Buzz
Photo: MytourPurchasing artwork can be an overwhelming task, especially when factoring in what suits your space’s budget and design. Although you may come across art pieces that captivate you, buying online allows for a more targeted approach. With countless sites offering art, finding trustworthy platforms can be a challenge.
To guide you through the process, we’ve put together a list of the Mytour team’s top picks for art shopping. In addition to our suggestions, we’ve included some well-known retailers, taking into account factors like artistic style, price range, shipping fees, and return policies. We also consulted Betsy Helmuth, an interior designer and owner of Modern Interior Design, for her expert advice on buying art online.
Etsy
LouLou Art Studio/EtsyA wide selection of affordable, one-of-a-kind pieces from independent creators and smaller brands.
The sheer number of choices can sometimes feel overwhelming to navigate.
The Mytour team is a big fan of Etsy for its vast collection of distinct art styles, typically offered at reasonable prices. “I can easily lose myself exploring the endless talent on Etsy,” says senior home editor Hannah Baker. She has discovered several affordable original pieces and prints on the site, including this Going Art Print.
For those looking to bring a personal flair to their home, Etsy offers a range of custom artwork options. It’s a great way to support smaller creators while finding something truly unique.
Another advantage is the convenience of buying digital files, which you can easily print and frame on your own. Associate home director Leslie Corona points out that Etsy’s prints—especially digital ones—are quite affordable. To stretch her budget, she’ll print the artwork in her preferred size and pick up a cheap frame from Target or Amazon.
While we love Etsy’s broad variety, it can be a bit daunting for those who aren’t sure exactly what they want. If you’d rather avoid spending hours scrolling, we suggest following specific shops to help filter your search.
Price Range: Starts at $0.20 | Shipping: Varies by seller | Return Policy: Varies by seller
20x200
20x200 presents art in sizes of 20x200, offering unique and affordable options for collectors, ranging from contemporary prints to one-of-a-kind pieces by renowned and emerging artists.The platform showcases an exceptional selection of museum-grade artwork, carefully curated to suit diverse tastes.
Many items are marked as final sale, which limits the return options.
At 20x200, the belief is that everyone should have access to owning quality art. Their carefully chosen pieces include over 1,000 editions from over 300 artists, both new and established. The artworks are crafted to be museum-standard, printed with archival inks on high-quality cotton rag paper, despite their affordable price.
Every print purchased from 20x200 is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity, signed and numbered by the artist. Executive editor Lisa Freedman particularly enjoys the exclusivity of these works: 'They collaborate with artists to create limited-edition pieces, so I’m sure I won’t find them everywhere. It’s special and affordable—without the hefty price tag,' she shares.
Before buying, it's wise to review the return policy. Many pieces, including custom-framed or unframed prints, are considered final sale, so returns are not an option.
Price Range: Starting from $15 | Shipping: Varies based on the items ordered and your shipping destination | Return Policy: 30-day return period for eligible items; final sale items cannot be returned
IKEA
IKEAIKEA offers a wide variety of stylish and affordable wall art, perfect for contemporary spaces.
The collection lacks options for more intricate, traditional, or classic art styles.
Beyond furniture, plants, and Swedish meatballs, IKEA boasts a vast collection of art. Within its wall decor section, you’ll find an array of wall art, posters, and other accents to add character to your living space.
Along with offering affordable prices, IKEA provides free shipping on small orders over $50 when you join its free loyalty program. You can also enjoy free in-store pickup on select items.
IKEA’s return policy allows for returns of unopened items within a year, which we appreciate. However, it’s worth noting that most of IKEA’s artwork tends to be modern and minimalist, which might not appeal to those who prefer more traditional or ornate styles.
Price Range: Starting at $4 | Shipping: Starts at $10; free shipping on small orders over $50 for IKEA Family members | Return Policy: 365 days for unopened items; 180 days for opened items
Minted
Elena Kulikova / MintedThe platform offers a vast selection of prints and original pieces by independent artists.
Price sorting isn’t available, and pricing isn’t always displayed clearly in the search results.
In addition to offering beautiful event invitations and cards, Minted serves as a fantastic marketplace for art created by independent artists. 'They constantly introduce new art and artists, so there’s always something fresh,' says home director Erica Finamore. 'Select your piece, choose your size, pick your frame, and voila—a stunning artwork arrives at your door.'
Minted hosts an extensive collection of prints and offers a wide range of styles. On its 'Art' page, you can explore numerous subcategories within 'Fine Art' and 'Children’s Art.' The platform also features original paintings, sculptures, textile art, mixed media pieces, and more. Additionally, you can commission original art. Need help displaying your new piece? Take advantage of Minted’s free art styling service.
Although Minted makes it easy to explore art by color, subject, style, and size, there’s no option to sort by price, even when browsing specific subcategories. Additionally, for prints, you need to click on each piece, choose your size and framing preferences, and then check the price.
Price Range: Starting at $24 | Shipping: Starts at $4; may increase depending on your order | Return Policy: 30 days for most art prints
MixTiles
MixtilesCreate personalized wall art from your own photos or choose from the brand’s vast selection of artwork.
Since all art is custom, returns are not accepted.
Transform your cherished memories into lasting wall decor with MixTiles’ customizable photo art. Simply upload your favorite images and select your framing options. Beauty director Heather Muir Maffei loves the brand's simple process and speedy service: 'Their turnaround time is incredibly fast, and you just stick them on the wall—no tools required!'
In addition to uploading your own photos, you can explore thousands of artworks created by artists who retain full rights to their creations. With many categories to browse, you’ll find everything from abstract art to pieces inspired by movies and TV shows.
Even with artwork from MixTiles’ collection, remember that each piece is custom-made. Returns are not accepted, but MixTiles offers a Happiness Guarantee, so you can reach out to customer service for a replacement or refund if needed.
Price Range: Starting at $11 | Shipping: Free for photo orders over $49; free shipping on art prints | Return Policy: No returns, but the Happiness Guarantee provides a replacement or refund
Other Art Retailers We Love
Society6
Chloe Fink / Society6In addition to traditional canvas and paper prints, you can shop for various other art media.
Unfortunately, there’s no option to sort items by price.
Society6 offers more than just traditional canvas and paper prints. Explore a diverse range of wall art, including floating acrylic prints, metal prints, wood pieces, tapestries, and more. And when you make a purchase, you can feel good knowing you're supporting the independent artist who created your artwork.
As you browse Society6, you can refine your search by product type, subject, style, color, and medium. However, keep in mind that there’s no option to filter or sort results by price. Prices typically start at $15 for mini prints, and the site frequently offers discounts.
Price Range: Starting at $15 | Shipping: Varies depending on your purchase | Return Policy: 30-day return policy
Artfinder
ArtFinderThe platform is user-friendly, allowing you to purchase original works directly from independent artists.
The window for requesting a refund or replacement is quite limited.
Artfinder is a platform focused on offering original and limited-edition works. You purchase directly from the artists, making it easy to reach out to them with any questions. For those eager to explore fresh talent, Artfinder provides helpful resources like editor's picks, artists of the month, and trending artists.
Along with its impressive collection, Artfinder also offers a straightforward interface. You can filter by medium, subject, or budget. Whether you're in the market for original pieces under $100 or high-end artworks priced over $1,000, Artfinder caters to all budgets. They also have a dedicated section for ongoing sales. However, their return policy is stricter—refund or replacement requests must be made within 14 days.
Price Range: Starting at $25 | Shipping: Varies depending on the seller | Return Policy: 14-day return window
Sonic Editions
Sonic EditionsThe collection boasts an impressive array of iconic, limited-edition photographs.
Delivery times can sometimes be quite lengthy.
For those seeking high-end fashion photography, Sonic Editions offers a stunning collection. This retailer collaborates with famous photographers and archives to offer exclusive, limited-edition photographs. The collection includes breathtaking fine art photos from film, television, music, fashion, and more.
Each photograph is uniquely numbered, certified, and part of a limited run of 495 editions. These images are hand-printed and framed to order, ensuring top-notch quality. The photos are printed on Fuji Crystal Archive paper, and the custom wooden frames feature gallery-grade perspex. If you’re not completely satisfied with your purchase, you can initiate a return within seven days. Please note, delivery times may sometimes be extended.
Price Range: Starting at $89 | Shipping: Calculated based on location and order weight | Return Policy: 7 days
Artstar
ArtstarThe platform is user-friendly, offering easy access to original works directly from independent artists.
The time window for requesting a refund or replacement is quite short.
Artfinder is a dedicated platform that offers only limited edition and original artworks. You have the chance to purchase directly from the artists, allowing you to reach out to them with any inquiries. If you’re interested in discovering new talent, Artfinder provides numerous resources such as curated editor’s picks, artist of the month, and trending artists.
We also appreciate Artfinder’s easy-to-use interface, allowing you to browse art by medium, subject, and budget. Whether you're looking for affordable originals priced under $100 or high-end works exceeding $1,000, the platform offers a wide range of options. For those on a budget, Artfinder features ongoing sales. However, it's important to note that the return policy is rather strict—only 14 days are allowed for refund or replacement requests.
Price Range: Starts from $25 | Shipping: Varies depending on the seller | Return Policy: 14 days
Fine Art America
Fine Art AmericaIn addition to famous artwork reproductions, the site offers a wide variety of pieces from hundreds of thousands of independent artists.
Shipping costs differ depending on the item.
Fine Art America is known as the world’s largest art marketplace and print-on-demand company, featuring hundreds of thousands of artists and brands. While it offers reproductions of famous works such as Van Gogh and Monet, it also gives independent artists the opportunity to create their own online stores and display their works on the platform.
A large number of works on Fine Art America are available as originals, and everything on the site can also be purchased as a print. If you have a favorite artist, you can explore their personal storefront for even more of their creations.
Shopping on Fine Art America can be a bit challenging due to the lack of price sorting options. While you'll be able to see the cost of each piece on the search results page, the site doesn’t allow you to filter by price. Additionally, the brand does not offer free shipping, and the delivery costs vary depending on the item. However, if you’re not fully satisfied with your purchase, you have 30 days to return it.
Price Range: Starts from $15 | Shipping: Calculated based on order size | Return Policy: 30 days
How to Shop for Art Online Like a Pro
Budget
Although original artwork tends to be more expensive than reproductions, you can still find original pieces for under $100 on platforms like Etsy. Keep in mind that limited-edition reproduction prints can also be on the pricier side. For both original pieces and reproductions, always ensure that your artwork comes with a certificate of authenticity to ensure you’re paying for the genuine article.
Helmuth explains that when setting a budget for artwork, she considers how prominent the piece will be in the room and how much she loves it. She’s more inclined to invest in original pieces rather than reproductions. She also advises factoring in the cost of framing, whether purchasing online or in-store. Keep in mind that choosing a custom frame for your online art order can increase shipping costs.
Style
Whether you're drawn to realistic landscapes, abstract pieces, or fan art, there's virtually no end to the styles you can find online. If you're seeking reproductions of famous artworks, you can explore pieces from almost every movement imaginable. Many websites offer print-on-demand options for both classic and modern works, and you can also purchase prints of original art. For original pieces beyond prints, you'll find an array of media available online, including photography, drawings, paintings, mixed media, and sculptures.
While it’s essential to choose art that resonates with you personally, it’s also important to consider how it will complement your space. Helmuth suggests that the artwork should harmonize with the style of the room. For example, in a coastal-themed room, you might want art that reflects the light, airy feel of the space. On the other hand, in a more eclectic room, you may opt for artwork that contrasts with the furnishings, highlighting the room's diverse vibe.
Shipping
Shipping costs can vary when purchasing artwork. In some cases, shipping is free if you reach a certain spending threshold, while in other instances, it depends on your location and the size of your order. As a general rule, expect canvas prints and framed artwork to come with higher delivery fees than unframed posters.
However, the additional shipping cost may not always be worth it. Helmuth shares her experience, saying, "Framed artwork is often damaged during shipping." She suggests that when buying from sites like Etsy or directly from the artist, it’s better to have the artwork shipped unframed and handle the framing yourself locally.
Another factor to consider is the shipping time. Digital art files, which can be printed at home, are delivered immediately. On the other hand, if you're ordering commissioned art or print-on-demand pieces, be prepared for a processing time of several days, or even weeks, before your order ships.
Return Policy
When purchasing art online, it's crucial to understand the return policy, as you might not always receive exactly what you expected. As Helmuth points out, "Without seeing the piece in person before buying, the colors may not match, or the texture could differ from what you imagined by looking at it on a screen." Some platforms may not accept returns for aesthetic reasons and will only offer refunds or replacements if the item is damaged upon arrival.
Return policies can differ from one site to another, but most will offer a return window of 14 to 30 days for art purchases. If you buy art from a marketplace like Etsy, the return policy will generally be determined by the individual seller.
With print-on-demand services, returns are often final unless the item you receive is incorrect or damaged. While larger retailers like IKEA may not carry the most unique artwork, they typically offer longer return periods and are more flexible with returns for any reason.
Take Our Word for It
This article was written by Stacey Nguyen, a Mytour writer with years of experience in home and lifestyle content, and updated by Jamie Fischer, a shopping writer for Mytour. In order to find the best online art retailers, we researched a variety of sites, evaluating factors such as price, available styles, shipping costs, and return policies. Our team also shared personal recommendations based on their experiences with specific retailers. For additional advice on buying art, Stacey spoke with Betsy Helmuth, the interior designer and owner of Modern Interior Design.
