Wall art paintings size guide

Before choosing a wall art painting, you can follow these three principles to select the appropriate size for most spaces.

1. The 2/3 to 3/4 Rule

When hanging artwork above furniture (sofas, beds, dressing tables, dining tables), the width of the artwork should be 2/3 to 3/4 of the furniture's width.

This avoids the artwork appearing too small and "floating," or too wide and cluttered.

For example, a 96-inch (8-foot) sofa needs artwork with a width between 64 and 72 inches. A 60-inch dining table is best paired with artwork with a width between 40 and 45 inches.

2. The 57 to 60-inch Eye Level Rule

The center of the artwork should be positioned 57 to 60 inches from the ground. This corresponds to the average height of the human eye, making viewing more comfortable.

For rooms with high ceilings (over 10 feet), you can raise this height to 62 to 65 inches to make the most of vertical space.

Exception: If hanging above a bed or sofa, even if slightly below 57 inches, the artwork should be suspended 8-12 inches above the top edge of the furniture. In this case, the connection between the artwork and the furniture is even more important.

3. Wall Space Buffer

Leave 3-6 inches of blank wall space between the edge of the artwork and adjacent walls, door frames, or other decorative elements. This creates a sense of breathing space and prevents the image from feeling too crowded.

 

How to Measure: 

All you need is a measuring tape and a pencil.

Follow these steps:

1. Measure the furniture/wall: For above furniture, note the furniture’s width. For empty walls, measure the height and width of the space you want to fill.

2. Calculate the ideal art size: Multiply the furniture/wall width by 0.66 (2/3) and 0.75 (3/4) to get your target range.

3. Mark the center point: Use the 57–60 inch rule to mark where the center of your art will go. For above furniture, mark 8–12 inches above the furniture’s top edge.

4. Test with paper: Cut a piece of paper to your art’s dimensions and tape it to the wall.