There are simply too many reasons for us to buy gifts for friends and loved ones—birthdays, weddings, holidays, housewarming parties, etc.—the list goes on. The next time you’re about to buy gifts for friends and have no idea what to buy, why not consider buying art? A beautiful piece of art displayed in your friend’s house will not only beautify the place but also be a fun conversation piece for his visitors.

That said, buying art for someone else can be quite tricky. The last thing you want is to buy something that doesn’t match the decor of your friend’s house. Eventually, he could quietly put the artwork away in the storage room. To avoid that, make sure the art you buy matches the decor of your home. Here’s how to search and buy posters online.

Here are some tips to help you make the right purchasing decisions:

1. Plan a visit

If you’ve never been to your friend’s house, try to make an appointment so you can get a taste of the place. During your stay, pay close attention to the decorative theme of the house. Is it modern, contemporary, minimalist, or maybe Victorian? Perhaps your friend is well-traveled and has collected antiques from all over the world. Perhaps he likes Asian styles, as evidenced by the furniture and decorative ornaments in the home. Also, note the color theme. Are the walls colorful with bright primary colors, or are they pastel earthy colors? These considerations will influence your decision on the type of art to buy.

2. Identify a location for the arts.

While you’re in the house, identify a wall where you might want to hang the artwork. It can be quite a challenge to find a suitable space to hang art, especially if the wall is already decorated with other works of art. Remember that you don’t have to buy a very large piece that takes up the entire wall. You can have a small piece of art that can share the wall space with other pieces that are already there. You just need to pay attention to the theme of those artworks. For example, if those pieces are black and white photos of architectural buildings, then you’ll have a pretty good idea of the kind of art to buy that will go nicely with the others. 3.

3. Pay attention to the color theme.

A rule of thumb is to take note of the 2 strongest colors in the room and then choose art that contains those colors. For example, if the room has a lot of brown and beige, you can select art with these 2 colors in it, but it’s fine to have an extra touch of red or yellow in it. After all, you want the art to stand out and tell a story, so don’t pick something that goes together so well that it becomes unobtrusive.

Be aware of other things in the room that may attract attention. For example, if there is a beautiful Persian rug in the center of the room that the owner is very proud of, choose artwork with subtler colors than the rug so as not to distract from it. Having a room with rugs, curtains, and artwork all screaming for attention can throw the whole room off balance.

4. Take note of the decor style.

It’s important to find art that matches the furnishing style of your friend’s house. If the house is in the Victorian style or has a lot of old antiques, choose something closely related to that style. Flower-themed paintings or countryside landscapes can never go wrong. Protect it with an antique-style frame that gives it a nice old-world charm. Remember that the frame you choose is also part of the artwork, so don’t ignore it. A-frame with intricate details and carvings would look great on a Victorian or old cottage.

For a modern home with contemporary-style furnishings, you are practically spoiled for choice when it comes to contemporary art. For a room that is colorful, choose something that is black and white. For a room with neutral colors, choose something that stands out and draws attention. The important thing to note is that you want the art to be noticed. Also, remember that contemporary or abstract art doesn’t have to mean anything. Different people will interpret it differently. So don’t be too hard on yourself when it comes to choosing the right art for your friend.

5. Consider the size!

If you are planning to buy a large piece of art, make sure there is enough space on the wall to place it. It may seem logical, but from an interior design point of view, large pieces are more suitable for rooms with lots of space and high ceilings. If your friend lives in a small space, large pieces are definitely not suitable. In this case, buy a smaller piece, or better yet, a set of small, similar, themed artwork that can be grouped together when displayed. On the other hand, if your friend lives in a house with a lot of space, buying art that is too small will look misplaced and out of proportion.

So there you have it-just some basic guidelines to steer you in the right direction. Remember, if all else fails and you really can’t find a suitable space to hang art, you can always put your artwork in the picture frame and display it next to other photos. Nothing is impossible. A little experimentation can do wonders.