How to choose the right wall art size

The most common mistake with wall art is choosing prints that are too small. A print that looks big in your hands often looks tiny on a wall. These three simple rules help you size it right.

What size wall art do you need?

Choose art that covers about two-thirds of the width of the furniture below it. In most homes that means 42 × 59 cm prints above a bed or console, a trio of 42 × 59 cm or a pair of 59 × 84 cm prints above a three-seater sofa, and 21 × 30 to 30 × 42 cm above a desk. The table below has the key measurements.

1. Size to the furniture, not the wall

Art usually relates to the furniture below it, so measure that first. Aim for art that covers about two-thirds of the width of the sofa, sideboard or bed. The Desert Arch Trio, shown at the top of this page, uses three large prints to match the scale of a deep sofa.

The Desert Arch Trio: three large prints matched to a deep sofa.

2. Smaller surfaces, smaller groups

Above a desk, a console or a bedside table, 21 × 30 cm and 30 × 42 cm prints are usually right. The Mountain Desk Trio groups three medium prints above a desk, so the art fills the space without overwhelming it.

The Mountain Desk Trio: medium prints above a desk.

3. Make a row for wide walls

If one print is not wide enough, use several in a row. The Seaside Bedroom Row hangs four prints side by side above a bed, so together they cover the width a single print never could.

The Seaside Bedroom Row: four prints spanning a bed.

4. How big should art be above a bed?

Measure the headboard rather than the wall. A UK double bed is about 135 cm wide and a king about 150 cm, so you are aiming for roughly 90 to 100 cm of art. Two 42 × 59 cm prints with an 8 cm gap come to 92 cm, which suits most double beds. For a king, three 30 × 42 cm prints with 6 cm gaps reach about 102 cm. Hang the bottom edge 20 to 30 cm above the headboard. See wall art ideas for bedrooms, or shop bedroom prints.

5. How big should art be above a sofa?

A standard three-seater sofa is around 210 cm wide, so two-thirds is about 140 cm. That is wider than any single print, which is why a pair or trio works best: three 42 × 59 cm prints with 6 cm gaps span about 138 cm, and two 59 × 84 cm prints with an 8 cm gap span about 126 cm. A two-seater suits a pair of 42 × 59 cm, or one 59 × 84 cm or 61 × 91 cm print. Our guide to wall art above a sofa covers height and layout in detail.

6. Hallways, consoles and awkward walls

On a narrow hallway wall, go tall rather than wide: two 30 × 42 cm prints stacked one above the other fill the space without crowding the walk-through. Above a console or sideboard the two-thirds rule still applies, so a 120 cm sideboard suits about 80 cm of art, such as a single 59 × 84 cm print or a pair of 30 × 42 cm prints with a generous gap. Wall art ideas for hallways has more examples.

Common sizing mistakes

Going too small is the big one: if you are between two sizes, choose the larger. The next is hanging too high, so the art floats away from the furniture; keep the centre about 145 cm from the floor (see hanging art at the right height). Mixing too many sizes in one group can look busy, so two or three sizes are enough. Finally, a frame adds a little to every side, so allow for it when you measure a tight space.

Test before you buy

Cut paper to the size you are considering and tape it to the wall for a day or two. It is the quickest way to see whether a print is big enough before you order.

Try real print sizes on a photo of your wall with the Gallery Wall Builder, or browse all prints and our ready-made sets of three, which take the guesswork out of sizing a group.

Wall art size questions

What sizes do your prints come in?

Eight sizes: 15 × 20, 21 × 30, 30 × 42, 31 × 41, 42 × 59, 46 × 61, 59 × 84 and 61 × 91 cm. Every size comes unframed or framed in natural oak, black wood or white wood.

Will a standard frame fit?

Yes. Our sizes match standard frame sizes, so an off-the-shelf frame in the same size will fit an unframed print without trimming.

How much space should I leave between prints?

Keep gaps of 5 to 8 cm between frames in a pair or group, and keep the gap the same all the way round, so the set reads as one piece.

Can I see the size before I buy?

Yes. The Gallery Wall Builder shows real print sizes on a photo of your wall, and Match my room suggests prints for your space.