Choosing wall art is exciting – but the question that stops most people is simple:
“What size should I get?”
When art is too small, it looks lost on the wall. When it’s too big, it can overwhelm the room. The good news is that a few simple guidelines can make your decision much easier.
At Home Art Studio, we design and photograph each piece with real rooms in mind. Here are some practical tips to help you pick the right size for your space.
1. Above a sofa: aim for two-thirds of the sofa width
For most living rooms, the wall above the sofa is the main spot for artwork. A good starting point:
- Choose a piece (or grouping of pieces) that is around 60–75% of the sofa width.
Example:
- Sofa width: 210 cm
- Ideal artwork width: about 125–155 cm in total
- One large piece, or
- Two or three pieces hung together as a set
If you choose a single artwork that is much narrower than the sofa (for example only 80 cm wide above a 220 cm sofa), it can look too small and “float” in the middle of the wall.
2. Above a bed: keep it close to the bedhead
For bedrooms, the artwork should feel connected to the bed, not drifting in the middle of the wall.
Simple rules:
- Aim for 50–80% of the bed width
- Hang it 10–25 cm above the bedhead
- Keep enough space to the ceiling so the wall doesn’t feel crowded
For a queen bed (around 153–160 cm wide):
- A single large piece around 100–130 cm wide works well
- Or a pair of smaller pieces side by side
3. For narrow walls and hallways: go vertical
Tall, slim artworks are perfect for:
- Hallways
- Narrow sections of wall near doors
- Spaces between windows or wardrobes
Vertical pieces:
- Draw the eye upwards
- Make ceilings feel higher
- Add interest without taking up too much horizontal space
Look for sizes like:
- 30 × 60 cm
- 40 × 80 cm
- Or a pair of pieces stacked vertically
4. Consider how bold you want the artwork to feel
Size is not just a measurement – it’s a statement.
Ask yourself:
- Do I want this piece to be the main focus of the room?
- Or do I want it to be a calm accent that supports the rest of the decor?
In general:
- Large artworks (for example 60 × 90 cm and above)
- Work well as a main focal point
- Suit simple, uncluttered walls
- Medium artworks (around 40–60 cm)
- Great for above small consoles, reading chairs or in gallery walls
- Small artworks (under 40 cm)
- Best grouped together or placed in more intimate areas (nooks, shelves, bedside)
5. Use tape or paper to test the size
Before you commit, you can “preview” the size on your wall using:
- Painter’s tape
- Paper cut to the size of the artwork
- Or a light pencil outline (if you are confident it can be cleaned)
Steps:
- Measure the artwork size from the product page
- Mark out a rectangle on the wall using tape or paper
- Step back and look at it from different angles in the room
- Ask: does it feel comfortable, or should it be larger/smaller?
This simple step removes a lot of guesswork.
6. Remember: styled photos are inspiration, not exact scale
At Home Art Studio, we show styled room images to help you imagine how a piece might look in a real space. These images are created as digital mockups for inspiration.
Because rooms, furniture and camera angles vary:
- The artwork in the photo may not match the exact size in your home
- The best guide is always the measurements listed on the product page
This is why we always recommend:
Use the dimensions first, and the styled photos as a guide to style and feeling.
7. Still unsure? We’re here to help
If you are choosing between two sizes or thinking about combining multiple pieces on one wall, feel free to send us:
- A photo of your wall or room
- The approximate width of your sofa, bed or console
- The artworks you are considering
We’re happy to share suggestions based on proportion and balance, so you can order with more confidence and enjoy the result every day.