The Problem with Mass Produced Wall Art (and what to do instead. . .)
We’ve all done this: You walk into a home decor store, and there it is—another oversized canvas with a generic phrase like "Live, Laugh, Love." Or maybe it’s a pretty—but eerily familiar—landscape that you’ve seen in at least three different waiting rooms.
It’s easy. It’s convenient. But it’s also… empty.
Mass-produced wall art might seem like a quick way to decorate, but over time, it starts to feel like background noise. Here’s why that matters—and what to do instead if you want your home to actually reflect who you are.
What’s Wrong with Mass-Produced Art?
1. It Lacks Soul
Mass-produced art is designed to be neutral enough to appeal to everyone. But when you try to speak to everyone, you often say nothing. These pieces are made for profit, not for connection. They don’t tell your story. And YOUR story is what matters when curating what you want YOUR home to feel like.
2. It’s Everywhere
That “abstract blue and gold canvas” from a big-box store? Your neighbor probably has the same one. It shows up in Airbnbs, office lobbies, and hotel rooms. It’s safe—but it isn’t special. Do you even like that shade of blue?
3. It Doesn’t Hold Meaning
Art has the power to ground you, heal you, and remind you of who you are. When it’s meaningful, it becomes more than decoration. Mass-produced pieces don’t usually carry personal value. They're just... there. Not that they aren’t beautiful, but again - personal connection?
4. It Supports Corporations, Not Creators
The art industry is saturated with cheaply reproduced works that funnel money into corporations instead of artists. Choosing mass-produced art means missing an opportunity to support independent creators and small businesses who pour their heart into their work. Whose every color choice is ripe with meaning. Whose every brushstroke is angled a certain way because the direction is symbolic. Whose every story behind every piece is rich in a thousand ways.
What to Do Instead?
If you’re craving a home that feels like you, here are three ways to ditch the cookie-cutter decor and bring in art that resonates:
1. Buy From Independent Artists
Look for small studios, Etsy shops, or local art fairs. Artists often offer affordable originals or prints that are limited edition—so you’re not just buying a thing, you’re buying a story.
2. Decorate With Meaning
Think about what matters to you: nature, music, family, resilience, joy. Find art that reflects those themes. It’s not just about color—it’s about connection.
3. Start Small, But Start Intentionally
You don’t need to redo your whole home. Start with one wall, one piece, or even one digital download. When you choose with intention, even a small change can shift the entire energy of your space. That is what’s important. Your story is all about what makes you FEEL or THINK.
Where to start? My Shop, of course.
Looking for meaningful art that tells a story?
Every piece in my shop was created with its own story. Every piece in my shop was created to make its collector feel wonder, peace, and imagination. Every piece in my shop stirs the dormant. It was created to remind you of who you were before you got bogged down into the everyday mumbo jumbo, technology trapped, sun up to sundown monotonous routine that you long to break free from.
Your home is your sanctuary. It deserves art that reflects who you are—not what’s trending at the retail giants.
Whether it’s an original painting, a digital download, or a custom piece you connect with—art should spark something inside you. Choose pieces that speak to your soul.
You don’t need more “stuff.”
You need more story.
You’ve got this.
After all, you are always the hero of your own story.
