How to Buy Art Without Regrets

Art fairs are a fantastic way to fast-track your art education, with up to 50 galleries under one roof. Sign up for gallery newsletters for inside information and previews. Ask what they have in the stock room – it could be the hidden treasure you didn’t know you were searching for.

Let the professionals take care of the mundane details of shipping, framing and hanging. A good gallery or art dealer will work to remove all the stress points.If you get to know each other, you may get the inside running on new works by your favourite artists and special events, such as studio visits and artist talks.

An artwork should excite you and make you think. If you really love it, you’ll always find a place for it. A lifelong appreciation of your purchase is far more important than filling a blank wall with a perfect size or co-ordinating with the colour of the couch.

The most interesting art collections are built over time. If you don’t think your budget will stretch to cover the pieces you adore, consider a smaller piece by the same artist or start with one rather than multiple pieces. No one has ever said they started their collection too early but you often hear of collectors wishing they didn’t wait and had bought when they first spotted an artist.