Home improvements: The art of picking pieces

Buy pieces that evoke an emotional response, and take your time.

Buy pieces of art that evoke an emotional response. The best collections evolve gradually over time.

Don’t rely on obvious sources – visit art fairs, local markets and auction houses. Keep your eyes open, especially on your ­travels.

Art should be hung lower than you think; many people fall into the trap of hanging art too high, which creates an awkward focal point within the room. I like to experiment with levels.

Use mirrors in clever ways to create interesting reflections. Mirrors are a great way to show angles of a sculpture that may not otherwise be seen.

Creating artworks with friends and family is a fun way to add a personal touch – I edit and frame artworks created by my children to display alongside well-known pieces.

Don’t be too deferential – you can touch and move art, within reason. I accessorise my sculptures and often move pieces around. Seeing them from a new angle can be like seeing them again for the first time. Art should not be off-limits.

Niloufar Bakhtiar-Bakhtiari is the founder of NBB Design