What Size Wall Art Do I Need? A Room-by-Room Guide

The number one question I get is "what size should I get?" Not which print. Not which style. What size.

I get it. You're staring at a wall, holding a tape measure, and trying to imagine what 42x59cm looks like. It's not intuitive. So here's what I've learned from printing, framing, and hanging art for the past few years.

The basic rule

Your art should cover about 60-75% of the available wall width. Not the whole wall. The wall space that isn't taken up by furniture.

So if you have a sofa that's 180cm wide, the wall space above it is roughly 180cm. 60-75% of that is 108-135cm. That's either one large print (50x70cm works), or a set of 3 prints (3x A3 side by side with gaps).

Size reference

Here's what our sizes actually look like:

Digital download - you choose. Print at any size at your local print shop.

A3 (29.7 x 42cm) - about the size of two A4 sheets side by side. Good for smaller walls, grouped sets, hallways, bathrooms. This is the most versatile size.

50x70cm - the statement size. This is what you want above a sofa, above a bed, or as a single focal point on a large wall. Big enough to see from across the room.

Room by room

Living room (above sofa)

Single print: 50x70cm, centered above the sofa

Set of 3: A3 prints, spaced 5-8cm apart

Hang center of the art at 145-150cm from the floor (roughly eye level when standing)

Leave 15-25cm between the top of the sofa and the bottom of the frame

Bedroom (above bed)

Single print: 50x70cm works for a double bed, might feel small above a king

Set of 2: A3 prints side by side, symmetrical

Don't hang too high. Center at 140cm from floor works - you'll mostly see it from the bed, not standing

Kitchen

A3 is perfect. Kitchens have limited wall space between cabinets

Botanical prints work here - they're detailed enough to enjoy up close

Group a set of 4-6 small prints in a grid for a gallery effect

Hallway

Vertical A3 prints in a line, spaced evenly (15-20cm apart)

The gorge prints (vertical compositions) are made for narrow spaces

Hang slightly lower than usual - hallways feel taller, so 140cm center height

Bathroom

A3 max. Bathrooms are small, big art feels aggressive

Frame it properly (glass front, not canvas) to handle humidity

One single print, simple composition. Abstract or botanical.

Staircase

Follow the angle of the stairs with a diagonal arrangement

A3 prints, 3-5 of them, ascending with the steps

Keep 15cm gap between frames

Sets and gallery walls

If you're buying a set, the sizing is already figured out:

Coastal Trio (3 prints): works as a horizontal row above a sofa or bed

Botanical Collection (6 prints): 2 rows of 3, or 3 rows of 2, in a kitchen or dining room

Flower Market Set (4 prints): 2x2 grid on a feature wall

The sets are designed to work together at the same size. Don't mix sizes within a set - it looks unbalanced.

The "step back" test

After hanging, stand at the far side of the room. Can you tell what the print is? If it's just a blur of color, go bigger. If every detail is visible, the size is right.

For our minimalist prints, even A3 reads well from across a room because the compositions are simple. For the botanical prints, you want to be closer - they reward detailed looking.

Still not sure?

Start with A3. It's the safest choice, works in any room, and if you decide you want bigger later, you can always upgrade. The digital download option lets you print at any size - take the file to a local print shop and test different sizes before committing.

All prints at thecretaneleni.com/shop.