The Complete Wall Frame Size Guide
How to choose the perfect canvas size for every room.
Fig. 01 — Frame Collection, various proportions
"What size should I get?" is the question we hear more than any other at Shadow Gallery — and it's the one detail that makes or breaks a room's decor.
A gorgeous canvas in the wrong size can look awkward no matter how nice the artwork is, while the right size makes even a simple print look professionally designed. Here's the guide we wish every customer had before they ordered.
Size to Your Furniture, Not Your Wall
The most common mistake is choosing a frame size based on the empty wall space rather than the furniture beneath it. A wall may look huge, but if you're hanging art over a sofa, bed, or console table, that furniture — not the wall — should set your proportions.
The formula: your wall art, or the total width of a set, should cover 60–75% of the width of the furniture below it.
| Furniture Below | Furniture Width | Ideal Art Width |
|---|---|---|
| 2-seater sofa | 140–160 cm | 90–115 cm |
| 3-seater sofa | 180–220 cm | 110–160 cm |
| Queen / King headboard | 150–180 cm | 100–135 cm |
| Console table / sideboard | 100–140 cm | 65–105 cm |
| Dining table (long wall) | 160–220 cm | 100–165 cm |
Standard Canvas & Frame Sizes Explained
Most wall art comes in a set of standard sizes. Here's what each is best used for:
- 30×40 / 40×50 cm — SmallHallways, above a desk, bathroom walls, small gaps between doors and windows, or one piece within a gallery-wall cluster.
- 50×70 / 60×80 cm — MediumA single accent piece above a nightstand or console. Also the standard size for individual panels in a 3-piece triptych.
- 70×100 / 80×120 cm — LargeThe classic "above the sofa" or "above the bed" statement piece for an average living room or bedroom wall.
- 100×150 cm+ — Extra LargeTall ceilings, open-plan living rooms, or a villa centerpiece. Also common as the center panel of a triptych, flanked by two smaller panels.
Fig. 02 — Sizes shown to scale against furniture
How to Size a Triptych or Set of Three
Fig. 03 — Triptych sizing in a living room
Triptychs are the most popular way to fill a wide wall without one giant, heavy canvas. To size one correctly:
- Measure your furniture width (see table above).
- Decide your total spread — usually 60–75% of that furniture width.
- Divide that total across 3 panels, leaving 5–10 cm of gap between each.
Example: for a 200 cm sofa, aim for a total width of 130–150 cm. Three panels at 45×60 cm with 8 cm gaps lands you right in that range.
The Rule Interior Designers Actually Use
Regardless of size, hang art so the center of the piece sits 145–150 cm from the floor — roughly eye level for an average standing adult. Over furniture, leave 15–25 cm between the top of the sofa or headboard and the bottom of the frame.
What Goes Where
- Above the sofaLarge single canvas (70×100 cm+) or a triptych spanning 60–75% of sofa width.
- Above the bedLarge horizontal canvas or a set of 2–3 pieces centered above the headboard.
- Entryway / hallwayMedium vertical piece (40×60 or 50×70 cm), or a tight gallery wall of small frames.
- Home officeMedium frame (50×70 cm) at seated eye level, not standing eye level.
- Gallery wallMixed small and medium frames, same frame family, 5–8 cm spacing throughout.
Not Sure What Fits Your Wall?
Send your wall or furniture measurements on WhatsApp and our team will recommend the exact size and layout — no guesswork.
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