Size Matters: Finding the perfect sized piece for your walls

So, you’ve found the perfect canvas print. The colors, the theme, everything about it is perfect for the bare wall you’ve been looking to cover. You’re just a few clicks away from the perfect room décor. But then you have a choice: What size to get. If it’s too big, it could take over the whole room and detract from the rest of the décor. Too small and the wall will still look empty and bare. How can you choose the perfect size?

Have no fear, using this guide (and a little bit of math) you’ll be able to select the perfect size for your space.

General Sizing

The first thing you will want to do is measure the wall you wish to hang the art on. Measure the width and height of the open space that you wish to decorate. Use the following equation to get your ideal measurements for both width and height:

[Wall measurement] x 0.57 = [Ideal Size]

That’s it! These numbers will give you the area of the wall to be covered, but they are just a general guideline. It is unlikely that you’ll find a piece that exact size, so just try to get close. If you have the choice between slightly smaller or slightly larger, always go larger. When in doubt, you can always measure and cut out a sheet of art paper and tape it up to see if the size works.

Positioning

Now that you’ve got the right size, let’s figure out where to put it. Divide your wall width measurement by two (I know, more math, but it’ll be worth it!). This will be the centerline of your wall, and the piece should be centered over it. For the height, the middle of the painting should be about eye level or roughly 57” from the floor. Now you’ve got a perfect size and perfect position!

Shown: Altanera by Jairo Duran Perez.

While these guidelines work well for a single piece on a bare wall, but what about walls that have furniture against them? What about fireplaces? What if you can’t find a piece big enough? Read on for more tips (and yes, more math. I’m sorry).

Behind Furniture

When sprucing up a wall behind a sofa, dresser, or other pieces of furniture, you’ll start by measuring the furniture, not the wall. You’ll use the following equations to find a good range:

[Furniture width] x 0.57 = [Minimum Size] [Furniture width] x 0.75 = [Maximum Size]

The width of your piece should be in between those values (again, going larger is preferred over going smaller) and centered over the furniture.

Here’s an example. If you are hanging something over a sofa that is 84” wide, you’ll get the following numbers:

84” x 0.57 = 47.88”
84” x 0.75 = 63”

So a piece between 48” and 63” will work just fine

For the height, use the same method as above, but shift the position if necessary to make sure it is 6” to 12” above the furniture.

Shown: The Beach at Night by Hector Suarez

Above a fireplace

Hanging art above a fireplace doesn’t require precise measurements (no math!), but you’ll want to make sure that it is at least as wide as the fireplace opening, but smaller than the mantle.

Gallery Walls

For very large walls or just to add a little extra flair, consider using a gallery wall. Using the same guidelines for sizing, you can instead fill that space with multiple smaller paintings instead of one large one. Be sure to leave about 2-3” between paintings so it doesn’t look too overcrowded. Measure and cut art paper and tape it to the walls to experiment with designs.

Shown: Forest 5 (left) and The River by Ivelisse Gil

After reading this guide, you should now be able to shop with confidence to find the perfect print in the perfect size for your space! Remember, these are just guidelines. Feel free to play around with measurements and positions to find the perfect look for you. After all, art is about expression!