Interior designers have known it for decades: nothing finishes a room like original art. Not a print, not a poster, not a reproduction — original, commissioned artwork created specifically for your space. If you have ever walked into a beautifully designed home and felt that ineffable sense of arrival, there is a good chance original art played a significant role.
Why Original Art Transforms a Space
Mass-produced prints are designed to be inoffensive — to fit anywhere, offend no one, and coordinate with a broad range of palettes. That is precisely their limitation. A commissioned painting is made for your specific space, your specific dimensions, your specific color palette, and your specific story. It does not just decorate a wall — it defines it. Original art also carries presence in a way that reproductions cannot replicate: the texture of brushwork, the depth of layered paint, the evidence of a human hand.
Step 1: Define Your Vision Before You Start Looking
The most common mistake people make when commissioning art for their home is approaching an artist without a clear sense of what they want. You do not need to know exactly what the painting should look like — that is the artist's job — but you should have answers to a few key questions.
- What is the purpose of the piece? Focal point, statement piece, hallway series?
- What is the color palette of the space? Bring paint chips or photos.
- What mood do you want the space to convey? Calm, bold, warm, intimate?
- Do you have a subject in mind, or are you open to interpretation?
- What is your budget? This shapes scale, medium, and complexity.
Step 2: Find the Right Artist for Your Aesthetic
Not every artist is right for every project. Style matters enormously. Review portfolios carefully and look for consistency of quality, range of subject matter, and evidence that the artist can work at the scale you need. Look for artists who have experience with interior commissions — working for a specific space requires understanding scale, lighting conditions, and the relationship between artwork and architecture. You can review our full portfolio on the gallery page to see the range of styles and subjects we work in.
Step 3: Understand the Commission Agreement
Before any work begins, you should have a written agreement covering scope and specifications, timeline with milestones, revision policy, payment terms (typically a 50% deposit), copyright and reproduction rights, and delivery and installation responsibilities. Most professional artists require a deposit before beginning work — this is standard practice that protects both parties.
Working with Scale
One of the most common errors in art selection for interiors is choosing work that is too small for the space. As a general rule: a piece above a sofa should be approximately two-thirds the width of the sofa; a focal point piece in a large room should be at least 40 inches on its longest dimension; for very large walls, consider a diptych or triptych. See our pricing page for a full breakdown of sizes and what each investment looks like.
Ready to find the right piece for your space?
Start your commissionExplore The Commission House