How to Size Art for Your Space

Are you an art collector looking for the perfect way to size your art for your home? Well, you've come to the right place! In this blog post, I'll be sharing some easy and creative tips on how to size art for your home.

First things first, let's talk about why size matters when it comes to art. The size of your artwork can have a big impact on the overall look and feel of your space. A large piece of art can be a statement piece that draws the eye and sets the tone for the room, while a smaller piece can add a subtle touch of color or texture. So, it's important to consider the size of your art before you start hanging it on your walls.

Here are some easy tips for sizing art in your home:

‘A Flowery Dream’ 120cm x 100cm Available at Mist Gallery

Consider the size of the wall

When selecting art for your home, it's important to consider the size of the wall where it will be hung. A small piece of art on a large wall can look lost, while a large piece of art on a small wall can be overwhelming. So, take a look at the wall you want to hang your art on and measure the space to determine what size art will work best.

When choosing wall art for an empty wall, it's recommended that the art should occupy 60-75% of the available wall space not covered by furniture or moldings. To determine the ideal canvas size range, measure the wall's height and width and multiply each by 0.6 and 0.75. For example, for a 2.7m by 1.5m wall, the ideal canvas height range would be 1.6m-2m and the ideal width range would be 90cm - 110cm.

‘From the Ashes’ 1.5m x 1m artwork by Megan Cochran

‘Window to the Soul’ Artwork by Megan Cochran commissioned for Wild Rabbit Interiors 1.5m x 1.8m

Use a mock-up tool

If you're having trouble visualising what size art will look best in your space, try using a mock-up tool. There are plenty of online tools and apps available that allow you to upload a photo of your room and then add virtual art to the walls. This can be a great way to experiment with different sizes and styles of art before you make a purchase. I personally like to use Smartist and Photoshop.

‘Underworld Rockpools’ 120cm x 100cm Available at Mist Gallery Image using Smartist

Create a gallery wall

A gallery wall is a great way to showcase a collection of art in different sizes and styles. When creating a gallery wall, start with a larger piece of art as the focal point and then add smaller pieces around it. You can also mix and match different sizes and styles of frames to create a more eclectic look.

‘A Flowery Dream’ 120cm x 100cm and Rockpools of Hastings 1 & 2 50cm x 50cm Available at Mist Gallery

Think about the furniture

When hanging art above furniture, it's important to consider the size of the furniture as well. A large piece of art above a small sofa can look unbalanced, while a small piece of art above a large bed can look lost. So, take the size of your furniture into consideration when selecting the size of your art. Squares or a diptych (set of 2) can be a great solution for art above furniture as it can create more bang for your buck by spreading out surface area the art occupies. They can also be arranged closer or further apart to suit.

‘Banksias at Dawn’ 60cm x 60cm available at Mist Gallery, photo by Coastal Haven Property Styling

Don't forget the frame

Finally, don't forget to consider the size of the frame when selecting art for your home. A large frame can make a small piece of art look more substantial, while a small frame can make a large piece of art look more delicate. So, think about the frame as part of the overall size of your artwork. I personally love timber float frames as they offer so much versatility by going with practically everything. The species of timber I like to use is Vic Ash or Tassie Oak as these mid tone timbers can adapt to work with light and dark timbers.

‘Tell the Ocean’ 100cm x 150cm available at Mist Gallery

‘Tell the Ocean’ 100cm x 150cm available at Mist Gallery

Hang at Eye-level
Hanging artwork at eye-level helps create symmetry and allows the viewer to appreciate it more easily. As a general measurement the centre of the artwork should be between 1400-1500mm off the floor.

Ask me!
I am always here for you if you have any questions regarding the best size for a space. Determining the perfect size is also part of the service I offer in the commission process. I also have over 10 years experience in architecture and interior design so I am very comfortable with understanding spaces and would love to help you if you need. Just reach out.

Don’t fret if you have seen a piece of art you absolutely love but it is the wrong size. Prints and commissions are the best way to tailor the art to you space as they are customisable, however if an original art work just won’t work for your space there may just be some creative solutions you hadn’t thought of. This could include finding a secondary complimentary piece to fill out the space or considering a new furniture layout.

Happy art collecting!