Wall art that is too small is the most common decorating mistake, and it's the easiest to avoid with a tape measure and ten minutes. This guide gives you a number to aim for, a size to buy, and a way to check before you commit.
A tape measure, a pencil, and a sheet of paper (or old newspaper) you can cut up.
Step 1. Measure what's below the art
Art is judged against the furniture under it. Measure the width of the sofa, bed or console the art will sit above, in inches. If the wall is empty, measure the width of the free wall instead.
Step 2. Find your target width
Multiply that width by two-thirds (0.66). This is the width your art, or the whole group of frames, should fill.
| Furniture | Width | Aim for art about |
|---|---|---|
| Console or small table | 48 in / 122 cm | 32 in / 81 cm |
| Queen bed | 60 in / 152 cm | 40 in / 102 cm |
| 6 ft sofa | 72 in / 183 cm | 48 in / 122 cm |
| King bed | 76 in / 193 cm | 50 in / 127 cm |
| 7 ft sofa | 84 in / 213 cm | 56 in / 142 cm |
| 8 ft sofa | 96 in / 244 cm | 64 in / 163 cm |
Step 3. Turn that into frames
Our four sizes, with the approximate print dimensions:
| Size | Inches | Centimetres | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| A4 | 9 x 13 | 23 x 33 | Groups, shelves, desks, hallways |
| A3 | 13 x 19 | 33 x 48 | Narrow walls, or the repeating size in a gallery wall |
| A2 | 17 x 21 | 43 x 53 | Above a console or bed, or as a pair beside a window |
| A1 | 22 x 32 | 56 x 81 | The wall above a sofa or bed, big empty walls |
Leave a 2 to 3 inch gap between frames when you hang more than one. Here is how that adds up for the targets above:
| Target width | One way to fill it | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 32 in | One A1, or two A4 side by side | 22 in, or 21 in |
| 40 in | Three A4 in a row, or two A3 | 33 in, or 29 in |
| 48 in | Two A1 side by side, or three A3 | 47 in, or 45 in |
| 56 in | One A1 and two A3, or three A2 | 54 in, or 57 in |
| 64 in | Two A1 and one A3 | 63 in |
Step 4. Choose the height
The centre of the art should sit about 57 inches (145 cm) from the floor, which is roughly eye level. If the art hangs above furniture, leave 6 to 8 inches between the furniture and the bottom of the frame, so the two read as a single group.
If those two rules disagree, the gap above the furniture wins. In a room with a high sofa the centre of the art may land a little above 57 in, and that is fine.
Step 5. Check it with paper
- Cut paper to the frame size you chose (for example 22 x 32 in for an A1).
- Tape it to the wall at the height from Step 4.
- Leave it up for a day and look at it from the doorway and from the sofa.
- If it feels too small, go up a size. If it feels crowded, check you left 8 to 10 inches of clear wall at each side.
Mistakes to avoid
Hanging too high. The most common error. If you have to look up at it, it’s too high.
One small frame on a large wall. Use a larger piece, or group several.
Forgetting the mat. The cream border inside the frame adds visual space, so a frame looks smaller on the wall than the print size suggests.
Quick reference
- Art width = two-thirds of the furniture width.
- Centre of the art at 57 in (145 cm).
- 6 to 8 in between furniture and frame.
- 2 to 3 in between frames.
- Between two sizes? Take the larger one.
Quick answers
Can a small piece work on its own?
Yes, on a narrow wall, beside a door or above a desk. On a wide wall, group it with others.
Should I buy A1 for a living room?
Usually, yes. It is the size that reads from across the room. A pair of A1s above a 6 ft sofa is a classic.
What if my wall is very high?
Keep the art grouped with the furniture, not centred on the wall. A tall ceiling is a good place for a vertical A1.
Next, see how to plan a gallery wall layout, or try your measurements in the wall builder.