A Complete Guide to Buying Art Online

Whether you’re a first-time buyer or growing a personal collection, buying art online opens up a world of possibilities that simply doesn’t exist within the four walls of a local gallery. You can explore work from Australian artists right through to international creators, discover pieces across every style and price point, and take your time making a decision without any sales pressure.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know — from understanding why you’re buying in the first place, to hanging your artwork confidently once it arrives.

1. Buyer motivations
2. Positioning art
3. Art dimensions
4. Decorative art
5. Art rotation
6. Safe internet practices
7. Basic art terms & their meanings
8. Frequently asked questions

1. Buyer Motivations — Why Do You Want to Buy Art?

Before anything else — before you measure a wall or set a budget — it’s worth asking yourself why you want a particular piece of art. Whether you’re buying for your home, your office, or as a gift, the strongest purchases are almost always driven by emotional connection.

Some works command the room with raw energy and bold colour. Others are quietly beautiful — fluid, gentle, and easy to live with. Neither is better than the other. What matters is how a piece makes you feel, and whether that feeling fits the life and space you’re building around it.

The great advantage of buying art online is selection. A local gallery, no matter how good, is limited by its physical walls. Online, you have access to thousands of artists, styles, mediums and price points simultaneously. That breadth dramatically increases your chances of finding exactly the right piece — the one that genuinely moves you.

The number one rule: buy what you love. Art that connects with you emotionally will serve you far better long-term than art purchased purely for trend or investment.

At UnderArt Gallery, our collection spans original handcrafted artworks, sculptures, and jewellery — all carefully curated from Australian artists, many based right here in Cairns.

2. Positioning Art — Finding the Perfect Spot

You’ve found the perfect piece. Now, where does it live?

The placement of a painting can completely transform a room — or underwhelm it. Before committing to a wall, consider both the physical space and how people will experience the work over time.

Questions to ask before you hang:

• Do you want this to be the first thing people see when they walk in — a statement piece that anchors the room?
• Or would it work better as a discovery — something noticed after rounding a corner, adding depth and intrigue?
• How does the painting’s mood interact with the room’s function? A bold abstract might energise a study; something serene might suit a bedroom.
• What is the natural light like? Direct sunlight can fade certain works over time. North-facing walls in the Southern Hemisphere tend to offer softer, more consistent light.

Ultimately, there is no single right answer. The best position is the one where you’ll see it every day and still love it.

Tip: Before committing any holes to a wall, use painter’s tape to mark the approximate dimensions of the artwork. Live with it for a day or two and observe how the space feels.

3. Art Dimensions — Measure Twice, Buy Once

This is arguably the most practical section of this guide, and one of the most commonly overlooked steps when buying art online. Getting the dimensions wrong is an expensive mistake — especially with online purchases where return freight is typically the buyer’s responsibility.

How to measure your space properly:

• Measure the wall space available — width first, then height.
• Allow breathing room. An artwork surrounded by a little space will always look better than one that feels crammed.
• Consider visual weight. A very large painting on a small wall can feel oppressive. A small painting on a vast wall can feel lost.
• If hanging above furniture (a sofa, sideboard or bed), the artwork should typically be roughly two-thirds the width of the piece below it.
• Double-check whether the artwork’s listed dimensions include or exclude any framing.

Quick inches to centimetres conversion:

Tip: Always confirm the dimensions directly with the gallery before purchasing if you are even slightly uncertain. A quick email is far less painful than a return shipment.

4. Decorative Art — Choosing Art for a Specific Space

Decorative art starts with the room, not the artist. When your goal is to complete or elevate a particular interior, the process of selection shifts slightly — size and colour take priority, with subject matter as a secondary consideration.

That said, the first rule still holds: make sure you feel something for the piece. Purely functional art purchases rarely age well. The best decorative art both suits the space and moves you.

Tips for choosing decorative art:

• Pull colours from existing elements in the room — upholstery, rugs, cushions — and look for artworks that echo or complement those tones.
• In rooms with a strong style (coastal, minimalist, industrial, organic), lean into that aesthetic rather than fighting against it.
• Don’t be afraid of contrast. A moody abstract work in a light, minimal room can create powerful visual tension that makes both elements sing.
• Textured or mixed-media works add physical dimension to a flat wall, which can be particularly effective in modern interiors.

Browse our collection by artist to explore different styles and find work that resonates with your space.

5. Art Rotation — Keep Your Space Alive

Do you love art so much that you have a pile of it under your bed? Perhaps you are buying another piece because you fell in love with it but have no space left on your walls? You will not be the first person to be faced with this dilemma and you won’t be the last.

The solution is simple: rotate your art. Think of your collection the way you think of a wardrobe — not everything needs to be displayed at once. Rotating pieces seasonally keeps your environment feeling fresh, gives each work renewed attention, and gives you an excellent reason to keep buying.

Ideas for rotation:

• Create a seasonal rotation — warmer, energetic works in summer; softer, moodier pieces in the cooler months.
• Change cushions, throws and decorative objects to complement whichever artwork is currently on display.
• Dedicate one wall as a ‘rotating gallery wall’ where you regularly swap pieces in and out.
• Store resting pieces safely in a cool, dry space — ideally wrapped in acid-free paper and stored upright.

Tip: Rotating your art is also a wonderful way to rediscover pieces you’ve owned for years. A work that felt a little quiet in one room might be transformative in another.

6. Safe Internet Practices — Buying Art Online with Confidence

Buying art online is now safer and more commonplace than ever. However, as with any online purchase, a little due diligence goes a long way.

Before you buy, check for:

• A clear returns policy — you should know exactly what happens if the work doesn’t suit your space when it arrives.
• Shipping insurance — art is fragile and valuable, and reputable galleries insure all freight as standard.
• Secure payment options — credit cards and PayPal offer buyer protection that direct bank transfers do not.
• Certificate of Authenticity — for original works, this document verifies the piece and provides provenance for future resale.
• Gallery contact details — a phone number and physical address signal a legitimate, established operation.
• Customer reviews and testimonials — social proof matters.

What to check about the artwork itself:

• Verify dimensions with the seller before finalising your purchase — especially if buying internationally.
• Ask how the work will be packed and shipped. Original artworks on canvas should arrive stretched and properly protected — never loosely wrapped.
• Ask whether installation hardware is included, or whether you’ll need to source picture hooks or hanging systems separately.

At UnderArt Gallery, we ship throughout Australia and internationally, with all artworks fully insured in transit. We pack every piece with care, and our team is always happy to answer questions before you commit. Feel free to contact us at any time.

We also offer a full 30-day return policy on all purchases. If a piece doesn’t work in your space, we’ll make it right.

7. Basic Art Terms & Their Meanings

The art world has its own language. Here’s a plain-English reference to the terms you’re most likely to encounter when buying art online.

Styles & Movements

• Contemporary — Art of the present day and recent past; innovative or avant-garde in nature.
• Abstract — Art that simplifies or departs from realistic representation, using form, colour and texture to express ideas rather than depict the world literally.
• Surrealism — A movement born in the 1920s that sought to unlock the subconscious imagination, often producing dreamlike or unexpected imagery.
• Expressionism — Work in which reality is deliberately distorted to convey the artist’s inner emotional state.
• Impressionism — Developed in France in the late 1800s; characterised by spontaneous, loose brushwork often painted outdoors to capture light and atmosphere.
• Pop Art — Emerged in the 1950s and 60s, drawing on advertising, cinema and popular culture as subject matter.
• Realism — Work that depicts the everyday world in a faithful, often photographic manner.
• Art Deco — A style from the early 1900s characterised by bold geometric forms, symmetry and decorative detail.
• Art Nouveau — A late 19th-century style distinguished by flowing organic lines and natural plant-inspired forms.

Concepts & Techniques

• Avant-Garde — Innovative work that pushes boundaries; often provocative or controversial.
• Conceptual — Art in which the idea behind the work is more important than its physical execution.
• Eclectic — Drawing from a wide and diverse range of influences and styles.
• Mixed Media — Artwork created using a combination of different materials or techniques.
• Composition — The deliberate arrangement of visual elements within a work.
• Chiaroscuro — An Italian term meaning ‘light-dark’; refers to the use of strong contrast between light and shadow in a painting.
• Etching — A printmaking technique where lines are incised into a metal plate using acid, then inked to produce an image.
• Fresco — A mural technique involving painting with water-based pigments directly onto wet plaster, so the colour becomes part of the wall itself.

8. Frequently Asked Questions About Buying Art Online

How do I know if an online gallery is trustworthy?

Look for a physical address, phone number, clear policies on returns, shipping and insurance, and genuine customer reviews. If a gallery has been operating for a number of years and has a portfolio of real artists you can research independently, that’s a strong sign. UnderArt Gallery has been Australian owned and operated since 2009.

Is it safe to pay for art online?

Yes, provided you use a payment method with buyer protection. Credit cards and PayPal both allow you to dispute a transaction if something goes wrong. Avoid paying by direct bank transfer unless you have an established relationship with the seller.

What if the artwork looks different in person than it did on screen?

Colour calibration varies between screens, so slight differences are normal. A good gallery will describe colours accurately and provide high-resolution images. If you’re uncertain, contact the gallery and ask for additional photos in natural light. Our 30-day return policy exists precisely for situations where a piece doesn’t meet your expectations on arrival.

Should I buy an original artwork or a print?

Both have real merit. Original artworks are unique, often appreciate in value, and carry an emotional resonance that reproductions can’t fully replicate. Prints and reproductions make it possible to live with an artwork you love at a more accessible price point — and many are produced to a very high standard. For first-time buyers, a quality reproduction is a perfectly valid starting point. Browse our original artworks and small artworks to compare.

What is a Certificate of Authenticity and do I need one?

A Certificate of Authenticity (COA) is a document that confirms the artwork is genuine and provides details about the artist, the work, its edition (if a print), and often the date of creation. For original artworks — especially those with potential investment value — a COA is important. Ask for one when purchasing any significant original piece.

How do I choose the right size artwork for my wall?

Measure your available wall space and allow breathing room around the piece. For artwork hung above furniture, a general guide is for the piece to be roughly two-thirds the width of the furniture below it. When in doubt, use painter’s tape to mark the dimensions on the wall before purchasing. See our art dimensions section above for a full guide and conversion chart.

Does UnderArt Gallery ship interstate and internationally?

Yes. We ship throughout Australia — with free shipping on artworks over $500 and jewellery over $150 — and internationally on a regular basis. All shipments are fully insured and packed with care. Contact us for a shipping quote on larger pieces.

Can I get help choosing the right artwork for my space?

Absolutely. We offer personalised art selection consultations as well as a Try Before You Buy service and art commissioning. Whether you’re furnishing a home or a commercial space, our team is here to help you find exactly the right piece.

Ready to Find Your Perfect Piece?

Buying art online doesn’t need to be complicated or daunting. With the right knowledge, a little patience, and the freedom to explore a collection as large as the internet itself, finding a piece that genuinely moves you is more achievable than ever.

We invite you to browse the UnderArt Gallery collection — a carefully curated selection of handcrafted original artworks, sterling silver jewellery, and unique gifts from some of Australia’s finest artists.

If you have any questions at all — about a specific artwork, sizing, shipping, or anything else — our team is always happy to help. Get in touch with us here. Australian owned and operated since 2009.