IT is all very well how do you avoid the pitfalls? Will Ramsay, founder of the Affordable Art Fair, says: Preparation is key. Take time to think what you want before you arrive at a fair or gallery.

Have an idea of the space you are considering for the work so you get the size of the work in proportion to your room. Make sure you are familiar with colours, the degree of sunlight and general surroundings that will affect the look of a piece in a room."

He also advises doing your homework: Look at galleries' online sites, join their mailing lists, and at shows collect postcards of work so you can consider them at home.

Miss Olisa advises: Set yourself a budget. Decide how much you are willing to spend on a particular piece and never pay more for something than you feel comfortable with.'' Her gallery offers a 14-day money-back guarantee so buyers can hang a piece at home and live with it'.

Check authenticity, any artwork you buy should come with a certificate and be signed by the artist.

Also check the edition of a print, ie how many have been made.

The smaller the edition or print run, the more exclusive it is.

Ask what sort of print you're buying. Print's a general term which covers etchings, engravings, drypoints, woodcuts, lithographs, lino cuts and silk-screen prints.

Most experts advise buying a piece primarily because you love to look at it, and regarding investment value as only a possible bonus. As they say in the trade buy with your eye, not your ear'.

There's a wealth of prints, canvasses and photographs on the high street in stores like Habitat, Ikea and John Lewis.

These are an easy entry into the world of art, and can be a good way of finding out where your taste lies.

Jane Bailess, assistant buyer for John Lewis Decorative Accessories, says: Art's now an essential for smart rooms - and people are buying bigger and bolder. They want something original which makes a statement.

Often they'll colour co-ordinate a painting to fit their room scheme, but it's becoming more popular to use the artwork as an inspiration for a room.'' Habitat's popular collection starts from around £80 and includes bold, colourful prints, it pinpoints the on-trend buy as black and white photographic prints.

Choosing the right place to hang art can be tricky. Stephanie Hoppen, author of Picture Perfect (Jacqui Small, £25), a complete guide to choosing and displaying art, has invaluable tips.

Don't assume you have to hang art in the living room, you may achieve more impact in a hall, kitchen/dining area, bedroom or even a bathroom,'' she says.

Before you hang always sit or stand where you will most often be in a room before deciding what height to hang a piece. All too often people hang pictures too high.'' Great effect can be achieved by using a theme in a room that appeals such as sea scenes, animal prints or maps, she advises.

Generally a large painting looks best with a slim frame, while small paintings can be enhanced by being overframed' in a large elaborate frame. This makes a tiny picture look extra precious.

The Arts Council's Own Art scheme allows you to buy art up to the value of £2,000 interest free, repayable over ten months.

More details at www.artscouncil.org.uk/ownart