Choosing the wrong size is the most common art-buying mistake. And it almost always goes in the same direction. Too small.

A painting that is too small on a wall looks like it has been placed there with uncertainty. It creates visual imbalance and never quite settles the room the way the right size would. When in doubt, go larger. A painting that feels slightly large in the shop will almost always feel exactly right on the wall.

Living room: above the sofa

This is the most important wall in most living rooms. The art above your sofa should be between two thirds and three quarters of the width of the sofa. For a full guide on this specific placement, read my post on the best wall art for above a sofa.

Living room: feature wall

For a feature wall without furniture in front of it, a single large painting of 80cm to 120cm in one dimension is usually the minimum to feel intentional. For more on choosing abstract art for your living room overall, read my guide on abstract wall art for living rooms.

Bedroom: above the bed

Above the bed, aim for art that is at least 120cm wide for a king-size bed and 80cm to 100cm for a double. Horizontal paintings work best above a bed. For a full guide to art in bedroom settings, read my post on art for a calm bedroom.

Bedroom: alcoves and small walls

For smaller formats and pairs, read my post on small wall art ideas which covers exactly how to make intimate formats work.

Hallway and home office

In a hallway, 40cm to 60cm in width is usually the maximum before it feels dominant. Vertical formats work particularly well. In a home office, position the painting within your field of vision from the desk.

For specific guidance on how to think about horizontal vs vertical orientation, read my dedicated post on that topic.

A note on hanging height

The centre of the painting should sit at approximately 145cm to 155cm from the floor for most adults. Once you have your sizing right, read my complete guide on how to hang a painting to make sure it goes up perfectly.

Find the right painting for your space here. I cannot wait to see you there.