Why We Really Buy Art (Spoiler: It’s Not Just for the Walls)

Hey, hello there, friend!

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about why we buy art (of course, right?). Is it because it looks good? Matches the couch? Adds that “wow” factor to your Zoom background?

Sure… maybe.

But I was curious to go deeper—so I asked you.

I posted a little poll series on my Instagram Stories asking:

“What matters more to you when investing in art: how it looks, or how it makes you feel?”

The answers? Let’s just say… y’all are not shallow.

Guardians of the Horizon, Original by Drica Lobo, signed 2025

The Functional Side (why we buy art)

First, we talked functional benefits. You know, the practical reasons people buy art:

• It elevates your space

• Adds sophistication

• Increases perceived value

• Makes a bold statement (hello, conversation starter!)

  
  

80% of you said “Yes, aesthetics matter.”

But 20% added a little side-eye emoji energy: “Kind of… but not everything.”

And honestly? That’s where it gets interesting.

The Emotional side (why we buy art)

Then came the heart of it all—emotional benefits. Imagine art that:

• Inspires you daily

• Sparks memories

• Soothes your nervous system

• Reminds you of who you are

  
  

And guess what?

100% of you said:

“YES, that’s everything.”

Not one person voted “Never thought of it like that.”(Which made my artist heart do a little happy dance, I mean, really!)

So what does this mean?

It means we’re not just decorating—we’re connecting. Art isn’t just for your wall—it’s for your soul.

It holds memories. It calms chaos. It whispers truth. It becomes a mirror of who you are—or who you’re becoming.

And maybe that’s why we stare at certain pieces a little longer. Why we feel something shift when we walk into a room filled with intention. Why no AI, print, or mass-produced poster can quite touch us the same way.

A Little Nerd Moment

Psychologists have actually studied this. (Of course they have.)

A 2014 study published in Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts found that viewing visual art triggers pleasure responses in the brain, similar to falling in love or listening to music. It's called neuroaesthetics — basically, your brain feels art before your brain understands it.

So yeah, your gut reaction to art is real. And valid.

So here’s my takeaway (and maybe yours too):

Art is both a feast for the eyes and a hug for the heart.

It’s okay to love it for how it looks. But it’s even more powerful when it makes you feel something.

Thanks for helping me write this post through your votes, your energy, and your honesty.

Now I’m curious…If your favorite painting could talk, what would it say to you?

Tell me in the comments or email. I’d love to know.

Color Your Life!

Drica