How to know what art size for your space

Aly Jensen • August 18, 2020

Finding the perfect piece can be hard when you have a really small, or really large space—but once you find it the whole room is made!

The first step is always to measure the space you want to fill; edge to edge and top to bottom. I often forget to measure top to bottom and this really matters for making sure it isn’t going to be at a weird height over the back of the couch, over your bed, on your coffee table, etc.


Artwork sized 2/3 the length of the furniture below

Next, look at your surroundings and see what kind of a color palette or feel you are going for. We can help you with this part if you’re unsure what would look best with the colors you are already using in your space—just send us a message and a picture of your space! Or maybe you want to redo the room around the piece. Think about how you want the room to feel. Comfortable? Empowering? Soothing? Bold? Here's a few ideas for discovering your personal art taste along with thinking about how your art collection reflects who you are.

When hanging artwork, the center should be at eye level—approximately 60

There is this unwritten rule that you have to have small pieces if your space is tiny; that if you put a big piece on the wall you are making the space feel smaller. This is not true at all. If you get the right piece for your space and it adds to the aesthetic feel, rather than takes away from it, you’ve made the right decision. It can almost feel like a window into another world, right there in your living room!

Example of larger pieces on a smaller wall, artwork by Allison James

The opposite is also true with this unwritten rule—that you cannot decorate with smaller pieces if you have a huge space to fill. This is also not true! Gallery walls are always a good idea, and that way you can include a little bit of everything you love!

Example of smaller pieces together to make a gallery wall, styled by Liz Lidgett

And, finally, after evaluating your wall size and how you want the room to feel, you find an art piece that you love! I know this sounds so much easier than it is to just pick one. But knowing the dimensions you have to work with and the feel you want to communicate in the room, it's a lot easier to narrow down the options. And, as always, we're happy to help—let us know your dimensions, aesthetic and budget and we'll put together a few ideas for a starting point. And, sometimes, it's fun to just break the rules ...

Aly Jensen, author
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