How to buy art as a couple and build your private gallery at home

While their dream acquisition remains a Rothko, they’ve built up an enviable collection that houses celebrated names including Jitish Kallat, Tanya Goel, Sanket Viramgami, Gurjeet Singh, Areez Katki and Soghra Khurasani. Their taste has evolved too, moving from modern abstract art to process-driven pieces and geometric art to even folk. Over a decade later, they still enjoy doing the rounds of galleries to discover new artists and visual languages.

“Buying a piece of art can really bring a couple together,” explains Shivani Mutatkar Sambhare, founder of boutique advisory firm The Art Insider. “Focus on the process rather than the outcome—go to galleries and fairs together, turn monthly art nights into date nights. It helps with building your taste as a couple and can spark many interesting conversations, which then leads to buying the right piece.”

Sculptures, textiles, ceramics, even a beautiful piece of furniture can be collected as art, notes interior designer Ravi Vazirani. Photographed by Pankaj Anand.

And your purchases need not be limited to paintings or prints for the walls. “Sculptures, textiles, ceramics, even a beautiful chair can be art,” says Ravi Vazirani, founder and principal designer at Ravi Vazirani Design Studio. “Invest in small collectibles that feel like they belong to your story, not just your space. Buy less, but better. And don’t rush to fill every corner. Let the space grow with you.” Whether it’s the same colour, art form or something that evokes nostalgia, Vazirani recommends finding a common aspect and using that as a starting point to build your collection.