Wall Art Previews

How to Choose the Best Size for Wall Art

Nothing beats an architect’s CAD program for previewing art, especially on a structure yet to be built. My architect clients have used their CAD program to successfully present art to clients for pre-approval. But there are now a number of programs and apps available for designers, business owners, homeowners, photographers and other artists to preview art before making final selections and size determinations. In this article we will look at a few of these Apps and online programs for previewing wall art. 

In choosing an app or software to use you may want to consider the following:

1. Is there a free version for a one-time or minimal use?
2. Does it work on Mac, PC and connected devices or is it just available for limited platforms (e.g. iOS)?
3. Does it have an adequate library of images to choose from that will suit my purposes. For example, are there a wide variety of rooms, home décor styles, and wall colors? 
4. Can wall colors be changed?
5. Can I upload images of my own wall for placement of art?
6. Can the artwork be resized easily and will sizes show when images are resized?
7. Can multiple pieces of art be placed?
8. Is there a wide selection of frames available?
9. Can adjustments be made to the images within the program…for example, brightness, contrast, color cast?
10. Are all the walls straight on flat views, or can the program show angled views with perspective?
11. Can I save images to share with clients or friends or is there a client portal? 
12. Can I use images on my website or social media?
13. Does the program have good support and reviews?
14. What is the monthly or annual cost?

A brief description is given for eight software programs, followed by a chart covering most of the above questions and my suggestions for you based upon your use.

ArtPlacer

ArtPlacer allows you to scale your images with perspective. You may use multiple images and share on your website or on social media. A large library of walls, including bathrooms, kitchens and art galleries is available, as are many frame and mat choices. Share via email or on their sharing platform. Wall color changes are currently not available but planned. A widget is available for integration into your website. iOS and Android versions are available. Tutorials and Knowledgebase are extensive. ArtPlacer has a Discover section that helps to promote their users. 

ArtRooms

ArtRooms is an iOS app with similar options to ArtPlacer. It has a large library of rooms and you can add your own rooms and art. The cost is about $8/month by subscription. A good use of ArtRooms is for in gallery sales where additional art pieces (that aren’t on the walls) can be pulled up to show customers. Frames can be added and wall colors can be changed.

ArtSee

ArtSee is an iOS app focusing on remote sales. The app allows the user to take pictures of walls and then take pictures of artwork to try on the wall, but that is just the beginning. Art from participating galleries is also available. An artist, designer or gallery can upload available art, then show it placed and resized on the client’s wall or on a library of walls. A unique QR code for each saved item can be shared with the client and others. ArtSee would be particularly handy for artists who can have their complete available portfolio to show at art fairs or for a gallery that wants to have all their artists’ works to show. Galleries are linked to owners of the app, so they can share their art remotely. The gallery version pricing levels starting at $50 per month and increases with the number of works shown. A free 90 day trial is offered to convince the gallery of the value. 

Canvy

Canvy is available for smartphones as well as desktop systems. ‘A free version has very limited rooms and a watermark. The company promotes its integration with Etsy. The Pro version ($150/year) has an extensive number of room choices. Images can be uploaded, sized to a wall. Mats and frames can be added in a variety of colors. Pictures can the be downloaded and added to your website. I noticed that Canvy places ads with Google using all the competitors names in the ads. I am not particularly fond of this marketing strategy.

iArt View

iArt View is a free iOS app that allows the artist or decorator to place available images on photos of walls of clients or on a library of walls. Pictures are automatically scaled to the wall. Walls with pictures can then be saved and shared by email. Through a subscription ($180 per year), prints may be sold at a fee of 9.5%.

Instagram

With Instagram, take a picture of your wall and a separate picture of your artwork. Then start to prepare a story. Select the room photo. Touch the screen continuously until “paste” pops up, then paste the photo of your artwork. Move the art around and even resize it to your satisfaction.

Mockup Editor

Mockup Editor allows the user to upload an image into a room scene in a browser window. Other objects are available to place around your print. For example, if you want to place a picture over a desk, you can also add a desk chair, lamp and houseplant. There is a single time use fee or a $69 annual use fee. The best application would be for at home decorators.

OhMyPrints (WallApp)

OhMyPrints is a free, web based program (not an app) that is allows you to upload a single artwork to a limited selection of wall spaces. It is most effective for those that want a very simple way to view a picture size for a wall in the home that might be similar to one of those in the provided library. A photographer could use the program to help decide what sizes of artwork to make available for purchase. Files can be saved and uploaded to social media.

Photofunia

Photofunia is a free app available on all smart phone platforms. It has editing software that can provide fun effects including fancy small frames and animations. Its best application is for informal portraits, therefore it could work as an additional app for wedding photographers or school photos.

Shoot & Sell

Shoot & Sell is an iOS app designed specifically for photographers and other artists. Unique features of this app are the ability to add a watermark directly from the app prior to direct upload to social media and the availability of real designer frames for the artwork. A proof sharing option allows your client to select from all of their images in a slideshow or viewing bar and try them in frames and on walls. The app allows groupings and it also allows product pricing to be shown directly on the app. 

VOUN

VOUN is a free app for iOS whose strength is frames for your artwork. You can take a photo (or upload a photo) of your artwork and see what it looks like with different frames and mats on a small wall space. It currently does not allow resizing or have a library of rooms so you are left to imagine what sizes would look good.

Wallary

Wallary is an iOS or android app that uses an augmented reality (AR) feature.  Its best use is to test your own photo purchases on your own walls. Take a picture of your wall, then drag and drop separate pictures. Resizing, frames and mats and multiple picture layouts are available with the paid pro version. Room designs may be saved. Wallary says that you may use additional rooms from Unsplash, but most of these now involve a fee from Getty Images. Wallary offers in app purchases and a pro version to support its existence.

So which App or Software should you get?
It depends on what your function is. Are you a buyer, artist, decorator, or gallery owner.

For you Buyers

You may work with an artist, decorator or gallery owner who can show you art on your walls with their app. But if you prefer to shop alone, get an app that lets you take pictures of your own walls, then take pictures of art you see in the physical or virtual marketplace, resize it, frame it and contact the seller. 

For Gallery Owners 

iArtView has strong features for gallery owners who want to walk around with customers and be able to show additional art from represented artists and to preview new art to loyal customers. For galleries that have a strong web presence, one of the web-based programs may be more suitable or an additional option. Gallery owners mayor also want to consider software that manages inventory, sales and much more, such as ArtLook and ArtGalleria.

For Artists

If you are just beginning in your career with limited pieces for sale, you may want to use one of the iOS platforms that helps you get the word out on Instagram. For artists with more work to show my preference is for ArtPlacer and ArtRooms. If you don’t have a website or are not satisfied with your current website platform, you may want to consider a specialty website for artists that integrates some degree of art walls with the website. Two examples are Artspan and ArtStoreFronts.

Disclaimers:

1. I currently have no financial incentive from any of the programs or apps mentioned, but I do use ArtPlacer on my website.
2. The following table is as accurate as possible given the difficulty in discovering some of the information and the fact that many of these programs are constantly undergoing improvements. If you are going to use or purchase one of these programs, use this as a starting point for your own research.