How to choose wall art size and frame

Choosing the right size is the difference between a print that looks planned and one that looks lost. Here is a simple way to think about it, from measuring the wall to choosing the frame.

Start with the wall

Measure the wall space, or the furniture beneath it. A good rule is that art should fill about two thirds of the width of the furniture below it. A sofa that is 200 cm wide suits a single large piece or a group about 130 cm across.

Also look at the room. A small bedroom wall can handle a big print if the rest of the room is quiet, while a busy wall may need something smaller.

What each size does

• A4 (21 x 29.7 cm): shelves, bedside tables and gallery groupings. It works best in sets of three or more.
• 30 x 40 cm: the all-rounder. Good above a desk, in a hallway or as a pair above a bed.
• 50 x 70 cm: a statement piece for a bare wall or above a sofa. The frame adds a little to the finished size.

Browse our framed art prints in all three sizes. A botanical piece like the Banksia Botanical print shows its detail best at 30 x 40 cm or larger, while a small still life such as Morning Ritual works nicely at A4 on a kitchen shelf.

Hanging height

Hang the centre of the artwork at about 145 cm from the floor, which is roughly eye level. Above furniture, leave 15 to 25 cm between the top of the furniture and the bottom of the frame. If you are hanging above a sofa, our guide to styling art above a sofa goes through it step by step.

Choosing a frame colour

Natural oak warms a room and suits botanical subjects, timber floors and linen. Black gives a crisper, more graphic edge and suits modern or high-contrast rooms. Every print arrives framed in real wood with an acrylic front, ready to hang.

A few rules of thumb:

• Pale walls and timber floors: oak.
• White walls with dark accents: black.
• Mixed frames: keep the same colour in each group, or use one oak and one black on purpose.
• Pale prints on a pale wall: a black frame gives definition.

Grouping

Lay the prints on the floor first and rearrange them until the spacing feels even. Keep about 5 to 8 cm between frames, and align either the centres or one edge. For layouts and examples, read gallery wall layout ideas.

Match the print to the room

• Kitchen: Morning Ritual or Tea by the Coast.
• Living room: a larger Banksia Botanical print.
• Hallway: a pair of 30 x 40 cm prints at eye level.

For more on the botanical look, see how to style botanical prints.

Caring for the frame

Hang away from direct sun, dust with a dry soft cloth and wipe the acrylic front with a slightly damp microfibre cloth and no glass cleaner. See the care guide.

Gifting a print

If you are not sure about the size, A4 or 30 x 40 cm is usually the safest as a gift, and it works with a wide range of rooms. For more ideas, see housewarming gift ideas.

How to order

Prints are made to order in Australia. Production takes 3 to 7 business days and delivery 2 to 5 business days. Shipping is a flat A$12.95, free over A$150. Hanging hardware depends on your wall, so use the fixings that suit it, and a spirit level makes hanging much easier.

Worked examples

Here are three common situations and a size that suits each.

• A 180 cm sofa: two thirds is about 120 cm. One 50 x 70 cm print is 50 cm wide, so choose two side by side with a gap, or three 30 x 40 cm prints in a row, which total roughly 100 cm plus gaps.
• A 140 cm bed: a pair of 30 x 40 cm prints above the headboard, or a single 50 x 70 cm print centred, both look balanced.
• A narrow hallway: A4 prints in a vertical stack, or one 30 x 40 cm print at eye level, so people can see it as they pass.

Common questions about size

Many people ask whether bigger is always better. Not always. A large print on a small wall can feel heavy, so leave some empty wall around it. If you are in between sizes, go up one size rather than down, because art that is too small is the most common regret.

Another question is portrait versus landscape. Our prints are portrait format, which suits narrow spaces and vertical groupings. Hang a pair side by side to create a wider shape.

Measuring before you order

Cut paper to the size of the print, tape it to the wall and live with it for a day. This quick test shows whether the size and height feel right before you order, and it costs nothing. Remember that the finished frame is a little bigger than the print itself.

Frames and acrylic

Our prints have an acrylic front rather than glass. It is lighter, which makes it easier to hang, and it is safer in a busy household. Acrylic can mark if cleaned with the wrong products, so wipe it with a slightly damp microfibre cloth and no glass cleaner.

Landscape or portrait

All of our framed prints are portrait. If you want a wider look, hang two side by side with a small gap, or hang three in a row. In a narrow space, a single portrait print draws the eye up and makes the ceiling feel higher.