Choosing the correct size artwork for your wall.

This is guide is to help you confidently choose the right-size art for any blank wall or above your furniture pieces —complete with exact measurements, ratios, and handy tips (like using Post‑its!). This is a guide as opposed to a scientific recipe – as gut feel always wins.

 How to Choose the Right Size Artwork (And Why It Matters)

 Balance and proportion make the difference between art that looks lost or overpowering. A proven rule from the doyennes of interior design, is that artwork should cover about 60%–75% of the width of the space or furniture it sits above—sometimes up to 80% if you want it to command attention. Personally, I am more of an 80% kind of girl and believe that artwork should cover 66% (two-thirds) to 80% of the wall.

Photo above:  Anna standing next to "My sister made me do it" artwork, hung on a blank wall in entry hallway.

I know that budget comes into this thought process too, but it’s better to save for a bigger artwork than to risk having an artwork that looks like a postage stamp on your wall.

Take a read over, but if you want the ultimate hack, simply email me a pic of your wall and/or furniture  that you wish your new artwork to hang above, and I will mock it up for you. This will show you a choice of sizes on your actual wall.

Email me at hello@annalohe.com. Easy as that.

FINDING THE RIGHT SIZE ARTWORK FOR YOUR WALL

1. Art size guide above sofa

 Photo above: "When Frida Met Carmen" extra wide artwork hung over sofa.

• Target width: 66% (⅔) – 80% of the sofa’s width.

·       Target height: Depending on your wall height. Aim to fill at least half (50%) of the available wall height above the sofa.

·       Height placement: Leave 30-50cm (10–20”) between the top of the sofa and the artwork to allow for head room. Best way to check this is to sit on your sofa (or have the tallest member of your family sit on it, and measure above their head).

• Eye level: please check that the centre of the artwork is at eyelevel when you are standing.

·       Example: A standard 3-seater sofa typically ranges from 200cm to 240cm (approximately 78 to 94.5”) in width. So, let’s use 210cm:

• Width: 210cm × 0.80 = 168cm (so you would choose artwork that is 170cm wide approx.)
• Height: If your sofa back is 60cm high from the floor and you have a 2.4m high wall - the available wall height is 180cm high. If you are going to allow 50cm of head space above your sofa and approximately above the artwork – the ideal artwork size is 80cm high.
• IDEAL ARTWORK SIZE: 170x80cm (69x31”)

Artwork options:

1.  A Single artwork that can be rectangular and hung horizontally on your wall above your sofa - please refer to the "Extra Wide" artwork options on my website. All are 170x80cm (69x31”)

2. A pair of square artworks that has a 10cm (4”) gap in between – so 80 x 80cm (31x31”) square artworks x 2 - will create the same impact as 170x80cm. 

Photo above: "Jungle Sisters 1&2" artworks hung as a pair over sofa and slightly off-set so it fills more of the available wall space

2. How big should art be above bed? 

 

• Width: Use the same 66% (⅔) – 80% rule relative to the bedhead or mattress width 
• Height placement: Leave 30-50cm (10–20”) between the top of the mattress and the artwork to allow for head room. Best way to check this is to sit on your bed (or have the tallest member of your family sit on it, and measure above their head).
• NOTE: if you have a bedhead or headboard – you will need to ensure that the artwork is well-proportioned considering the available wall space from the top of your headboard to the ceiling height.
• Eye level: please check that the centre of the artwork is at eye level when you enter the bedroom

Photo above: "Limoncello Sunset 1&2" artworks hung as a pair above bed.

• • Example: A “standard” Queen Size bed across the globe can differ in size and what it’s called, but for this exercise I’m using 153cm (60”) as a typical width of a mattress.
  • Width: 153cm × 0.80 = 122cm (so you would choose artwork that is 122cm (48”) wide approx.) If you have bed side tables, perhaps go slightly wider.
  • Height: If your headboard is 100cm (39”) high (floor to top of your headboard) on a 2.4m high wall - the available wall height is 140cm high. If you are going to allow 20cm of head space above your headboard and approximately 20cm above the artwork – the ideal artwork size is 100cm high.
  • IDEAL ARTWORK SIZE: 120-130x100cm (48-51”x39”)

Artwork options:

1. 1. A single artwork that can be rectangular and hang horizontally on your wall above your bed– please see artwork options on my website that are 130x100cm (51x39”) for example
   2. A pair of square artworks that has a 10cm (4”) gap in between – so 60 x 60cm (23.5x23.5”) square artworks x 2 - will create the same impact as 130x60cm (51x23.5”) 
   3. If you have a high ceiling a large square such as 100x100cm (39”x39”) or 120x120cm (48x48”) can look amazing too.

Photo above: "Ifuru Magic" hung above bed to brighten every morning.

3. Best art size above a Console, Sideboard or Fireplace.

• Width: 60-80%% of the furniture or mantel width.
• Height: Let the art occupy about 60–75% of the vertical gap between the furniture and ceiling
• Spacing: Allow for 15-25cm (6-10") between the top of the console/buffet or fireplace mantel - considering the height of decorative items such as a vase or lamp.

Photo above: "Hacienda 1" hung above sideboard or console - allowing space for other objects such as a lamp.

·       Example: According to google, the average width of a sideboard is 122-183cm (48-72”) wide and 86-91cm (34-36”) high. Let’s use 160cm for height and 90cm for this example or 63 inches wide and 39 inches high.

• Width: 160cm (63”) × 0.80 = 128cm (so you would choose artwork that is 128cm (50”) wide approx.)
• Height: If your sideboard board is 90cm (39”) high (floor to top of your headboard) on a 2.4m high wall - the available wall height is 150cm high. If you are going to allow 15cm of space above your sideboard and approximately 15cm above the artwork – the ideal artwork size is 120cm high.
• IDEAL ARTWORK SIZE: 120x120-130cm (47”x 47-51”)

Artwork options:

1. 1. A large square artwork such as 120x120cm (47”x 47”) – this provides great impact and flexibility. Please refer to my artwork options on my website in this size.
   2. A single rectangular artwork, hung horizontally on your wall above your sideboard– please see artwork options on my website that are 130x100cm (51x39”) for example
   3. A pair of square artworks that has a 10cm (4”) gap in between – so 60 x 60cm (23.5x23.5”) square artworks x 2 - will create the same impact as 120x60cm (51x23.5”) if you need to hang them higher above the sideboard to allow for vases or lamps for example.

Photo above: "Botanical Riot" hung above console shown at 90% of the width  of the furniture piece for extra impact.

4. How to hang artwork on a Blank Wall

A blank wall is a wonderful opportunity to make a statement that can set the mood for your room. How large you go depends on the boldness of the statement that you would like to make. Oversized art oozes confidence, smaller art suggests a more reserved vibe. General guidelines are:

• Width and height: Aim for 60-80% of the wall’s width and height 
• Example: A 3m wall (120″) the ideal artwork is between 170 – 230cm (68″ and 90″) wide.
• Centre artwork at eye level about 150 cm (60″) from the floor.

Photo above: "Abundant Dance" hung on blank wall behind dining table. 

Below is another example where my client had a blank wall that was 6m wide. The right-hand side of this wall lined up with their front door and entry hallway. Initially they wanted the artwork to go in the middle of the blank wall, but the focal point was on the right-hand side of the wall. So, we hung it to the far right and the result was incredible. Here is the video to demonstrate the point.

Photo above:  "La Vie en Rosé" artwork in the entry hall on 6m blank wall.

 Wall Art Sizing Quick Guide: Find Your Perfect Fit

Location	Art Width (% of furniture/wall)	Vertical Gap Above Furniture
Sofa	66–80%	Allow for head height whilst seated
Bed (headboard)	66–80%	Allow for head heigh whilst sitting upright or above bed head
Sideboard/Fireplace	66–80%	15-25cm (6–10″) allowing for Vase or object height
Blank wall	60–80% (width & height)	Centre of painting should be hung at eye level for maximum impact in the room.

 4 handy tips to check you have the correct artwork size:

1. Mark out your proposed artwork size on your wall using painters masking tape, post-it notes or cut paper to size and blu-tak it to your wall, before buying your new artwork.
2. Change the colour of the post-it notes or masking tape if you are debating about different sizes.
3. All of these materials are available at Officeworks or other stationery supply stores such as Staples
4. Take a photo of each size and compare if needed.

 When In Doubt, Go Bigger

A piece slightly larger (up to ~80% width/height of the available wall space) generally looks professional and makes a statement—especially on wide walls.  Let your walls speak boldly - well-proportioned art completes any space with confidence.

Photo above: "Avalonia Sunrise full landscape" is hung confidently over an extra wide sofa.

6 Quick steps on how to choose best size artwork:

1.     Measure first → width of sofa/mattress/console/wall.

2.     Multiply by 0.66–0.8 for ideal artwork width.

3.     Allow for headroom          above beds and sofas.

4.     Mock-up with post it notes /paper/tape before buying (or drilling holes)! Or send me a pic of your wall to hello@annalohe.com and I’ll send you the ideal size options back to you on your actual wall to help you visualise.

5.     When unsure, lean slightly larger - “bigger is better” after all.

6.     Choose the artwork – that makes you feel happiest.

With these guidelines and artwork to furniture ratios, you will find the perfect size for artwork in your space, which will help you shop with confidence. Happy decorating xxx