Art size guide

Choosing the right size makes all the difference. Here's how I'd size and hang my originals and my prints in your home. My square pieces come in approx 50, 75, 105 and 150cm framed, plus panoramas.

Luminous Depths by Jo Carroll, a large turquoise and blue original painting on a white feature wall above a low timber console

Luminous Depths, 123cm x 153cm, original

The general rules

Diagram of the two-thirds rule: a painting about 2/3 the width of the sofa, hung 15 to 25cm above it

  • Use the two-thirds rule: aim for art about two thirds the width of the wall, or the furniture beneath it.
  • When in doubt, size up. Art that's too small looks lost.
  • On a bare wall, hang the centre of the art about 145 to 155cm from the floor. Above furniture, leave a 15 to 25cm gap between the furniture and the bottom of the frame.
  • For groups, keep a steady 5 to 10cm gap between pieces and measure the whole group as one piece.
  • Think about viewing distance. Roughly 1.2m for a 50, 2m for a 75, 2.5 to 3m for a 105 and 3.5 to 4m for a 150.
  • For colour, pick up one tone from the room rather than matching everything. Calmer colours suit bedrooms and studies.
  • Keep the light soft and even, and hang art out of direct sun.

Couches

  • Aim for art about two thirds of the couch width, with a 15 to 25cm gap above the back.
  • 180cm couch: a 105cm square or a panorama about 120cm wide.
  • 200 to 220cm couch: a pair of 75s.
  • 240cm couch: three 50s or a wider panorama.
  • A 150cm square over a couch needs a ceiling of about 2.7m or more.

Beds

  • Go for about two thirds of the bedhead width, 15 to 25cm above it, and never wider than the bed.
  • Single: 50cm. Double: 75cm or a pair of 50s. Queen (153cm): 105cm or a pair of 50s. King (183cm): 105cm or a panorama.
  • On a 2.4m ceiling with a tall bedhead, a 105 can hit the ceiling, so a 75 or a pair of 50s is safer.

Sideboards and mantels

  • Sideboards and consoles: two thirds to three quarters of the width, 15 to 25cm above. Console: 75cm. 150 to 180cm sideboard: 105cm. 200cm+ buffet: a pair of 75s.
  • Mantels: about two thirds of the shelf, 10 to 20cm above, or 30cm+ if you use the fire. Modern mantel: 75cm. Big period mantel with 3m ceilings: 105cm, or lean a 150.

Dining

  • Hang a little lower, centred about 135 to 145cm, because you look at it sitting down.
  • Go for two thirds of the table length: 75 or 105cm for a 4-seater, 105cm or a panorama for a 6-seater, a pair of 75s for an 8-seater.

Blank and feature walls

  • Choose one statement piece about two thirds of the usable wall width.
  • 1.2m wall: 75cm. 1.5m: 105cm. 2 to 2.4m: 150cm or a pair of 75s. 3m+: a pair of 105s or a long panorama.

Hallways and stairs

  • In narrow halls you stand close, so put 50cm squares on the side walls and the bigger piece (75 or 105) on the end wall.
  • On stairs, run the pieces along a line parallel to the handrail, about 145cm above each step, keeping each one level.

High ceilings and leaning

  • In Victorian and Edwardian homes with 3m+ ceilings, go bigger rather than higher: a 150cm square, or two 75s or 105s stacked.
  • Leaning works well for the big ones: a 105 or 150 on the floor (tethered if you have kids or pets), or a 75 or 105 on a sideboard.
  • Kitchens and bathrooms: keep my originals out of bathrooms and away from the cooktop. Framed prints are the safer bet there.

Still not sure? Email a photo of your wall to art@jocarroll.com.au and I'll send back a free mock-up.