for everything design-related & more!
may 2021
We believe your home should reflect your unique personality and style. Your walls are a blank canvas waiting for you to add some “flair.”
We know that picking art can be intimidating - endless choices, high prices, not knowing where to shop - but it doesn’t have to be!
Art is subjective, so if you find something that speaks to you - it reflects your style, inspires an emotional response, or you just love it - add it to your life!
For this month’s hi-5, here are 5 affordable ways to bring art to your home.
minted
photo credit: minted.com
You’re probably familiar with the company, ‘minted’ for their awesome cards, but they also have a fantastic art program. They offer curated art prints by independent artists from all over the world.
You can browse prints by media, style, and collections. They also offer prints in a variety of sizes with 17 different frame options in 6 formats. There are hundreds of prints at affordable prices.
kids’ art
photo credit: younghouselove.com
Picasso said “every child is an artist.”
Kid’s art is a great conversation starter and we certainly encourage coming up with creative ways to display their work.
Opportunities include: creating a gallery wall specifically for kid art; a cork board, pin-up wall allows you to rotate the art quickly and regularly, as does art shelves, or wire strands with clips; or, photograph a bunch of work and create a digital poster with thumbnails that you print and hang.
antique markets
photo credit: ramblemarket.com
The possibilities are endless at an antique market, but it’s also hit or miss and may require patience and persistence. If you get lucky, you can find stunning pieces at affordable prices.
In Massachusetts, we have some fantastic local options to check out: The Ramble Market in Waltham, Winsmith Mill Market in Norwood, and the Cider Mills Antique in Sterling are some of our local favorites.
Check them out! You never know what you might find!
fabric
photo credit: bhg.com
Create your own art by using a bold fabric wrapped on a canvas. This is an easy and affordable way to create your own DIY artwork.
Find a striking fabric - Marimekko, Spoonflower, Etsy, Ikea - are some options to find fun, bold prints - that could make a statement as a wrapped canvas.
To wrap the canvas, pick a canvas size, the fabric should be 4” bigger on each side than the canvas, lay the fabric face down with the canvas facedown on top, start on one side, staple the fabric in place, continue along each side, stretching and stapling. Leave the corners for last. Hold the corner straight up in the air and flatten the fabric down to create a triangle. Staple in place.
local artists
photo credit: marylewey.com
Supporting local artists is a great way to bring original work into your home. It is also a great way to explore new art forms - such as the world of collage.
Etsy is another easy-to-use source for local artists. You can filter your settings to search for local sellers.
Most local art studios have open studios, which offers you a chance to go into art studios and see the creations of artists in their work space. You can talk directly to the artist about their process, inspirations, and art.
Boston has lots of studio spaces, usually with open studios in the spring and fall. Finally, many art schools have art sales. This is a great opportunity to buy art from up-and-coming artists.