Decorating With Framed Art Prints

Adding artwork to your home can be expensive, but there are ways you can minimize the cost. Art is subjective and the art that you put in your home should reflect your personality and individual style. Choosing artwork so that it will match your sofa is fine, but it doesn't add warmth to your room. Instead, look for artwork that reaches out to you and makes a connection.

Purchasing art prints instead of original pieces of art can greatly reduce the amount you'll pay to decorate. You won't be getting the only copy in the world, but you also be able to afford a larger piece or a few additional prints. If you're concerned about the print's future value, look for limited edition prints instead of open edition prints. With limited editions, the maximum number of prints made is predetermined and once they are sold out, no more will be made.

Art prints come in a variety of qualities, from poster to giclee. Giclee prints are typically high quality and are thicker than posters which means that they should last for years if they are framed and taken care of.

Framing your art work will likely cost more than purchasing the art prints themselves. You can help to minimize the framing costs by purchasing ready made frames, especially if your print is in a standard size. Most ready made frames come with a matting to add the appearance of depth around your print. If the dimensions of your print require custom framing, look for sales and price out a few framing stores to get the best price. You might be surprised! If you start out by telling the salesperson what your budget is, they can more easily put some ideas together for you.

An alternative to buying a new frame is to look for a used frame at antique shows or garage sales. Make sure it's large enough for your print as well as a matting. The frame may need some cleaning up or a coat of paint, but if the price is right...!

Decorating with art doesn't have to be expensive, especially if you know what you want ahead of time. Do your homework to find out what pieces you want, and then find the most affordable way to frame them. Stay away from impulse buying, because that's when you usually end up paying more.

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