Art rental: how it works, from favourite to your wall
Renting art instead of buying it: more and more people are doing it. You get a beautiful artwork on your wall without having to spend hundreds or thousands of euros up front, and you are not tied to one piece forever. In this article you'll read what art rental is, how it works and what to look out for when you want to rent a painting or silkscreen print.
What exactly is art rental?
With art rental (in Dutch: kunstuitleen or kunst lenen) you bring an artwork into your home for a fixed monthly amount. The artwork remains the property of the art rental, but it simply hangs on your wall. Ready for something different after a while? Then you swap it for another artwork.
At Kunstuitleen.nl you also save half of your monthly amount. You can use that credit to buy the artwork later, or another artwork from the collection. That makes renting a relaxed way to discover which piece you really want to keep.
How art rental works at Kunstuitleen.nl
- Choose your favourites online. Browse the collection and save as many favourites as you like. Click the heart on everything you like. Then, via your favourites, you reserve up to five per spot in your home to try out. That's how you request a free trial placement.
- We bring them round for free. We schedule a moment that suits you, anywhere in the Netherlands, with no call-out charge.
- We hold them up on your wall. That way you see in your own light, with your own interior, which artwork looks best.
- We hang your choice professionally. Drilling, plugs, hooks, straight and at the right height: we bring the tools. Whatever you don't keep, we take back with us.
- The first month is a trial. If you like it, the rental period begins.
You'll find a more detailed explanation on the How it works page.
How many artworks can you try at home?
You can have up to five artworks per spot in your home brought along for the trial placement. You don't have to pick five, but it helps: art often looks different in your own room than on a screen. With a few contenders side by side, you see straight away which one fits best.
How long do you rent an artwork for?
After the trial month, the rental period runs for at least six months. After that you can swap for something new free of charge, or simply leave the artwork hanging for as long as you like.
Renting or buying art?
Buying is great if you know exactly what you want and plan to enjoy it for a long time. Renting suits you better if you like variety, are still unsure, or first want to see how a piece works in your home. Because you build up credit, you don't have to make that choice in advance.
Tip: see the artwork on your own wall first
Unsure about the size? With the View in my room feature on the site you take a photo of your wall and instantly see an artwork at true size in that spot. That way you choose your favourites with more confidence.
Frequently asked questions about art rental
What do you pay for renting art?
You pay 3% of the artwork's gallery value per month, and half of that is saved for you. So an artwork worth €1,000 costs €30 a month, of which €15 goes straight into your savings credit. Signing up is free, and there is no extra charge for delivery and hanging.
Can I buy the artwork later?
Yes, you can. You pay with your savings credit. Not enough yet, or want to buy the artwork straight away? That's possible too.
What if there's nothing I like?
No problem: the trial placement at home is free. That's why we advise choosing up to about five artworks per spot, for example above the sofa. At home we look together at which one fits best, and we hang that one. Nothing fits after all? Then we simply take everything back. It costs you nothing at all.
Do I have to hang the artwork myself?
No, we do that, and we bring everything we need. We do this all day long and know exactly what the right height is, so it will turn out just right.
Can I swap once I've had enough of the artwork?
Yes, you can swap for another artwork every six months.
Art rental in your area
We deliver and hang art anywhere in the Netherlands, from Amsterdam and Haarlem to Leiden and beyond. See all locations.
How to order online: click the heart on the artworks you like to save them as favourites. Then go to your favourites and reserve them. That's how you request a free trial placement.
View the collection and save your first favourites.