Who Should Choose Your Art: You or Your Designer?
When it comes to selecting artwork for a home, some homeowners are deeply involved in the process, while others prefer to leave it entirely to their interior designer. But who should ultimately make the decision? The answer depends on what you value most—personal connection or seamless curation.
Many high-net-worth homeowners trust their designers to source artwork, especially for large-scale pieces. Designers bring expertise in composition, scale, and how art interacts with furniture, lighting, and architecture. “Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works,” as Steve Jobs famously said. A designer’s eye ensures that artwork isn’t just beautiful in isolation but works harmoniously within the entire space.
On the other hand, art is deeply personal. A recent study by the Hiscox Online Art Trade Report found that 74% of collectors buy art because they feel an emotional connection to the piece. This aligns with the idea that “Art is not what you see, but what you make others see,” as Edgar Degas put it. If a piece moves you, it becomes more than decor—it becomes part of your story.
So, should you or your designer choose your art? If creating a perfectly cohesive home is your top priority, trusting a designer makes sense. If you want a piece that speaks to you on a personal level, follow your instincts and purchase the art that moves you. Ideally, the best decisions happen when designers and homeowners collaborate—balancing expertise with emotion to create a space that is both curated and deeply meaningful.
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