How to collect art as a renter

Let’s talk about how to start an art collection as a renter. I'm going to dive into why you should consider it and the logistics involved. But first, I want to address some major misconceptions and the reason I’m even writing about this topic.

Most people hold the inaccurate belief that they need to be a homeowner, of a certain income bracket, and of a certain age before they can collect art. None of those things are true. Unfortunately, this belief has forced art collecting to remain in an elitist, stagnant, and fussy realm. My company is trying hard to bring art back to the people and make it not only accessible but relevant.

I have already made content about money and art. Both on this blog and over on my YouTube. I have also made some about age groups, and I will certainly make more because I think millennial and older Gen-Z art collectors are essential and have a lot of impact potential. However, today I want to focus on the question of homeownership. In my opinion, this particular belief stems from an old framework where owning a home was the objective. While it still is for some people, increasingly, at least in my community, people are renting for longer periods. It often makes more financial sense to rent, as we are a relatively mobile generation and don't necessarily want to be locked into a property or a neighborhood or even a city, and many affordable homes are not in desirable locations.

Due to COVID-19, we as a culture have had a shift and now understand the importance of home. It is critical to live in a place that feels good, especially when working from home. Renting often allows for a nicer space in a beautiful apartment building, in a cool area, rather than being priced into the suburbs.

That's the context I'm coming from and why I'm addressing this topic. By the way, I'm a renter, in an apartment, so this is personal.

I think there are hundreds of thousands of renters who yearn to make their space feel like home and perhaps even yearn to collect art but are putting it off because they hold onto this idea that they can't invest in their home aesthetic and house vibe until they own. That's simply misguided, and I'm going to show you how easy it is to make your space a unique and stunning reflection of your personality, what you aspire to be, and what makes you brilliantly you.

But first, let me briefly explain why you should start now.

Art collectors play a pivotal role in our culture because artists shape culture and make meaning. They are directing our culture, pointing us towards our potential. Their work is often unrecognized, but contemporary artists help us process our world, connect to our most authentic versions, provide us with a cultural landscape that helps us feel connected to our community, and give us the emotional and social tools to align with our purpose and drive towards the most beautiful future we can imagine. Art collectors fund that and critically determine who is getting elevated to platforms of influence. Influence is everything. Currently, art collectors are pretty wealthy, academic, elitist, white, and typically around 60 years old. If you want a hand in this, start now.

Additionally, art collecting takes time. It's a personal journey of developing skills, knowledge sets, discernment, and strategies. We help all of our collectors with that in a very guided and tailored way, but if you're doing it on your own, it can take years and years, so start now. The third reason you should start a collection this year is that it's transformative. Whoever you are and whatever personal growth moments you are undergoing, art collecting would benefit you. It's healing, shifting, and powerful.

Now, let's talk logistics. First and foremost, I advocate for prints for any brand-new collector, especially for renters. This is mostly logistical. Installing a print is much easier and more renter-friendly than installing an original. Prints are also affordable and allow you to experiment without freaking out about a significant art investment. A print or reproduction is a copy of the original, almost always on paper. You can print prints onto canvas, though I have qualms about this, but it's an option. If you go that route, the canvas is usually of lesser quality, but it's lightweight, which is a perk for renters.

You'll need a frame for prints, and I would even say if you print it on canvas so it doesn't look subpar. When installing a frame as a renter, you have several cool options. First and most basic, you can use command strips. Prints are lightweight, and frames don't need to weigh 20 lbs. Even if they did, those command strips are robust. I'm a little obsessive with these, and I really think you need to follow the directions precisely. There's a reason there is a waiting period, so follow it. I also usually use more command strips than the weight requirements suggest because I don't want a broken frame, but you do you. And you just hang them like normal. Even for homeowners, I recommend this strategy. Often walls are concrete, which is a huge pain, or people like to move art around and don't want holes.

If you're worried that the command strip will chip the paint, you can repaint before moving out. But if that sounds like a headache, here are two alternatives. The first is leaning. I'm seeing a lot of interior spaces with leaned art on a floating shelf, table, or even the floor. There's a look about it that I'm into, and clearly, a lot of interior influencers are as well. And my god, that could not be easier. I think this works especially well if you have a lot of art and can play with dimension, depth, layers.

The second option is hanging the art in a gallery wall-type situation on chains on a suspension rod.

Get a beautiful rod, like a shower rod but prettier, or paint it. Put it in a corner or alcove. Get a chain that matches or complements your frames, and hang the art from the chain.

That’s the most renter friendly way. The photos here are with rods that are mounted to the wall which obviously has an issue. But get creative with this you guys! I’ll make a video on social sometime soon and show you what I’m talking about. Just know that you have options.

West Elm is even in on this ^^

There you have it: three renter-friendly ways to install art, three reasons you should start right now, and three misconceptions you need to discard immediately. Don't miss out on this just because you're a renter.

Please let me know what questions you have! I want to help you however I can. Shoot me an email or head to my socials and dm me. I’m around, and approachable.