Styling art above a sofa: size and height

The wall above a sofa is the one most people struggle with. Art that is too small looks lost and art that is too high floats. The fix is simple maths and a bit of patience.

The two rules that matter

1. Width: art should be about two thirds of the sofa's width. For a 200 cm sofa, aim for about 130 cm in total width.
2. Height: leave 15 to 25 cm between the top of the sofa and the bottom of the frame.

Our wall art size guide goes through the thinking behind both.

Option 1: one large print

One 50 x 70 cm print suits a small to medium sofa. It is simple, calm and works with plain walls. If your sofa is 200 cm wide, one print will look smaller than two thirds, so consider pairing two 50 x 70 cm prints side by side with a 5 to 8 cm gap.

The Banksia Botanical print is a good fit for this role, with warm ochres and soft greens that suit linen, timber and neutral cushions. Choose natural oak for warmth or black for contrast.

Option 2: a group of prints

Three 30 x 40 cm prints in a row add up to about 100 cm plus gaps, which suits a sofa up to about 180 cm. Keep the gaps equal and align the centres. See gallery wall layout ideas for other arrangements, and consider a mix such as Morning Ritual and Tea by the Coast with a botanical piece in the middle.

Option 3: one print plus objects

If you prefer a lighter look, lean one print on a narrow shelf behind the sofa and add a small lamp or a ceramic vase. This is less formal and easy to change.

Finding the right height

Measure the sofa height, add 15 to 25 cm, and mark the bottom edge of the frame. Check the centre of the artwork lands somewhere between 145 and 160 cm from the floor. If your sofa is very high, the art can sit a little higher than eye level, but avoid going more than that.

Colour and mood

Pull a colour from the print into the room. A terracotta throw, a sage cushion or a mug on the coffee table ties it together. Our Australian native botanical decor ideas show how to do it without making the room busy.

Common mistakes

• Hanging the art too high, so it floats above the sofa.
• Choosing art that is too small for the width.
• Spacing frames unevenly in a group.
• Using a frame colour that fights the room.

Hanging safely

Use fixings that suit your wall type, and a spirit level to keep the line true. If you are unsure, ask a hardware shop for the right hook for your wall. Our care guide also covers keeping the frame clean and out of direct sun.

How to order

Browse the framed art prints in three sizes. 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.

When the sofa sits in front of a window

If a window sits on one side, hang the art so it is centred on the sofa rather than the wall. It will look off centre in the room but balanced against the furniture. Use a smaller print on the window side if needed, and keep the print out of direct sunlight.

Leaning versus hanging

If you do not want to make holes, lean a print on a console or narrow ledge behind the sofa, and overlap it with a small lamp or a vase. It is easy to change and works well in rentals.