There are few things in a young adult's life that scream "luxury" more than living in an apartment in New York City with fine art. Someday, you might move on from your seventeenth-floor flat with happy memories in tow, but your artwork will always come with you.

It’s becoming the latest design must-have as well. According to Yelp's 2022 Home Trend Forecast Report, there was an increase of 181% for art installation search terms, indicating a shift toward creativity and self-expression in interior design.

Meanwhile, Sotheby's 2021 Historic Year In Review saw a 78% expansion into the 40-and-under demographic — a new trend for art market audiences. However, despite its importance to home design, art is often an afterthought for many people.

For those who prefer the finer things in life, it may be best to reconsider your stance on incorporating visually-pleasing pieces into your space. Here are five tips for curating art for your luxury apartment.

1. Choose Your Mood

Anybody with a Pinterest account knows the addiction of pinning design inspiration for your dream home — what starts as a few minutes to pass the time ends up being hours later.

Creating a separate board for art is an excellent way to discover your preferences, especially since the first step to curation is uncovering what feeling you want to elicit in each room. Do you want to create a bright and sunny mood, a relaxing sensation or something dramatic?

Maybe you have an affinity for color or wild prints to pop against a white wall or neutral furniture, creating an adventurous vibe. On the other hand, you might prefer your artwork to blend into the space or to make a gallery wall for a more organized atmosphere.

Figuring out the mood you want to convey is essential before selecting paintings and sculptures to fill the space. Studies show art promotes the aesthetic-emotional experience, activating the self-rewarding nature of the brain and stimulating pleasure, health and well-being.

2. Start Small

Filling your rooms with large paintings and ornate sculptures can overwhelm your senses. Each piece will fight for attention and the whole area will feel a chaotic mix of designs.

Start small and look for ways to utilize artwork to brighten overlooked areas in your apartment. You might be surprised by the massive impact smaller pieces can have. Additionally, acquiring your collection one piece at a time allows you to uncover your artistic tastes while experimenting with ways to fill awkward corners and spaces with visual intrigue.

You can find bronze sculptures for sale here or through an online search, plus plenty of painting selections. Be sure to mix up your mediums not only to avoid monotony but also to help you discover what impresses you.

3. Be Particular

Art curation can be overwhelming when you’re beginning your collection. Going piece by piece is a gentler approach to becoming an art enthusiast, but being selective about your choices is also critical. You might risk a massive design faux pas if you purchase all of your art at once.

Purchasing your first work of art is the stepping stone to creating an immaculate collection for your luxury apartment. Your first piece may be an obvious choice for you, so build off that painting, print or sculpture to shape the rest of your art design.

Figuring out how to illuminate what you acquire is just as important — particularly in dark areas where it might get lost. Consider the finishes and decide what sort of lighting works best. For instance, framed acrylic paintings, watercolors and photographs may require LED lights to prevent glare and shine from the glass.

4. Budget

Art can be expensive — and as a young adult just starting to source art, you might be seeing dollar signs everywhere.

Any art collector will agree you don't have to fill your apartment with rare paintings from renowned artists and break the bank. Set aside a budget for your art collection and determine what you can currently afford. Wanting to add unique pieces to your space is understandable, but affordable alternatives are usually available.

For example, limited edition prints are original artwork an artist sells for a specific time in small batches. If you’re all about having something unique, try finding a few artists you love and research the next time they’ll be doing a limited run.

5. Buy Commissioned Art

The art sales market has increased 17% after a significant drop during the pandemic — and while there's been an uptick of 5.3 million more transactions since 2020, it's still below pre-pandemic figures.

Artists rely on collectors to earn an income. As such, commissioning your first significant piece may do two things — allow you to include a fully-personalized, unique work that stands out and support struggling artists.

Commissions are more accessible than ever as more independent artists find their way to online and mobile sales platforms, reaching broader audiences and deepening connections with art collectors. If an artist is open for commissions, inquire about their prices and what kind of piece you would like.

Surround Yourself With Beautiful Art at Home

Learning how to curate your art collection for your luxury apartment can tie together a design that speaks to your personality and passions. It also helps you create a beautiful space that feels like an art museum, heightening the atmosphere of daily life and any events you hold.

Use these tips to determine the best way to fill your home with art that speaks to your tastes and accentuates your living space.

Author

Evelyn Long is the editor-in-chief of Renovated. Her real estate work has been published by the National Association of REALTORS®, Rental Housing Journal, and other online publications.