Mariam Naficy, founder of Minted (a favourite online marketplace of works by artists around the world), tells us how to arrange art in a magazine-worthy way.

1. Take your time

“Rome wasn’t built in a day,” says Mariam Naficy, Minted’s founder. “And the same is true of a gallery wall.” Collecting takes time, especially if you have an eye for expensive art. In the meantime, build on the works you already own by using inexpensive prints as fillers.

2. Vary the sizes

Variety lends interest, so be sure to include pieces large and small, tall and short. And don’t overlook orientation – a mix of horizontal and vertical options keeps the eye engaged, advises the expert.

3. Make it professional

In addition to displaying meaningful artwork – such as something picked up on holiday – incorporate family photographs in your gallery wall. But avoid the standard pose with everyone simply smiling at the camera and instead select pictures that are candid and artistic.

4. Pick your palette

Have a colour scheme in mind. Choose a piece with a strong signature colour and then find others that feature the same hue in a more subtle way. It’s also important to balance the light and the dark, even if you’re drawn to one over the other.

5. Mix old and new

For a collected look, pair modern and vintage pieces. Mariam suggests even going a step further: “If you have a contemporary medium like a photograph, frame it with something vintage. And if you have a vintage medium like an oil painting, counter it with a more modern frame.”