Buying original art online means you can't hold it up to the wall before committing. But with the right approach, you can evaluate a piece with real confidence before placing your order. This guide walks you through everything to check so you can picture the work in your space and feel sure about your decision.
Start With Dimensions
Dimensions are the single most important factor when buying art online. Before you fall in love with a piece, measure the wall or space where you plan to hang it.
What to do:
- Measure the width and height of your intended wall space in inches or centimetres.
- Compare those measurements against the artwork dimensions listed on the product page.
- If the work is framed, check whether the listed dimensions refer to the artwork itself or to the total framed size. If it's unclear, contact our team before purchasing.
- As a general rule, artwork should cover roughly 60–75% of the wall's width. For a sofa or bed, art that spans two-thirds of the furniture width tends to look balanced.
Quick check: Use painter's tape on your wall to map out the exact artwork size. This takes two minutes and removes most of the guesswork.
Think About Wall Placement
Where a piece lives in a room affects how it reads. Consider the following before purchasing:
- Anchor walls — A large or statement work tends to work best on a wall you see when you first enter a room.
- Above furniture — Leave 15–20 cm (6–8 inches) of space between the bottom of the frame and the top of a sofa, console, or headboard.
- Eye level — The center of an artwork should typically sit at around 145–150 cm (57–60 inches) from the floor, which is the standard gallery hanging height.
- Lighting — Consider whether the wall receives natural light or needs a spotlight. Some works respond well to directional lighting; others don't need it.
If you're unsure about placement for a specific piece, our curatorial team can advise. See Art Advisory for details
Consider Scale and Proportion
Scale isn't just about fit it's about presence. A piece that's too small can get lost; one that's too large can overwhelm a space.
- Small works work well in clusters, in narrow hallways, on shelves, or in intimate rooms like a home office or reading nook.
- Medium works are the most versatile. They suit most living spaces, dining rooms, and bedrooms.
- Large-scale works make a strong statement and generally need open wall space with room to breathe. They work well in living rooms, entryways, and open-plan spaces.
If a piece is available in multiple sizes, consider which scale fits your room rather than defaulting to the largest or most affordable option.
Review Colour and Mood
Think about how the artwork's colour palette and mood interact with your existing space.
Colors:
- Look at the dominant and accent colours in the work.
- Consider whether they complement or contrast your walls, furniture, and textiles.
- Neutral rooms can support bold works; rooms with strong existing colour may pair better with quieter pieces.
Mood and tone:
- Does the energy of the work match how you want the room to feel?
- A calm, muted abstract may suit a bedroom; a vivid figurative work may energise a living or dining space.
- Review the listing images at full resolution to get the clearest read on colour and tone.
If you're unsure how a piece might interact with your interior, take a photo of your room and share it with our advisory team. They can help you narrow down options that genuinely fit.
Check Framing and Presentation Details
How an artwork is presented affects how it looks on the wall and whether additional work is needed before hanging.
On each listing, look for:
- Framed or unframed — Some works are sold ready to hang; others are sold unframed or unstretched.
- Canvas or paper — Stretched canvas works are generally ready to hang. Works on paper may need framing after purchase.
- Edge finish — For stretched canvas, check whether the sides are painted or raw, which affects whether framing is recommended.
- Hanging hardware — Some works include hanging hardware; others do not. If it matters to you, ask before purchasing.
If the listing doesn't make the presentation format clear, reach out to our support team before placing your order.
Ask for Guidance Before You Buy
If you've gone through these steps and still feel uncertain, don't guess. Our curatorial team offers complimentary art advisory to help you choose works that suit your space, style, and budget.
You can share:
- Photos of your room or wall
- Your existing color palette or interior style
- The size range that works for your space
- Any works you've already saved to your Favourites
We'll help you assess whether a specific piece is the right fit or suggest alternatives you may not have considered.
Contact Our Curators to get started.
Need More Help?
- Questions about a specific listing — Contact Support
- Personalized art selection guidance — Contact Our Curators
- How to save artworks while you decide — Saving Favourite Artworks
- Ready to purchase — How To Start Buying Works