The most common wall art mistake in American living rooms is art that is too small for the sofa below it. Here is a simple way to get the size and height right the first time.
The two-thirds rule
Your art, or group of art, should be about two-thirds the width of your sofa. Measure the sofa from arm to arm, multiply by 0.66, and that is your target width. Slightly smaller (around 60%) still looks good; much smaller makes the art look lost.
How high to hang it
- Leave 8 to 10 inches between the top of the sofa back and the bottom of the frame.
- On an empty wall, center the art at 57 to 60 inches from the floor.
- With high ceilings, it is fine to go a little higher, but keep the art visually connected to the sofa.
Size chart by sofa width
| Sofa width | Target art width | Good option |
|---|---|---|
| 60 in (loveseat) | about 40 in | One 24x36 in horizontal, or two 18x24 in |
| 72 in | about 48 in | Two 18x24 in side by side, or one 24x36 in plus space |
| 84 in | about 56 in | Two 24x36 in vertical pieces, or three 18x24 in |
| 96 in and up | about 64 in | Two 24x36 in horizontal, or a gallery grid |
Our largest framed canvas is 24x36 in. For wider sofas, pairs and trios hung 2 to 3 inches apart read as one piece.
One large piece, a pair or a gallery wall?
- One large piece is the calmest choice and suits most farmhouse living rooms. Try a horizontal landscape from our large horizontal wall art.
- A pair adds symmetry, perfect over a long sofa or a sideboard.
- A gallery wall is more personal and collected. See our gallery wall layouts.
Quick tips before you drill
- Cut paper templates the size of each canvas and tape them up first.
- Step back to the doorway: the art should be the first thing you notice.
- Match frame finishes to something else in the room, like a coffee table or lamp.
Pieces that work well above a sofa: Lone Rider, Green Pasture Flock and Desert Caravan. Or browse all farmhouse living room wall art.