Wall Art Size & Height Calculator
Art that's too small or hung too high is the most common wall-decor mistake. Enter your furniture or wall size to find the right art size, how far apart to space a set, and exactly where to put the nail.
Result
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Shop pieces that fit
How this calculator works
Above a sofa, bed or console, art looks best when it's about two-thirds the width of the furniture, and anywhere from 57% to 75% works. On an empty wall, aim for about 60% of the wall width. For a set of two, three or four pieces, the calculator treats the group as one block and subtracts the gaps between them (3 inches is standard) to give the width of each piece.
For height, art above furniture should start 8 to 10 inches above it, close enough to look connected. On an empty wall, galleries hang art with its centre 57 inches from the floor, which is average eye level.
If you enter the art's height and how far the hanger sits below the top of the frame, the calculator tells you exactly where to put the nail.
Tips for a better result
Measure the frame, not the picture
Use the outside size of the frame or canvas, including the mat or border. A small print in a wide frame takes up far more wall than the print itself, and the width of the frame is what has to fit your range.
Mock it up with paper
Cut sheets of paper to the size of each piece, stick them to the wall with low-tack tape and stand back. You will see in a minute whether the group feels too small or too crowded, before you put any holes in the wall.
Find the real hanger drop
Pull the wire up as if it were hanging on the nail and measure from the top of the frame to the highest point of the wire. That number is the hanger drop. It is often 2 to 4 inches and makes the difference between a straight, level picture and one that sits too high.
Keep rooms with high ceilings in proportion
With a ceiling higher than 9 feet you can go to the top of the range, or hang a group slightly higher. Keep the art related to the furniture below it so it does not look as though it is floating.
Limitations of This Estimate
The calculator treats the furniture or wall as one flat surface and the art as one block, so it cannot account for sloped ceilings, shelves, switches or radiators. For a gallery wall of mixed sizes, use the total width and height of the whole arrangement as the single block.
Mirrors and very heavy pieces may need to hang lower and be fixed to a stud or with wall anchors. Always check the weight rating on the fixing.
Frequently Asked Questions
About two-thirds the width of the sofa; anything from 57% to 75% looks right. For an 84-inch sofa, that's art (or a group of pieces) about 56 inches wide in total, within a range of 48 to 63 inches.
On an empty wall, hang art so its centre is 57 inches from the floor, the height galleries use. Above a sofa, bed or console, hang the bottom of the frame 8 to 10 inches above the furniture.
2 to 4 inches apart, with 3 inches being the most common. Treat the three pieces as one large piece when you work out the height and centre the group over your furniture.
A queen bed with its frame is about 64 inches wide, so aim for art about 43 inches wide in total (36 to 48 inches). Hang it 8 to 10 inches above the top of the headboard.
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Finish the room by choosing a rug that anchors the furniture below your art.
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