How to Choose the Right Size Wall Art for Your Home

One of the most common questions I get from customers is: "What size should I get?" It's also one of the biggest reasons people hesitate before buying art online. You love the piece — but will it look right on your wall, or will it get lost, or worse, overwhelm the space?

The good news is there's a simple approach to getting it right every time. Here's my practical guide to choosing the right size wall art for your home.

Start With Your Wall, Not the Art

Before you fall in love with a print, measure your wall space first. Use a tape measure and note the width and height of the area you want to fill. Then use painter's tape to mark out the approximate dimensions on the wall — this is the single best trick for visualising scale before you buy.

General rule: Art should fill roughly two-thirds to three-quarters of the wall width it's hanging on. A piece that's too small will look lost; too large and it can feel oppressive.

Art Above a Sofa: Getting the Scale Right

The sofa wall is one of the most common places people hang art — and one of the easiest to get wrong. Here's what works:

For a standard 3-seater sofa (around 220–240cm wide):
A 36x36" (91x91cm) square print sits beautifully above a sofa — bold enough to make a statement without overwhelming the space.

A 24x36" (61x91cm) portrait print works well in narrower spaces or where you want a more vertical emphasis — hallways, bedrooms, or beside a window.

Hanging height: The centre of the artwork should sit at roughly eye level — around 145–150cm from the floor. When hanging above a sofa, leave 15–20cm of space between the top of the sofa and the bottom of the frame.

Room-by-Room Size Guide

Living Room: Go large and confident. A 36x36" or larger canvas makes a strong focal point above a sofa or fireplace. Don't be afraid of scale in a living room — bigger usually wins.

Bedroom: Above the bed, aim for a print that's roughly two-thirds the width of your bed head. A 24x36" portrait or a wider landscape print both work well depending on your bed size.

Hallway: Vertical portrait prints work best in narrow hallways. A 24x36" print draws the eye down the corridor and makes the space feel longer and more intentional.

Home Office: A single medium print (18x24" or 24x36") at eye level behind your desk adds personality without distraction. Choose something that energises you — you'll be looking at it a lot.

Dining Room: A large landscape print or a pair of matching prints works well in a dining room. Aim for art that sits comfortably within the width of your dining table.

The Painter's Tape Test

Before ordering, grab some painter's tape and mark out the exact dimensions of the print on your wall. Live with it for a day. You'll immediately know if it's the right size — and it costs nothing to adjust before you commit.

Every Print in My Collection Includes a Size Guide

Each product page on my site includes a size chart mockup showing the print relative to a standard sofa — so you can get a real sense of scale before you buy. No guesswork required.

→ Browse the full Steve Riley Art collection

Still not sure what size is right for your space? Get in touch — I'm happy to help you find the perfect fit.