The quick rule: a piece of wall art should fill about two thirds to three quarters of the width of the wall or furniture it hangs above, and its centre should sit at eye level, roughly 145 to 152 cm from the floor. Get those two things right and almost any piece will look considered rather than lost.
What size wall art do I need?
Measure the wall or the furniture below, then aim for artwork that covers about two thirds to three quarters of that width. A too small piece floating on a large wall is the most common mistake, and it makes a room feel unfinished. When in doubt, go larger. One generous piece almost always looks better than a scatter of small ones.
What size art goes above a sofa?
Measure your sofa and multiply the width by about two thirds. A three seat sofa around 210 cm wide suits a piece or arrangement roughly 140 to 160 cm wide. Hang it so the bottom edge sits about 20 to 25 cm above the sofa back. This is where a wide panoramic works beautifully, carrying the eye along the seating. See the panoramic collection for wide format pieces.
What size art goes above a bed?
Follow the same logic against the bed width. A queen bed around 152 cm suits a piece or pair about 100 to 120 cm wide, centred over the middle of the bed rather than the wall. A single calm image, or a matched pair, keeps a bedroom restful. Browse the lakes collection for quieter scenes.
A quick size reference
| Space | Suggested art width |
|---|---|
| Above a 3 seat sofa (about 210 cm) | 140 to 160 cm |
| Above a queen bed (about 152 cm) | 100 to 120 cm |
| Narrow hallway wall | Panoramic, or a series in a line |
| Large feature wall | One oversized piece, go bold |
How high should I hang it?
Centre the artwork at eye level, about 145 to 152 cm from the floor to the middle of the piece. In a dining room or above furniture, drop it so it relates to the furniture rather than floating high on the wall. Both finishes here arrive ready to hang, with step by step help on Hanging Instructions.
Which format suits which wall?
Panoramic pieces suit wide walls above sofas and beds and along hallways. Square formats group well and fill tighter spaces. Standard landscape formats are the flexible everyday choice. You can filter by format across the full black and white collection.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common wall art sizing mistake?
Hanging a piece that is too small for the wall or furniture below it. Aim for two thirds to three quarters of the width, and when unsure, choose the larger option.
How high should art be hung?
Centre it at eye level, about 145 to 152 cm from the floor to the middle of the piece. Above furniture, lower it so it visually connects to the sofa or bed.
Should I choose one big piece or several small ones?
For most walls, one generous piece reads as more confident and is easier to get right. Groups and series work well in hallways and tighter spaces.
What size suits a large feature wall?
Go bold with one oversized piece or a wide panoramic. A large blank wall can carry far more than people expect, and a big image becomes the focal point of the room.