GUIDE
What size of painting fits my wall
Two thirds to three quarters of the wall width, or two thirds of the furniture width when furniture stands beneath.
Almost every painting bought too small failed on the same misjudgement: the wall looks bigger while you are measuring than it does afterwards. The rule corrects for that.
The key points from this guide at a glance.
The rule
Picture width equals two thirds to three quarters of the free wall width.
On a three-metre wall that gives 180 to 220 cm. It can be reached with one large format or a group of two or three works.
When furniture stands beneath
Then the furniture width counts, not the wall.
A sofa of 220 cm calls for about 150 cm of picture width. The wall beside it no longer matters.
A group instead of one painting
The spacing counts towards the total width.
Two paintings of 70 cm each with 8 cm between them make 148 cm. The group reads as one object.
When smaller is allowed
In alcoves, corridors and above doors.
Where the wall itself is narrow, apply the rule to the narrow side. A slim upright carries more there than a square that is too small.
The most common mistake
Bought too small, because the wall looks bigger while you measure.
A paper cut-out at the planned size taped to the wall answers the question in two minutes.
In short
Wall width times 0.7, then look for that in the available formats.
The catalogue runs from 30 × 20 cm to 200 × 100 cm.
Wall width · Picture width · As a group | 200 cm · 130–150 cm · 2 × 65 cm | 300 cm · 180–220 cm · 2 × 100 cm | 400 cm · 260–300 cm · 3 × 90 cm | Sofa 220 cm · approx. 150 cm · 2 × 70 cm
More: Hanging pictures · Large format · Living room · Guide
