The single most common mistake when buying art isn't the colour or the style — it's the size. A piece that's too small leaves a wall looking unfinished; one that's slightly off in proportion never quite settles. This complete guide covers how to get it right: the simple rule that does most of the work, the standard sizes explained, which orientation suits which spot, and how high to hang.
The two-thirds rule
If you remember one thing, make it this. Art above a piece of furniture should span roughly two-thirds of that furniture's width. Above a sofa, a bed, a sideboard or a console, measure the furniture, take two-thirds, and look for a piece (or arrangement) close to that width. As a worked example, a 200 cm sofa calls for art around 120–150 cm wide. It's the fastest way to a result that looks intentional rather than accidental.
On an empty wall with no furniture beneath, scale to the wall instead: fill roughly two-thirds to three-quarters of the available wall width, leaving clear margins on either side.
Standard sizes, explained
Most of our pieces come in a handful of standard sizes, and knowing what each one is for makes choosing easy:
50×50 cm — small and square. Ideal alone in a tight spot, or in a pair or grid. Browse 50×50 cm and the Square format.
50×70 cm — a versatile mid-size that suits most walls, above a bedside or a narrow console. See 50×70 cm.
70×100 cm — the workhorse statement size: generous above a sofa or bed without overwhelming. See 70×100 cm.
Large formats — for a true focal point on a big wall or above a three-seat sofa. Browse Large paintings.
Portrait, landscape or square?
Orientation should echo the space it sits in. Landscape pieces suit wide walls and sit naturally above sofas and sideboards — see Horizontal formats. Portrait pieces flatter tall, narrow walls, hallways and the space between windows — see Vertical formats. Square works almost anywhere and is the easiest to hang in pairs or grids.
Sizing by spot
A quick reference for the most common places:
Above a sofa: two-thirds of the sofa width, usually horizontal — 70×100 cm or larger. More in our living room wall art guide.
Above a bed: two-thirds of the headboard width, a single calm piece — 70×100 cm or 50×70 cm. More in our bedroom wall art guide.
In a kitchen: smaller pieces around the cabinetry — 50×50 cm, alone or in a pair. More in our kitchen wall art guide.
In a hallway: tall, narrow portrait pieces, or a row of equal sizes. More in our hallway wall art guide.
How high to hang
Use the gallery standard: centre the artwork about 145–150 cm from the floor. Above furniture, also leave roughly 15–25 cm between the top of the furniture and the bottom of the frame, so the two read as connected. For the full step-by-step on fixings and levelling, see our guide on how to hang a painting.
When in doubt, go bigger
Most rooms are under-sized rather than over-sized when it comes to art. If you're torn between two sizes, the larger one almost always looks more confident and considered. A single generous piece beats several small ones scattered across a wall — read more on how a large painting shapes a room.
Frequently asked questions
What size should a painting be above a sofa?
About two-thirds of the sofa's width — a 200 cm sofa suits art around 120–150 cm wide. Above a three-seat sofa that usually means a large horizontal piece around 70×100 cm or wider.
How high should art be hung?
Centre it roughly 145–150 cm from the floor — the gallery standard — and leave about 15–25 cm above any furniture beneath it.
Is it better to have one large piece or several small ones?
One large piece usually reads as calmer and more intentional, and it's easier to get right. Use small pieces deliberately, in pairs or grids, rather than scattered.
What's the most versatile size to buy?
50×70 cm suits the widest range of walls, while 70×100 cm is the go-to statement size above sofas and beds.
Ready to choose? Browse by size — 50×50 cm, 50×70 cm, 70×100 cm — or explore Large paintings for a statement.
