How to sell your art to interior designers

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An art business expert says there are four times as many interior designers in the US as there are art galleries. The interior design market is huge and the need for new art is endless. What's more, when interior designers find the artwork they need, they don't mind if you don't have years of experience or training. They can also become repeat customers if your style goes well with their design aesthetic.

So, how do you enter this market, sell your art to interior designers, and increase your exposure? Get started with our six steps to add interior designers to your repertoire of art buyers and increase your overall art business revenue.

STEP 1: Keep up with design trends

Pay attention to the colors and patterns that are trending in the design world. For example, Pantone's 2018 Color of the Year is ultraviolet, meaning everything from bedding and paint to rugs and sofas has followed suit. Designers are often looking for artwork that complements, but doesn't align with, interior design trends. Knowing this, you can create art that works well with current styles. There is no word yet on what the 2019 color of the year will be. Stay tuned!

EDIT: Pantone just announced their 2021 Colors of the Year!

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STEP 2: Create your main job

You never know exactly what an interior designer is looking for or how many items he or she might need to buy. It is always wise to have a wide range of items for an interior designer to choose from. In addition, according to the designer, large works (36″ x 48″ and above) at a reasonable price are hard to come by and are often the most sought after.

If you have a technique or process that allows you to sell great work at lower prices and still make a good profit, use that to your advantage. If not, consider showing designers the smaller details that make an impression when hung together.

STEP 3: Go where interior designers go

You can find interior designers through , joining , or simply by googling for interior designers in your area. You can also subscribe to - check to find out more. Interior designers often visit studios, art shows and gallery openings when looking for something new. These are great places to connect.

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STEP 4. Check if your job is suitable

Research interior designers and their style before contacting them. You want to make sure you find a designer whose work is in sync with your own. Take a look at their websites to see if they focus on modern minimalism, monochrome, classic elegance, or bold colors. And be sure to pay special attention to the art they want to showcase in their portfolios. Do they only use photographs of wide landscapes or bold abstract paintings? You want to make sure your art complements their design.

STEP 5: Use social media to your advantage

Social media is fast becoming the new place to discover art online, and you can be sure that interior designers are keeping up with the trend. revealed in a guest post that the interior designer discovered the artist because Nicholas added him as a friend on Facebook.

So, post vibrant work on your channels and follow the interior designers you want to work with. The more interesting and unusual the work, the more attention it will attract. For example, if you usually create square work, try circular work instead. If you've worked with an interior designer, ask if you can share a photo of your artwork with its design.

NOTE: Make sure you join the Discovery Artwork Archive program so you can increase your exposure and sell more art. To learn more .

STEP 6: Contact interior designers

The work of interior designers is closely related to the work of artists. Many people can't complete their projects without perfect illustrations, so don't be afraid to lend a helping hand. If you've done your homework, your art may be exactly what they're looking for.

Once you've decided on the designers you want to work with, send them a few pages of your digital portfolio and point them to your website or . Or call them and ask if they need any piece of art. You can offer to go to their office and show them some art you think they'll like.

Apply These Steps to Action and Reap the Benefits

Interior designers are a great way to build awareness and increase your income as you sell art online and work to achieve – or achieve more – gallery representation. Word of your art will spread when people see your work in the homes of their friends and family, and designers see the portfolios of their colleagues.

However, remember that while the interior design market is huge, client tastes and desires can be fickle at best. It's important to use selling to interior designers as another way to increase your income and expand your audience, rather than making it your only business strategy.  

Need more advice on selling your work to interior designers? Read the book by Barney Davey and Dick Harrison. How to Sell Art to Interior Designers: Learn New Ways to Get Your Work into the Interior Design Market and Sell More Art. The Kindle version, which you can read in your internet browser, is currently only $9.99 in .

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