Are you wondering where you can find art for your home without spending a lot of money? It’s not as difficult as you might think. Here are some of my favorite options.

I love to visit craft fairs not only to shop for items, but also because they rev up my creative juices. There’s nothing like spending several hours walking through one to inspire your inner artist. But, whether you are the creative type or not, more than likely you will find some great items to decorate your home at a craft fair. If you can’t afford an original painting or photograph, many artists offer more affordable prints of their work. At the very least, you can get their business card and save to buy one of their pieces down the road.

Local art galleries are also wonderful sources for art. Especially if they are geared to art that is indigenous to your area. At many local galleries you may have the opportunity to meet the artist and talk with them about their work. Doing so can enhance its special meaning for you.

There are many places to buy handmade art online and two of the most popular besides eBay are etsy.com and artfire.com. Shopping at these venues is like having the craft fair come to you. I love being able to take my time, finding exactly what I want without having to leave home. However, not all online artists market their work through these sources. I’ve found art for my home just by discovering artists at blogs or subscribing to newsletters at favorite sites. Sites like Pinterest, Stumble Upon and Flickr can also help you find great artwork.

Keep in mind you can often order custom art pieces, too. If you like an artist’s style, it might be worthwhile to ask if they do commissions. It may cost more, but if it provides what you are looking for then the cost may be worth it. Oftentimes, a custom piece is not much more than the regular price.

Other wonderful places to shop for art are antique shops, yard sales and thrift stores. It’s like going on a treasure hunt with the thrill of never knowing what you might unearth. I’ve found phenomenal items at these places for very little money. However, it helps going in if you have an idea what you are looking for. Otherwise, you can easily spend all day at such places, buying things that didn’t line up with your original goals.

Lastly, make your own art. There’s nothing more personal than getting elbow deep into the creative process. Swirl a multitude of colors on a canvas or frame your children’s crayon drawings to display as a wall gallery. Whatever you enjoy that contributes to the look and feel you are going for in your home, then that’s the art for you.