How do interior designers find art for clients?
Interior designers often work with clients who require art. I have built my own art practice by working with interior designers, and absolutely love the creative collaboration. I recently did a short series of interviews asking how interior designers tend to find art for their projects, and what is important for them. I’m sharing what I found out in this post.
How interior designers source art
Interior designers often play a role in selecting and sourcing art for their clients' spaces. The process begins with a thorough understanding of the client's preferences, style, and budget. Interior designers need to know the client's tastes and the overall aesthetic they want to achieve. Based on the client's preferences and the design concept, the interior designer develops an artistic vision for the space. This vision guides the selection of art pieces. Then, for designers, the research begins. Here are some of the places they look for art:
Art Galleries, Dealers and Consultants: Designers will go to known and reputable galleries and art curators for important or high profile projects. They know the price will be higher, but often that budget offsets any risk the client might feel in choosing a more unknown artist. Here, galleries, dealers and consultants are trusted advisors. Interior designers and their clients will pay a premium to alleviate perceived risk.
Online Art Marketplaces: Art marketplaces make it easier for interior designers to explore a wide range of art options. Many online platforms offer curated art collections and provide tools to visualize how artworks might look in a particular space. Interior designers will go to online marketplaces to get a sense of what art might be available. Saatchi Art and Bluethumb were discussed in the interviews. However interior designers are often unsure about specifying art from online marketplaces because they can’t be sure of the quality of the piece. Their reputation is on the line with every recommendation. For artists, describing the quality of materials and showing detail shots of finishes can help.
“My reputation is on the line with every recommendation I make.”
Art Fairs and Exhibitions: For interior designers, attending art fairs and exhibitions can be a great way to discover new and emerging artists and artworks. Interior designers may come across one-of-a-kind pieces that can enhance their designs. However art fairs aren’t always on, and they take time out of an interior designer’s busy day.
Antique Stores: Antique stores can be treasure troves of unique and historical art pieces. Interior designers often visit such places to find art that complements their design concepts. It is quite common to see an eclectic mix of classical or traditional art with modern art in a space.
Auctions: Participating in art auctions, whether online or in-person, allows interior designers to bid on rare and valuable pieces that clients wish to source.
Instagram: Interior designers will look for artists on Instagram, but will rarely buy from Instagram. Social media tends to be used as a research tool and quality check by interior designers. For artists, your Instagram profile and website are important quality and professional check points.
Interior designer recommendations: Interior designers tend to follow each other’s work. They also follow leading interior designers to keep track of trends in the industry. This means that if you have already worked with one interior designer, you are more likely to work with more. Interior designers meet and talk with one another about businesses and suppliers they love working with (and who they avoid!).
Artist Collaborations: Designers work directly with trusted artists, commissioning custom pieces that are tailored to the specific needs of the space. This approach ensures a unique and personalized touch to the interior. Working with local artists can be a way to incorporate a regional or cultural element into the design. Interior designers often explore the local art scene to find suitable pieces and will contact artists directly to find out how they work. They want to know that if they offer your work to their client, it is going to be a good result for everyone. An interior designer normally wants to see work available now, the price, clear images, info on how you run your art practice, if you do commissioned work, and an easy way to contact you. Otherwise they may keep scrolling.
Commission by Sarah Daly, installed in the client’s stairwell.
“Artwork can be amazing inspiration for a design concept. We love art that inspires us, and that our clients love when they are hung up and seen everyday.”
- Angie Rogers Interior Design
Throughout the process, interior designers keep their clients involved in the art selection process, seeking their input and approval to ensure the final choices resonate with the client's vision. Finding the right art for clients involves a combination of creativity, research, relationships within the art world, and with artists. An important thing for artists to remember is interior designers work hard to find and keep valuable clients who trust them. Their reputation is fundamental to their success. They are more likely to work with people and businesses that they can rely on to deliver work of quality.
What’s next?
If you are interested in working with interior designers, check in on how you are presenting your art and your art business. Ask yourself whether it would be easy for an interior designer to specify your work to their clients. Do you look like you are creating high quality, professional art that their clients will love?
Want to learn more about working with interior designers?
Most artists focus on selling through galleries and online marketplaces, however there is another larger channel to market: interior designers. Working with interior designers is very different to working with art galleries and there are specific approaches that will increase your chance of success. I have recently researched over 2,500 interior designers globally. Learn how to find, connect and develop relationships with the right interior designers for your art practice in the new ‘Working with Interior Designers’ online course. This course is designed for artists who are already working at a professional level and want a new sales channel.