Guide
What size poster? A true-scale guide for your wall
The most common mistake with wall art is going too small. Here's how to pick a size that looks intentional, and how to check it before you buy.
The two-thirds rule
Art over furniture looks best at about two-thirds to three-quarters of the furniture's width. Over an 84 in sofa that's a piece (or a set) 56–63 in wide. One poster rarely gets there, which is why pairs and trios work so well over sofas and beds.
Sizes at a glance
| Size | Works best |
|---|---|
| 12×18 in | Desks, shelves, hallways, bathrooms, gallery walls |
| 16×24 in | Above a dresser or nightstand; pairs and trios over a sofa or bed |
| 20×30 in | Above a console, loveseat or headboard; a pair over a large sofa |
| 24×36 in | A single statement piece above a sofa, bed or sideboard |
Pairs and trios
Leave 2–3 inches between frames. A trio of 16×24s with 3 in gaps is 54 in wide, right for a 72–84 in sofa. A pair of 20×30s is about 43 in wide. In DT Posters the prints in a set share a palette and look but each has its own composition, so they read as a family rather than copies.
How high to hang
Galleries hang the centre of a picture about 57–60 in from the floor. Over furniture, leave 6–10 in between the top of the sofa or headboard and the bottom of the frame.
See it before you buy
The studio puts your design on photographed walls at true scale, so 12×18 looks small and 24×36 looks big, the way they will in your room. Room photos are scaled from typical furniture sizes, so treat it as a close guide and measure your own wall for the final call.
Questions
What size poster goes above a sofa?
A 24×36 in single, or a pair or trio of 16×24 or 20×30 prints, so the art spans about two-thirds of the sofa.
How far apart should I hang a pair or trio?
Two to three inches between frames.
How high should I hang a poster?
Centre it about 57–60 in from the floor, or 6–10 in above the furniture beneath it.
Make one that's yours
Pick a style, play until it feels right, and see it on a wall at true size. It takes a minute.
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