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May 2, 2019

8 of the Best Online Stores for Scoring Affordable Art

Your walls are bare, you’ve hardly got a collector’s budget, and the last thing you want is to buy the same IKEA flower painting that five of your friends already own. What’s an apartment-dwelling aesthete to do?

Go online, duh. At these eight awesome sites, you’ll be able to scoop up prints, originals—even downloadable art files that you can print yourself—made by artists, at prices the rent-strapped city-dweller can afford. Not only are you supporting small-scale creators, you’re giving your home a much-needed makeover. (Just be sure to hang your finds carefully—landlords aren’t big fans of damaged walls.)

1. DEBBIE CARLOS

Debbie Carlos’s accessible prints mix rustic farm-charm with poppy nostalgia. Photo courtesy of Debbie Carlos.Debbie Carlos’s accessible prints mix rustic farm-charm with poppy nostalgia. Photo courtesy of Debbie Carlos.

Live in a loft, renovated warehouse, or any pad where you’ve got a lot of white wall space to cover? It’s time you looked up photographer Debbie Carlos’s work. Her stunning posters—which range from black-and-white jellyfish shots to images of vibrant ice cream cones—measure up to 36” x 48”, making them ideal one-and-done statement pieces. Best of all, they begin at only $30 a pop. Bargain.

2. EVENTIDE COLLECTIVE

Keep a beach vibe going year-round with a photo print from Eventide Collective. Photo courtesy of Eventide Collective.Keep a beach vibe going year-round with a photo print from Eventide Collective. Photo courtesy of Eventide Collective.

If your style’s more cluster wall than statement piece, you should browse the offerings at Eventide Collective, a group of 17 talented photographers who’ve banded together to sell their affordable art. Many of the prints available are beachy, halcyon, and brightly hued: the perfect fix to perk up an apartment in need of some color. 

3. 20X200

Carve out quality time to gaze at 20x200’s extensive collection of over 1,000 curated, museum-quality prints. Photos courtesy of 20x200 Vintage Editions and Hiro Kurata/20x200.Carve out quality time to gaze at 20x200’s extensive collection of over 1,000 curated, museum-quality prints. Photos courtesy of 20x200 Vintage Editions and Hiro Kurata/20x200.

“It’s Art for Everyone” is 20x200’s tagline, which is a mission statement we can definitely get behind. More than 200 artists display their work on the site, so whether you prefer collages or watercolors, there’s plenty to choose from. Best of all, artists get paid for every print that’s purchased, so you know your dollars are going straight to the makers.

4. THE ANIMAL PRINT SHOP

Add whimsical wildlife to your urban oasis with The Animal Print Shop's crisp pics. Photo courtesy of The Animal Print Shop.Add whimsical wildlife to your urban oasis with The Animal Print Shop's crisp pics. Photo courtesy of The Animal Print Shop.

Photographer Sharon Montrose has made a name for herself with her animal photography, and it isn't hard to see why. Shot against clean, white backdrops, her portraits capture critters ranging from giraffes and monkeys to camels and macaws, all full of humor and personality. You don’t need to be a kid to pick up a few of her prints—though any kiddos in your life are also bound to appreciate ’em.

5. SOCIETY6

Treat yo self to every design product imaginable (prints, throw pillows, even shower curtains) with Society 6. Photo courtesy of Cat Coquillette/Society 6.Treat yo self to every design product imaginable (prints, throw pillows, even shower curtains) with Society 6. Photo courtesy of Cat Coquillette/Society 6.

Of all the online options for affordable art, Society6 is one of the most diverse. It helps that it’s got thousands of artists from around the world in its stable, and sells everything from framed canvases to aluminum prints. Better yet, the artwork available on the site can be ordered in a range of dimensions, and in the form of fabric wall tapestries, linens, and phone cases, in case you want to makeover more than just your walls.

6. BUY SOME DAMN ART

Hook up your home with a bona fide art piece (vs. a print) with Buy Some Damn Art’s original abstract works. Photo courtesy of Maria Gil Ulldemolins/Buy Some Damn Art.Hook up your home with a bona fide art piece (vs. a print) with Buy Some Damn Art’s original abstract works. Photo courtesy of Maria Gil Ulldemolins/Buy Some Damn Art.

It’s a name that’s hard to argue with: Buy Some Damn Art is the place to score beautiful artworks. Art Hound blogger Kate Singleton is behind the online shop, and her eye for excellence results in a curated selection of quality pieces. They’re a little pricier than prints, but nothing makes a house feel like a home more than owning an original masterpiece.

7. SYCAMORE STREET PRESS

Make an understated statement with Sycamore Street Press’s vintage-inspired collection. Photo courtesy of Sycamoree Street Press; photo by Chelsie Starley.Make an understated statement with Sycamore Street Press’s vintage-inspired collection. Photo courtesy of Sycamoree Street Press; photo by Chelsie Starley.

Founded by husband-and-wife team Eva and Kirk Jorgensen, Sycamore Street Press sells pretty letterpress prints (in addition to other score-worthy housewares, clothes, and accessories). And for those seeking their art on demand, the store’s collection of printable posters means you’ll get your visual fix without delay. 

8. ETSY (CURATED)

Trusting the fine curatorial eye of Uncoverly and Best of Etsy helps the masterpieces rise to the top, while keeping Etsy's artsy homespun aesthetic alive and well. Photo courtesy of anewalldecor, via Uncoverly.Trusting the fine curatorial eye of Uncoverly and Best of Etsy helps the masterpieces rise to the top, while keeping Etsy's artsy homespun aesthetic alive and well. Photo courtesy of anewalldecor, via Uncoverly.

Everyone knows that Etsy is one of the best online artist marketplaces around. As you probably noticed during your last browsing sesh, there’s almost an impossible amount to sort through on the site. Outsource your art search to sites like Uncoverly and Best of Etsy, which curate work from Etsy’s most accomplished artists, so your abode is as unique as you are.