Selecting the Right Size

Follow my wall size calculator to find the right fit.

Congrats! You’ve found the perfect piece of artwork, but where would it look best in your space? The task of determining the proper placement of new artwork can sometimes seem daunting, but by making a few measurements, you’ll be able to ensure that your artwork is perfectly spaced on the wall.

When shopping for a painting, size is nearly as important as the composition of the piece. An improperly sized painting can either overwhelm a room or allow the room to overwhelm the art, neither of which is aesthetically pleasing. For many, art is both a passion and an investment, and when it comes to the latter, you should take the time to buy something that’s perfect for your home.

For years, designers have been following a simple guideline to find the ideal fit. Grab your tape measure and follow these steps:

Measure the length and width of the wall where you want to hang the painting. If it is going over a bed, couch or other piece of furniture, only measure the open wall space, from the top of the furniture to the ceiling rather than from floor to ceiling.

Get it right the first time, use the following as a guideline: 

[wall width] x 0.57 = [ideal width of artwork] 

If you are working with a grouping or collection, use the same formula to find the ideal width that the pieces should fill with 2-3 inches in between each frame.

The width formula can also be used to find the ideal height for a vertically orientated piece. The overall area (height x width) of the artwork should cover ⅔ to ¾ of the area of the open wall space.

In general, bigger is usually better. Choosing a piece of wall art that is on the slightly larger side of what you think will be appropriate for a wall is better than it being too small which makes the room feel barren.

Need help determining the size of artwork you need for a space? Send me an email below!