Buyer Education
How to Choose
the Right Size
The number one mistake art buyers make is getting the size wrong. Too small and the painting looks timid. Too large and it overwhelms. This guide covers the rules for every room.
Above a Sofa
Aim for the painting to be 2/3 the width of the sofa. For a standard 84-inch sofa, choose a piece 48-60 inches wide. Center it at 57-60 inches from the floor. Leave 6-8 inches between the sofa back and the bottom of the canvas.
Above a Bed / Headboard
The painting should be slightly narrower than the headboard. A queen headboard is about 62 inches — aim for a piece 36-48 inches wide. Hang it 6-10 inches above the headboard.
Dining Room
Hang art at seated eye level — center about 48-52 inches from the floor. The painting should span roughly 60-75% of the table width. A horizontal format works best in most dining rooms.
Entryway / Hallway
Tall, narrow spaces benefit from vertical-format paintings. A piece 30-36 inches wide by 48-60 inches tall creates upward visual movement. Hang the center at 57-60 inches.
Large Open Wall
For a wall with no furniture anchor, the painting should cover 60-75% of the available wall width. A 10-foot wall needs a piece at least 60 inches wide. Large-scale works (48x60 or larger) are ideal.
Gallery Wall
If grouping multiple pieces, anchor the arrangement with one substantial painting (at least 36 inches on the longest side) and build around it. Keep 2-4 inches between pieces for breathing room.
The Golden Rule
Art should cover 60-75% of the available wall width above your furniture. For a 72-inch sofa, that means 43-54 inches. For a 10-foot blank wall, that means 72-90 inches. If in doubt, go slightly larger — a painting that is a bit too big looks intentional. One that is too small looks like a mistake.
Hanging height: the center of the artwork should sit at 57-60 inches from the floor — average adult eye level. This rule works for almost every room and wall type.