How to Start an Art Collection — A Beginner's Guide for Australians
Your Guide to Starting an Art Collection
Art collecting feels intimidating until you realise it's simply about buying the art you love. There's no right way to collect — no style, no medium, no price point you must commit to. The most meaningful collections are built over time, guided by genuine taste rather than investment logic or interior trend. At Olive et Oriel, we've been introducing Australians to quality art prints since 2015.
This guide is for anyone who has stood in front of a piece of art and felt something — and wanted to understand how to start building a collection with intention. We'll cover how to find your style, what to look for in quality prints, how to budget wisely, and how to display a growing collection beautifully.
Finding Your Collecting Style
The easiest way to identify your art collecting style is to notice what stops you. Walk through galleries, browse online collections, flick through design magazines — and note what makes you slow down. Do you consistently return to bold abstracts or quiet landscapes? To photography or illustration? Our art prints collection spans abstract, botanical, landscape, photography, and illustration — a good starting point for discovering what resonates.
Quality Over Quantity
A few carefully chosen pieces you genuinely love will always outperform a wall of impulsive purchases. When buying art prints, look for archival-quality printing (resistant to fading), acid-free paper, and professional colour management. Olive et Oriel's prints are produced at our own facilities using professional wide-format printers and archival inks. Browse our framed art or canvas collection for pieces that will endure.
Displaying a Growing Collection
As your collection grows, create zones: a living room wall that tells one story, a hallway that forms a progression, a bedroom focused on a particular mood. Gallery walls are the most flexible format — you can add, swap, and rearrange as the collection grows. Visit our gallery wall guide for layout inspiration, and our hanging guide for practical tips. For oversized pieces, a single statement work can anchor an entire room.
Every piece is produced at our two manufacturing facilities on of NSW — crafting Australian wall art since 2015. We deliver to over 40 countries worldwide, with custom sizing available on all prints. Over a decade of experience, every order ships within 24 hours with our satisfaction guarantee.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I start collecting art as a beginner?
Start by buying what you love — don't overthink investment value or trend alignment. Once you have a feel for your taste, start with one or two quality prints that genuinely resonate.
How much should I spend on my first art collection?
There's no minimum. The key is prioritising quality over quantity — a single archival-quality print you love is more valuable than ten cheap reproductions.
Should I frame all my art prints?
Framing protects prints and creates a finished, polished look. Our ready-framed art offers convenience and quality. Unframed prints can be kept in archival sleeves until you're ready to frame them.
Is it better to collect one style of art or mix?
Collections built around a consistent thread — a colour family, a subject, a medium — tend to feel more cohesive. That said, the best collections have personality, which sometimes means mixing.
How do I know if an art print is good quality?
Look for archival-quality printing (inks rated 70+ years lightfastness), acid-free paper or canvas, and professional colour management. Olive et Oriel uses professional-grade printing at our own facilities.