What Size Wall Art Should I Choose?

A simple guide to choosing the right size for sofas beds hallways and large blank walls

Choosing wall art should be the fun part, but size can be surprisingly hard to judge from a screen. The easiest starting point is to look at the furniture beneath it. Above a sofa, bed or sideboard, aim for artwork that fills around two thirds to three quarters of its width.

If you are torn between two sizes, the larger one will often look better. Just check it first with masking tape and make sure there is still some clear wall around it.

How do I measure for wall art?

Measure the sofa, bed, sideboard or table first, then measure the clear wall above it. Keep radiators, shelves, switches and wall lights in mind. You do not need to fill every centimetre; a little breathing room helps the artwork stand out.

For a completely empty wall, measure the area you want the artwork to occupy and view it from where you normally enter or sit. This gives you a much better sense of scale than looking at the wall close up.

What size wall art should go above a sofa?

For a 180cm sofa, artwork around 120 to 135cm wide is a good place to start. A landscape canvas follows the sofa's shape naturally, while a large square can work well when there is plenty of space on either side.

Try to leave around 15 to 25cm between the top of the sofa and the bottom of the artwork. Too much space can make the picture look as though it is floating away from the furniture.

What size wall art should go above a bed?

Use the bed or headboard as your guide. One landscape piece at around two thirds of its width usually feels calm and balanced. Two or three coordinated prints can work just as well; measure the whole group, including the gaps, as one piece.

What works in a dining room?

A wide artwork can echo the length of a dining table or sideboard, while a square or portrait piece can give a shorter wall a stronger focal point.  Check the view both from the doorway and when you are sitting at the table.

What works in a hallway or narrow space?

Portrait art is a natural fit between doors, above a console table or on a chimney breast. In a long hallway, two or three smaller pieces can lead the eye through the space. Keep the gaps even so they feel like one display.

What size art suits a large blank wall?

Large walls nearly always need more scale than you expect. A print that looks generous on your phone can suddenly seem tiny when it is surrounded by empty wall.

One piece of oversized wall art gives the room a clear focal point. If you prefer several prints, treat the complete arrangement as one large shape when you work out its width and position.

Should I choose landscape, portrait or square?

Choose the shape that mirrors the available space. Landscape art suits wide areas above sofas, beds and sideboards. Portrait art is ideal for narrower walls, while square art works well in a balanced space or above a compact piece of furniture.

How high should wall art hang?

On an empty wall, try placing the centre of the artwork around 145 to 150cm from the floor. Above furniture, the relationship with the sofa, bed or sideboard matters more, so use the 15 to 25cm gap as your starting point.

Try the masking tape trick

Outline the full width and height with low-tack masking tape, then step back and take a phone photo. If you are comparing two sizes, mark both. It takes a few minutes and usually makes the right choice obvious.

Wall art size questions

Is it better to choose wall art that is slightly too big or too small?

Most people underestimate scale. If both sizes fit comfortably and the larger one still leaves some clear wall around it, the larger option will usually look better.

Should wall art be wider than the sofa?

Usually no. Artwork above a sofa tends to look best when it is narrower than the sofa but wide enough to feel connected to it. A grouped arrangement can extend further, provided it still leaves breathing space at each side.

Can I use several smaller prints instead of one large piece?

Yes. A group of art prints can work beautifully in place of one large piece. Measure the whole arrangement, including the gaps, as though it were one piece. Keeping the spacing even will make it feel considered.

Does the frame count towards the size?

Yes. Plan with the finished outer dimensions of framed artwork, not only the printed image. The product page gives the relevant size for the finished framed print.

Ready to find the right piece? Explore our canvas art, framed art prints, art prints and oversized wall art.