Artworks (above): "Inhale" Framed Print & "Exhale" Framed Print

Unsure what size art to get?

You're not alone! I'm often asked this and more, so I put together this guide to help eliminate the guessing game.

Size Guide Recommendations

• 8 x 10” is great for small nooks, shelves, or gallery walls 
• 16 x 20” to 20 x 30” works well in pairs, on narrow walls or above small furniture
• 24 x 36” to 30 x 40” works well in pairs above furniture that’s 60-80” wide like a bed, sofa, credenza or focal wall 
• 36 x 48” to 40 x 60” is best for large walls and high ceilings

💡 Keep in mind: A mat creates more white space around the art and gives an elevated, polished look. A 2" mat and frame will add around 4" in height and width to the final size. For example, an 18x24" print will end up being around 22x28" once framed with a mat. Matting for my framed prints is available for art prints up to 24x36". 

💡 For pairing works: If you're putting 2 or 3 artworks side by side, it's best to leave 4-8" of space between them on the wall. The amount of space you choose comes down to your preference and what looks or feels the best.

Think about your space

A good rule of thumb is that bigger is usually better. It never looks bad to have an oversized artwork in a small room, but a small artwork can look lost on a big, empty wall. If you need a print larger than what you see in my shop, I can do that! Just shoot me an email for a custom quote.

Measure twice, order once

Once you have an idea of the size you want, I recommend taking painter's tape and masking out the overall size (remember to include the mat and frame measurements) on the wall to get a sense for the actual size before you place your order. I know what you're thinking...that's A LOT of work. But it takes 10 minutes at most and is so worth it. It will give you confidence in placing your order and save you from making a mistake that could cost you more money or frustration.

Hanging over furniture

Thinking about putting artwork above a sofa, bed, credenza, or mantle? Whether you go with 1, 2, or multiple art prints, a good rule to follow is that your artwork should be about 2/3 the width of the furniture it's going above. If the art takes up the same width as the furniture, it can feel too big or heavy-handed in the space.

Measure the space between your ceiling and the piece of furniture to determine the overall height of your art, which will then determine the width. The art should have at least 1 foot of empty space between your ceiling and the art, and the art and your furniture. Here are some size recommendations for the most common scenarios:

Art sizes for above your sofa

The suggestions shown below are based on a 96" wide sofa. If your sofa is more in the 60" - 84" wide range, you can refer to the Queen Bed and King Bed art size suggestions below.

Above: Letting It Go and Taking It In, 18x24" prints, photo by Lorena Almeda

Art sizes for above a Queen bed

The suggestions shown below are based on a standard Queen-size bed, which is 60" wide. Sizes like 36x24" or 40x28" work great for a single artwork. For pairing 2 prints together, sizes that are 18" or 16" wide look great with a mat and frame. For 3 artworks, either 8" or 10" wide prints look best with a mat and frame.

Above: We Are Many, 28x42" custom print, photo by Jason Kim

Art sizes for shelves, hallways, gallery walls, and nooks

Prints from 8x10" up to 18x24" look the best in small spaces. You can always increase the size of the mat to fill up more wall space, if needed. For hallways and narrow walls, you have quite a few options! You could stack 2-3 prints vertically or hang them side-by-side horizontally. You could also offset them on the wall so they aren't perfectly lined up.

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Now that you've gained more knowledge than you ever cared to know about the sizing of art, I hope this helps make your decision much easier so you can move on with your life. 🤸🏻