How to choose the right canvas size for your wall
Art House ·
The most common mistake with wall art is choosing a size that is too small. A few simple rules help you pick the right format before you order.
Measure the furniture, not just the wall
A painting above a sofa, bed or console looks balanced when it spans roughly two-thirds to three-quarters of the furniture width. For a 200 cm sofa that means a piece (or a group of pieces) about 130–150 cm wide.
If one canvas would be too big, use two or three of the same size with 5–8 cm between them — the total width of the group is what counts.
How high to hang it
The gallery rule: the centre of the artwork about 145–155 cm from the floor, at eye level. Above a sofa or bed, leave about 20–30 cm between the bottom of the canvas and the backrest or headboard.
Which size for which space
| Space | Suitable sizes |
|---|---|
| Narrow hallway, niche, next to a door | 30×40, 40×60 cm (portrait) |
| Above a chest of drawers or desk | 50×70, 60×90 cm or two of 40×60 cm |
| Above a sofa or bed | 80×120 cm (landscape) or two–three of 50×70 / 60×90 cm |
| Large empty wall | 80×120, 100×150 cm |
Check before you order
- Tape a sheet of paper or masking tape to the wall at the size of the canvas and look at it from where you usually sit.
- In our editor, the “On the wall” view shows the canvas to scale next to a sofa of about 200 cm.
- Orientation matters: portrait for a tall narrow wall, landscape above long furniture.