How Designers Source Art & Why That Process Might Need a Rethink
0
0Summary
In this article, we explore how designers currently source art, where those approaches fall short, and five ways to make the process more intentional, from sourcing locally to prioritizing art earlier in the design process. We hope this results in more meaningful spaces, stronger client connections, and a richer creative process for you.
Reflection Questions
How early in your design process do you currently think about sourcing art? What would shift if you made it a Phase 1 priority?
Where are most of your current art pieces coming from — and are they starting to feel repetitive?
When was the last time you sourced from a local artist, or brought a client’s story into the art selection process?
Journal Prompt
If you could design your dream art sourcing process — one that was aligned with your design vision, client goals, and local creative community — what would it look like? Describe how you would find new artists, collaborate with clients, and integrate art early in your projects. What’s one small change you can make this month to move in that direction?
We talk a lot about sourcing textiles, furnishings, and wallcoverings for interior design projects, but what about the art? For many clients, original art is one of the most meaningful, personal elements in each space. Yet, too often, the art sourcing process is an afterthought or lumped in with sourcing decor objects.
As Melissa Grove, COO of Laura U Design Collective, recently shared,
“I think art sourcing in the interior design world is SEVERELY lacking. Personal experience is that a designer finds a gallery they like and they use it over and over again for major pieces, then they sprinkle in mass-produced art to fill the gaps.”
This isn’t necessarily the wrong approach; for some clients, art really is just decoration. And it’s not that designers aren’t trying; quite the opposite! With so many other moving pieces and clients rarely involved in art selection, the process often defaults to convenience over curation. But when art is formulaic, the design suffers, the emotional impact disappears, and the opportunity to truly connect your client to their space is minimized.
How Designers Currently Source Art for Clients
If you ask ten designers how they source art, you’ll likely get ten different answers, but most approaches fall into a handful of categories. Some are designed for speed, others for scale, but few are focused on originality. Let’s take a look at common ways designers source art and why it may be time to rethink which sources we most heavily rely on.
Galleries and Art Consultants
Designers partner with a trusted gallery or independent art advisor to source original pieces that are typically tailored to project needs and client tastes. This works well because the designer gets access to curated pieces, artist bios, framing support, and installation help.
Where It Can Fall Short
Many stick with a single source, which can get repetitive. And without local context or flexibility on price, options may feel limited.
Artist Commissions
A designer directly commissions an artist to create a one-of-a-kind piece that may be based on palette, size, mood, or subject matter. This works well because the art is deeply personal and fully integrated into the space.
Where It Can Fall Short
Lead times, unclear expectations, and lack of communication can create friction without the right systems in place.
Fuel your creative fire & be a part of a supportive community that values how you love to live.
subscribe to our newsletter
*please check your Spam folder for the latest DesignDash Magazine issue immediately after subscription
Online Marketplaces
Designers use platforms like Saatchi Art, Uprise Art, or Tappan Collective to browse and buy contemporary art online. They have access to a wide range of emerging and mid-career artists, with stock searchable by color, price, size, and more.
Where It Can Fall Short
The experience is entirely transactional. Without seeing the piece in person, scale and texture can be hard to judge.
Sourcing from Client-Owned Art Collections
This is typical with more established, high-end clients: the designer incorporates existing pieces he or she already owns, whether they are family heirlooms, pieces collected while traveling, or investment pieces. These pieces are often meaningful and may be tied to the client’s identity, which can help inform the greater interior design.
Where It Can Fall Short
Designers must be flexible. Sizes, colors, or styles may not align perfectly with the design vision. There’s also a risk of the client’s art feeling like an afterthought if not integrated early in the process.
Collaborating with the Client’s Personal Art Advisor
In some cases, a designer will collaborate with the client’s dedicated art adviser (someone who manages acquisitions, valuations, and placement). This works well if the client has a specific taste or investment strategy in mind. The advisor can provide sourcing, authentication, and framing or installation support.
Where It Can Fall Short
This approach requires a clear division of roles. Without shared communication, designers and advisors can step on each other’s toes.
Local Makers & Artist Studios
Designers source directly from artists in their community, often visiting open studios, art walks, or seasonal events. This works so well because there is incredible variety and pieces are often more budget-friendly than gallery-repped work. Sourcing this way builds a designer’s local creative economy and adds texture for the client.
Where It Can Fall Short
This takes time. Without a structured process, sourcing from local artists can feel overwhelming or inconsistent. After all, art sourcing must fit into your procurement process.
“What’s really sad is that we have a fabulous art community in Houston called Sawyer Yards,” says Melissa, “Which is two city blocks of artists’ studios at any price point.”
How to Elevate Your Art Sourcing Strategy
Sourcing local art or commissioning an artist outside of a gallery can be time-consuming, unreliable, or outside the client’s budget. Still, you want the art in your client’s home to be meaningful, effective, and contribute to the overall vision you have for their space. So what’s a designer to do? Below are a few ways to add extra oomph to your art sourcing process and make each piece a bit more intentional.
Prioritize Art Earlier in the Process
Art shouldn’t be an afterthought. When sourcing happens at the eleventh hour, we often end up with generic, mass-produced filler. To avoid this, fold art into your concept development from the start.
Whether that means identifying wall dimensions for future commissions or sourcing a foundational piece that informs your palette, flagging “art to be commissioned” or “collection TBD” keeps the conversation open. It also gives your team more time to find something meaningful, not just available.
Be sure to discuss budget with the client if relevant at this stage.
Source Locally and Seasonally
One of the best ways to diversify your art sources is to get outside your showroom comfort zone. Cities of all sizes host regular opportunities to connect with working artists: think First Fridays, open studio events, seasonal art fairs, and gallery nights.
These events are excellent for sparking inspiration, but they also help you build relationships with artists who create custom work, offer flexible pricing, or collaborate in unique ways that larger trade vendors can’t. Plus, sourcing locally reduces shipping headaches and supports your creative community.
Fuel your creative fire, thrive with support from peers, & make 2025 your firm’s best year yet!
JOIN THE DESIGNDASH COMMUNITY
Develop an Artist Rolodex, Not Just a Vendor List
Most design firms have a go-to list of vendors. But if every project relies on the same gallery or shop, it starts to look (and feel) formulaic. Instead, curate an ongoing “artist Rolodex” that evolves with your interests, travels, and network.
Keep track of painters, photographers, fiber artists, sculptors, muralists…anyone whose work inspires you. Follow them on Instagram, save their names in a sourcing spreadsheet, and reach out periodically just to see what they’re working on. These relationships can produce bespoke commissions, studio visits, or collaborations that add depth to your portfolio.
Let Art Tell Your Client’s Story
Art can and should be personal. At Laura U Design Collective, for which Melissa is the COO, many art pieces chosen for our clients’ homes are connected to their travels, heritage, or personal preferences. While scale and color matter, the emotional connection a client feels to a piece is what truly elevates it from decoration to storytelling.
Tap into your client’s personality and passions when sourcing. That might mean seeking out a ceramicist from their hometown, finding a printmaker in a country they recently visited, purchasing a piece from a charity they believe in, or commissioning a portrait. The best pieces aren’t just “on theme.” They’re full of memory and meaning.
Make Space for One-of-a-Kind
You don’t need every piece to be a museum-quality original artwork, but anchoring a room with one incredible piece (whether that be a hand-embroidered textile, an abstract canvas, or a wood sculpture) brings an emotional element that no mass-produced piece can replicate.
This doesn’t have to mean blowing the budget. Many local artists offer small works, series pieces, or studies that are both affordable and deeply personal.
Final Thoughts on Sourcing Art as a Designer
As Melissa Grove points out, great art is all around us in local studios, in emerging voices, in the lives our clients are already living. Elevating your art sourcing process shouldn’t necessarily mean adding complexity; it should help you design with curiosity, connection, and intention.
If you want more conversations like this, ones that challenge the status quo, celebrate creativity, and offer practical steps to do better work, we’d love to have you in the DesignDash Community. Join us for honest insights, behind-the-scenes strategies, and monthly co-working sessions where real firm owners talk through what’s really working (and what’s not). There’s room at the table for you.
Written by the DesignDash Editorial Team
Our contributors include experienced designers, firm owners, design writers, and other industry professionals. If you’re interested in submitting your work or collaborating, please reach out to our Editor-in-Chief at editor@designdash.com.
Related Posts
Women, In Their Own Words: April Littmann
Interior designer April Littmann shares how faith, empathy, and busine
Back To School: Where Can I Study Interior Design In New York?
Find your creative path today! Learn all about the best interior desig
Digital Marketing for Creative Businesses: A Comprehensive Guide
LIKE 0 LEAVE COMMENT 0 18 min read Summary Reflection Questions Journa
From Hangisi to Oasis: The Most Comfortable Luxury Heels
Whether you're getting married or presenting at a conference, these ar
The Mid-Career Switch Series: How To Become A Luthier
Curious about what it takes to become an expert at fashioning and repa
POST COMMENT
You must be logged in to post a comment.