If you’re moving into a new house, one of your biggest priorities will be making it comfortable—giving it that unmistakable “home” quality that fills you with relief and satisfaction when you walk in the door. The first step will be unpacking all your belongings and making sure they end up where they’re supposed to; during this phase, you’ll evaluate and place some of your favorite existing art pieces. But then, you’ll need to work on filling out the other areas of your house.

What’s the best way to approach finding and choosing new art for your home?

Professional Rules for Finding Art for Your Home
Follow these rules if you want to maximize your chances of finding art you love for your new home:

1. Don’t rush the process. First off, this is a process that’s going to take time. If you want to find the perfect pieces for your new home, you’re going to need to get to know your home better, and you’ll need to explore all your options. If you act too quickly, you might end up with a piece that doesn’t quite fit the mood you want to establish. More importantly, finding art is as important as appreciating art once you have it; embrace this process and learn to truly enjoy it.

2. Peruse local art galleries. One of the best ways to find art is to look for it in person—and that means perusing the local art galleries. This is also a great chance to get to know the area (if you’ve moved somewhere new), and a chance to meet new people. You can also be assured that the art available will meet certain standards. How you feel in an art gallery might not be the same as how you feel in your own home, but this is still a good place to start.

3. Get to know individual artists. If possible, get to know the individual artist responsible for some of your favorite pieces before you buy their work. If they’re a local artist, you can talk to them in person and get inside their head; what were they trying to do with this piece? If not, you may be able to read their biography and learn more about their personal style. Either way, you’ll be able to take home a piece with a bit of history to it, and you’ll feel a much more personal connection to the art.

4. Understand the overall layout and feel of your home. Take the time to understand the flow and feel of your home. What kind of vibe do you want to set for the living room? Where do you have the most space to display art, and how much space do you really have? This can help you find the most appropriate pieces.

5. Consider trades. Unless you’re wealthy, you’ll probably be working with a finite budget. But in the art world, most people are interested in art more than profitability. Accordingly, you may be able to get a piece you love that’s too expensive if you offer an interesting trade. Be prepared to offer some of your other pieces, or an art or craft you’ve created on your own.

6. Embrace your personal taste. While there’s room for debate on the topic, for the most part, art is subjective. Just because you see a piece that’s technically masterful or incredibly popular doesn’t mean it’s a good fit for your home. Similarly, a piece of art that’s passed over or ignored may end up being one of your personal favorites. Learn to embrace your personal taste and style.

7. Remain open to commissions. There’s no guarantee you’ll be able to find a “perfect” piece in the wild. If you have a vision for what you’d like to see on your master bedroom wall, for example, you might never encounter an ideal fit. If this is the case, consider reaching out for a custom developed commission.

8. When you find the right piece, act fast. Art tends to move fast, and if you like a given piece, chances are, someone else likes it just as much. When everything feels right, act on your instincts and buy it up.

The Finishing Touches
When you find art that speaks to you and you bring it home, the last touches will be finding a way to display that art properly. That may include getting the right frame or stand for the art, or finding the perfect room or position to put it in. This, too, is a process that may take time, so try not to get frustrated if you don’t find an immediate fit.