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How to choose the right wall art size
From 21 × 30 to 59 × 84 cm: how to choose a print size for a sofa, a bed, a desk or a whole wall.
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.
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.
Quick guide
21 × 30 cm (21 x 30 cm) for shelves and small groups. 30 × 42 cm (30 x 42 cm) above desks and in pairs. 42 × 59 cm (42 x 59 cm) above beds and consoles. 59 × 84 cm (59 x 84 cm) as a single statement above a sofa.
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.
Test before you buy
Cut paper to the size you are considering and tape it to the wall, or use our Size & Fit Guide to see every size against a sofa, bed and desk.
Try real print sizes on a photo of your wall with the Gallery Wall Builder.
