How to Choose the Right Artwork Size for Every Room

Choosing the correct artwork size is one of the most important steps in decorating your home. The right scale makes a room feel balanced, finished, and professionally styled. Below you will find detailed answers to common art sizing and placement questions for every space in your home.

All artwork sizes listed are in inches.

Golden Rules for Choosing Art Size

What Is the Standard Height to Hang Artwork?

The center of your artwork should generally hang about 58 inches from the floor. This is considered ideal viewing height and works well in most rooms.

When hanging artwork above furniture, position the bottom of the frame about 4 to 8 inches above the furniture so the art feels connected to the piece below it.

How Wide Should Artwork Be Compared to Furniture?

Artwork should span about 1/2 to 3/4 of the width of the furniture underneath it. This creates balanced visual proportion and prevents the art from feeling too small or too overwhelming.

If you are unsure between two sizes, choosing the larger option typically creates better impact.

How Far Apart Should I Space Multiple Pieces of Art?

When hanging multiple pieces, leave about 2 to 4 inches between frames to create cohesion while allowing each piece to breathe.

How Does Ceiling Height Affect Art Size?

Rooms with standard ceiling heights work best with moderate scale artwork, while rooms with tall ceilings benefit from larger or vertical pieces that emphasize height and fill the wall proportionally.

How Do I Choose Between Horizontal and Vertical Art?

Horizontal artwork works best above wide furniture such as sofas, beds, and dining tables. Vertical artwork is ideal for narrow walls, tall ceilings, and smaller spaces where height should be emphasized.

Should I Choose Canvas or Framed Artwork?

Framed paper prints offer a traditional, elevated look and work beautifully in formal spaces such as dining rooms, bedrooms, and entryways. Canvas artwork provides a softer, more relaxed feel and is ideal for high traffic or moisture prone spaces like bathrooms, kitchens, and family rooms.

What Should I Do If I Am Unsure About Art Size?

When in doubt, go bigger. Undersized artwork is the most common decorating mistake.

You can test artwork size before purchasing by outlining the dimensions on your wall using painter’s tape and viewing the space from across the room.

Large Wall Art Size Guide

What Size Art Works on a Large Empty Wall?

For large open walls, artwork should fill about 1/2 of the available wall space to create proper scale.

Common solutions include:
• 40x60 statement piece
• 30x40 or 40x60 pair
• Trio of 24x36 or 24x48

Oversized artwork helps anchor the space and prevents the wall from feeling unfinished.

How Do I Size a Gallery Wall?

A gallery wall should fill about 2/3 to 3/4 of the available wall space. Treat the entire arrangement as one large visual unit and keep spacing between frames consistent at 2 to 4 inches. Start with the center piece at eye level and build outward.

Living Room Art Size Guide

What Size Art Goes Over a Sofa?

Artwork should span about 1/2 to 3/4 of the sofa’s width.

How High Should Art Hang Above a Sofa?

Hang artwork about 4 to 8 inches above the sofa back.

Recommended Art Sizes for a Standard Sofa

• Pair of 30x40
• Pair of 30x30
• Trio of 24x36
• Trio of 22x28
• One oversized piece such as 60x40 or 40x30

Oversized artwork often creates a more elevated and intentional look in large living rooms.

What Size Art Goes Over a Console Table or Chest?

Artwork should span about 1/2 to 3/4 of the console table or chest width.

How High Should Art Hang Over a Console?

Hang artwork no more than 6 inches above the furniture so the art does not feel disconnected.

You can use a single statement piece, a pair, or a small grid arrangement depending on your style.

Bedroom Art Size Guide

What Size Art Goes Over a Bed?

Artwork should span about 1/2 to 3/4 of the headboard width.

How High Should Art Hang Above a Bed?

Hang artwork 4 to 6 inches above the headboard.

Twin Bed Art Size

• 18x24
• 20x16

Full Bed Art Size

• Pair of 16x20 or 18x24
• Single 36x24

Queen Bed Art Size

• Trio of 16x20
• Pair of 20x20 or 20x24
• Single 36x24

King Bed Art Size

• Trio of 16x20 or 18x24
• Pair of 24x24 or 24x36
• Single 40x30

Dining Room Art Size Guide

What Size Art Should I Hang Over a Dining Table?

Artwork above a dining table should span about 1/2 to 3/4 of the table width.

Recommended Sizes

Rectangular table
• 60x40 statement piece
• Three 30x40 pieces

Round table
• 40x40 square artwork
• Pair of 24x36 vertical pieces

What Orientation Works Best Over a Dining Table?

Long rectangular tables pair best with horizontal artwork. Round tables work well with a square piece or vertical pair. Rooms with tall ceilings benefit from vertical artwork.

Entryway Art Size Guide

What Size Art Works in an Entryway?

Artwork in an entryway should span about 1/2 to 3/4 of the console table or wall width to create a welcoming focal point.

How High Should Entryway Art Hang?

Hang artwork about 4 to 8 inches above entryway furniture.

Entryways benefit from statement pieces that create a strong first impression.

Fireplace Mantel Art Size Guide

What Size Art Should I Hang Over a Fireplace Mantel?

Hang artwork about 4 to 6 inches above the mantel.

Artwork should be wider than the fireplace opening but narrower than the mantel shelf to maintain proper proportion.

Rooms with tall ceilings benefit from vertical artwork above the mantel.

Staircase Art Placement Guide

How Do I Hang Art Over Stairs?

Follow the angle of the staircase and align artwork along a consistent center line to create balanced visual flow. Artwork should visually move with the stairs rather than sit in a straight horizontal row.

Bathroom Wall Art Size Guide

Bathrooms are wonderful spaces for art because they add personality to smaller areas. Popular placements include above the toilet, above a towel rod, or above the tub.

Where Can I Hang Art in a Bathroom?

• Above the toilet
• Above a towel bar
• Above the bathtub

What Size Art Goes Above a Toilet?

• Two 20x16 stacked
• 24x24
• 22x28

What Size Art Goes Over a Towel Bar?

• 11x14 pair
• 24x24

What Size Art Goes Above a Bathtub?

• 36x36
• 40x30
• 36x24
• Pair of 24x36

Larger statement pieces above a tub help anchor the space and prevent the wall from feeling empty.

What Type of Artwork Is Best for Bathrooms?

Wrapped canvas artwork is ideal for bathrooms because it holds up beautifully in moisture rich environments and eliminates concerns about glass or condensation.