There are many types of art to choose from and this can make it very difficult for the person used to posters and impersonal, often mass produced photographs. Unlike these types of decorations, art has a personal and often intimate feel that makes the viewer either love or hate the work. Art is as much about the viewer as the artwork itself. Statements mean nothing if no-one pays attention. To choose an artwork that suits you, first think about the style of work that makes you feel connected to something, happy, challenged or just makes you think about the colours and textures you love in everyday life. Find an artwork that reflects these or appeals to you in some way.

Art comes in many forms. The medium can be a painted canvas, a photo or a sculpture. It can also be jewellery, architecture and glasswork. These mediums are usually chosen by the artist due to the artist’s skill in manipulating the chosen medium and/or the medium’s flexibility assisting in recreating the artist’s thoughts into a coherent and solid artwork. The types of works you like are usually due to how much you understand the artist’s thoughts and the beauty, whether strange and challenging or aesthetically appealing, of the final work. The medium of the artworks you like may vary. There is no dedicated lover of sculptures who hasn’t loved a painting or a bracelet.

Art can be generally acceptable, politically challenging, a social comment, fun and quirky or just plain lovable. Art can be of an object, a person, the environment, places and events as well as political and social issues. All have the ability to turn a house into a home and all give an impression to others of what sort of person you are.

There is a common misconception that art is to be studied and appreciated as a puzzle, an encrypted piece only the artist could ever fully understand. In some cases of abstract and conceptual art the misconception seems to be all too real. You can stare for hours at some pieces and wonder what on earth they mean. This however could be either you haven’t run into the issue that the artist is addressing, the artist failed in portraying his or her thoughts or that there is no meaning after all. Art can simply be for art’s sake; for fun and for beauty. The art should be appreciated only if you appreciate it. It is highly personal and should never be abused as a status symbol or to give the impression to others that you are incredibly smart for understanding what is going on. Nor should you have to write an essay in your mind on the structure, line, light, concept and style of a piece just because art students seem to do this regularly. Art students need to find out how art is made and how messages are conveyed. You do not. You can just appreciate and love the work you wish to hang in your house.

In choosing works for your home consider the light, space and impact of a room on the piece as well as the wear and tear of a piece in your home. Will the cat jump on it and break the arm off neatly in a Greek goddess fashion or will the cat jump on it and shatter the piece all over your lounge room floor. Also, don’t be afraid of placing works that make statements within your home. Find works that fit into your life perfectly and let others be curious.

And finally, if you cannot find an work that suits you and that you can afford consider commissioning artworks. Prices are generally negotiable from the start, as long as the artist is willing, and the piece is more than likely going to be something you will absolutely love. Your thoughts are behind the artwork and you will never feel the need to interpret the work once it is finished.

Happy hunting.