Quick answer: choose wall art that is about two-thirds to three-quarters the width of the furniture below it, hang it so the centre sits roughly 145–152 cm (57–60 in) from the floor, and leave a 20–25 cm gap above a sofa or headboard. For a 3-seater sofa, one small print is almost always too small — use a set of 3 or a large canvas.
The most common wall art mistake isn’t the design — it’s the size. A print that looked perfect on your phone ends up floating like a postage stamp above a big sofa. This wall art size guide gives you simple rules and a ready table, using the sizes we actually print.
Our print sizes in inches and centimetres
| Format | Size (inches) | Approx. size (cm) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Framed poster | 12 × 18 | 30 × 45 | Side walls, shelves, beside doors, sets of 3 on smaller walls |
| Framed poster | 18 × 24 | 45 × 60 | Above desks and consoles, pairs and sets above beds and sofas |
| Canvas | 8 × 12 | 20 × 30 | Shelves, bathrooms, small nooks, gift size |
| Canvas | 16 × 20 | 40 × 50 | Bedside walls, study walls, entryways |
| Canvas | 20 × 30 | 50 × 75 | Statement piece above a console, dining wall, or as a pair above a sofa |
Frames add a little to the outer size, so leave a few extra centimetres when you plan.
Rule 1: Match art width to the furniture below it
Art looks anchored when it covers about 2/3 to 3/4 of the width of the sofa, bed, console or desk under it. Measure the furniture, multiply by 0.66 and 0.75, and aim for art (or a group of art) that falls between those two numbers.
Example: a sofa that is 190 cm wide → aim for art about 125–145 cm wide. A single 18×24 print is only 45 cm wide, so it will look lost. A set of three 18×24 prints with 6 cm gaps is about 147 cm — just right.
Wall art size chart by furniture
| Where | Typical width | Target art width | What to choose |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-seater sofa | 180–210 cm | 120–155 cm | Set of 3 in the larger size, or two 20×30 canvases side by side (≈106 cm) |
| 2-seater sofa | 140–160 cm | 95–120 cm | Two 18×24 prints (≈96 cm) or a set of 3 in 12×18 (≈102 cm) |
| Queen bed headboard | ~160 cm | 105–120 cm | Set of 3 in 12×18 or two 18×24 prints |
| King bed headboard | ~190 cm | 125–145 cm | Set of 3 in 18×24 |
| Console, sideboard or TV unit | 100–120 cm | 65–90 cm | One 20×30 canvas, or two 12×18 prints |
| Study desk | 100–120 cm | 65–90 cm | One 18×24 print, or two 12×18 prints |
| Narrow wall or beside a door | 40–70 cm | — | A single 12×18 print or 16×20 canvas, hung vertically |
Widths are typical ranges — always measure your own furniture first.
Rule 2: Hang at eye level, not ceiling level
Galleries hang art so the centre of the piece is about 145–152 cm from the floor. At home, most people hang too high. If the art is above furniture, the gap matters more than the floor height:
- Above a sofa: 20–25 cm between the top of the sofa back and the bottom of the frame.
- Above a bed: 20–30 cm above the headboard.
- Above a console or desk: 15–25 cm above the surface, so it reads as one arrangement.
Rule 3: Spacing for a set of 3 or gallery wall
Keep 5–8 cm between frames. Closer than 5 cm looks cramped; more than 10 cm and the prints stop reading as one group. Hang the middle print first, centred on the furniture, then add one on each side at the same height.
Not sure which prints go together? Our wall art sets of 3 are designed as matching trios, so the colours and spacing are already worked out.
Rule 4: Portrait or landscape?
Match the shape of the wall. Tall, narrow walls (beside a door, between windows, a staircase landing) want vertical pieces. Wide walls above sofas and beds want either one wide piece or several vertical prints side by side. All our prints are vertical, which makes them easy to group.
A 2-minute paper test before you order
- Cut newspaper or brown paper to the size of the print (use the cm column above).
- Stick it on the wall with masking tape at the height you plan.
- Look at it from the door and from where you sit. If it looks small, it is — go one size up or add a second print.
Framed poster or canvas?
Framed posters arrive ready to hang, with a black or white frame that gives a crisp, finished edge — good for modern and minimal rooms. Canvas prints have no glass and no glare, so they photograph well and suit living rooms, cafés and big statement walls.
Still unsure? Send a photo of your wall to us on WhatsApp and we’ll suggest a size — or take the 30-second style quiz. Browse ideas by room in living room wall art and bedroom wall art.
Frequently asked questions
What size wall art should go above a sofa?
Aim for art that covers about two-thirds to three-quarters of the sofa width. For a typical 3-seater of 180–210 cm, that means roughly 120–155 cm of art — usually a set of three 18×24 inch prints or two large canvases, not a single small print.
How high should I hang wall art?
Hang it so the centre of the art is about 145–152 cm (57–60 inches) from the floor. Above furniture, keep a gap of 20–25 cm above a sofa back and 20–30 cm above a headboard, so the art and furniture read as one arrangement.
How much space should be between frames in a set of 3?
Leave 5–8 cm between frames. Less than 5 cm looks cramped, and more than about 10 cm makes the prints look like separate pieces instead of one gallery wall. Hang the middle frame first, centred on the furniture, then add the two sides.
Is 18×24 inches a good size for a living room?
An 18×24 inch print (about 45×60 cm) works well above a desk, console or side table. Above a full-size sofa it is too small on its own, so use two or three together, or choose a 20×30 inch canvas instead.
What size is 12×18 inches in cm?
12×18 inches is about 30×45 cm. It is a good size for side walls, shelves, spaces beside doors and for sets of three above smaller furniture such as a 2-seater sofa or a queen bed.
How do I check the size before buying?
Cut paper to the exact size of the print, tape it to the wall where you plan to hang it, and look from across the room. If it looks small on paper, it will look small when framed, so go one size larger or add a second print.