How to Size Wall Art Like an Interior Designer. The Australian Guide - FRAMZE
Share
TL;DR — The standard rule: wall art should measure 60–75% of the width of the furniture beneath it, hung with its centre at 152cm from the floor. But at FRAMZE, we think great art deserves more wall than that. Read on for the rules — and exactly when to break them.
Choosing the wrong size wall art is one of the most common decorating mistakes in Australian homes. A piece too small gets lost. A piece hung too high floats disconnected from the room. Get the size and placement right and something remarkable happens — the whole room clicks into place.
This guide covers the exact sizing formulas interior designers use, room by room. And at the end, the FRAMZE Edit — where we respectfully suggest you throw some of the rules out entirely.
What size wall art should I choose?
The answer depends on the furniture beneath it. Interior designers use the two-thirds rule as their starting point: artwork should measure approximately 60–75% of the width of the furniture it hangs above. This applies to sofas, beds, dining tables and console tables.
If your sofa is 210cm wide, your artwork should be approximately 130–160cm wide. If your bed is 180cm wide (king size), your artwork should be approximately 110–135cm wide.
This ratio ensures your artwork anchors the furniture beneath it without overpowering the wall.
How big should wall art be above a sofa in Australia?
The living room is where most Australians spend the most time — and where wall art makes the biggest impact.
The rule: Artwork width should equal 60–75% of your sofa width.
| Sofa Size | Recommended Artwork Width |
|---|---|
| 180cm (2.5 seater) | 110–135cm |
| 210cm (3 seater) | 130–160cm |
| 240cm (3.5 seater) | 145–180cm |
| 300cm+ (extra large) | Consider two complementary oversized pieces side by side |
Hanging height: The bottom edge of your artwork should sit 15–25cm above the sofa back. This visually connects the art to the furniture beneath it.
For extra large sofas over 280–300cm, rather than searching for a single piece wider than 200cm, consider hanging two complementary oversized pieces side by side. A deliberate gap of 8–12cm between them creates a curated, gallery-style look that often feels more considered than a single enormous canvas. Choose pieces from the same FRAMZE collection to ensure tonal and stylistic harmony.
Pro tip: In Australian open-plan homes, a single oversized statement canvas almost always outperforms a gallery wall. One powerful piece creates a cleaner focal point and works beautifully with the wide, light-filled spaces common in modern Australian interiors.
What size wall art suits a bedroom?
The bedroom calls for art that feels calm, considered and proportionate to the bed.
The rule: Artwork should measure 60–75% of the bed width.
| Bed Size | Recommended Artwork Width |
|---|---|
| Single (92cm) | 55–70cm |
| Double (138cm) | 83–104cm |
| Queen (153cm) | 92–115cm |
| King (183cm) | 110–137cm |
Hanging height: Position artwork 15–20cm above the headboard. This creates a visual connection between the bed and the art without the piece feeling like it's floating away from the room.
What size wall art works in a hallway?
Hallways are one of the most underutilised spaces in Australian homes — and one of the most rewarding to get right.
The rule: Without furniture to anchor against, use the 152cm gallery rule — hang artwork so its centre sits 152cm from the floor. This aligns with natural eye level and is the standard used in galleries and museums worldwide.
For narrow hallways, vertical artwork or portrait orientation works best. It draws the eye upward, makes the space feel taller, and creates drama in what is often a forgotten part of the home.
| Hallway Width | Recommended Artwork Width |
|---|---|
| Narrow (under 90cm) | 40–60cm |
| Standard (90–120cm) | 60–90cm |
| Wide entryway (120cm+) | 90cm+ or a curated series of pieces |
How high should I hang wall art in Australia?
The universal rule: hang artwork so its centre sits 152cm from the floor.
This is the standard used by galleries, museums and interior designers globally. It positions artwork at natural eye level, creating a comfortable and balanced viewing experience.
The exception: When artwork hangs above furniture, the proximity rule overrides the 152cm rule. In this case, hang the bottom edge of the artwork 15–25cm above the furniture piece beneath it, regardless of where that puts the centre.
How to calculate your hanging height:
- Measure the total height of your artwork
- Divide by two to find the centre point
- Mark 152cm up from the floor (or 15–25cm above your furniture)
- Adjust your hook or hanging hardware to align with that point
The FRAMZE Edit — hold my champagne 🥂
Here's where we respectfully part ways with the rulebook.
On the 60–75% sofa rule: We say go bigger. A canvas that runs 85–100% of your sofa width makes a statement. It commands the room. In a modern Australian open-plan living space, timid art disappears. FRAMZE pieces are designed to own the wall — so let them.
On the 152cm hanging rule: Lower is often better. Dropping your artwork 10–15cm below the standard gallery height brings it into conversation with the room rather than presiding over it. Especially for large statement pieces, a slightly lower hang feels more intimate, more considered, more lived-in.
On "don't go wider than the furniture": This rule exists to prevent imbalance — but in a room with high ceilings and wide walls, artwork that extends beyond the sofa can look intentional and extraordinary. The key is confidence. If the piece is strong enough, it earns the space.
On the bedroom: Forget matching the bed width. One oversized vertical piece beside the bed — not above it — can transform a bedroom into something that feels genuinely curated.
Art is not interior design compliance. It is expression. The rules exist as a starting point — not a destination.
Shop the look
Ready to find your statement piece? Explore the FRAMZE collections:
- Abstract Wall Art — bold, textured, and built to own a wall
- Minimalist Wall Art — considered pieces for modern Australian interiors
- Landscape Wall Art — dramatic, oversized, and ready to hang
- Animal Wall Art — from native wildlife to safari portraits
- Portrait Wall Art — figurative art that commands attention
- Urban Wall Art — cinematic street art for spaces with an edge
All FRAMZE pieces are available as fine art prints, stretched canvas and framed canvas. Free delivery Australia-wide. Our largest pieces measure 102 x 152cm in portrait or landscape orientation and 140 x 140cm in square format.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard size for wall art above a sofa in Australia?
Interior designers recommend artwork that measures 60–75% of the sofa width. For a standard 210cm three-seater sofa, this means artwork approximately 130–160cm wide.
How high should wall art be hung above a sofa?
The bottom edge of the artwork should sit 15–25cm above the sofa back. This visually connects the artwork to the furniture beneath it.
What is the 152cm rule for hanging art?
The 152cm rule states that the centre of the artwork should sit 152cm from the floor — the standard eye level used by galleries and museums worldwide. When artwork hangs above furniture, the proximity rule (15–25cm above the furniture) takes priority.
Can wall art be wider than the sofa?
Traditional interior design advises against it, but in large open-plan spaces with high ceilings, artwork wider than the sofa can look intentional and dramatic. FRAMZE's view: if the piece is extraordinary enough, it earns the space.
What size wall art suits a king bed in Australia?
For a king bed (183cm wide), interior designers recommend artwork approximately 110–137cm wide, positioned 15–20cm above the headboard.
What size art works best in a hallway?
For a standard hallway, artwork 60–90cm wide works well. Vertical or portrait orientation suits narrow spaces, drawing the eye upward and making the hallway feel taller.
What is the largest size available at FRAMZE?
FRAMZE offers wall art up to 102 x 152cm in portrait or landscape orientation and 140 x 140cm in our square format, with free delivery Australia-wide. All pieces are available as fine art prints, stretched canvas and framed canvas.
What if my sofa is extra large?
For sofas over 280–300cm, consider hanging two complementary oversized pieces side by side with an 8–12cm gap between them. Choosing pieces from the same FRAMZE collection ensures tonal and stylistic harmony for a curated, gallery-style result.
