Large Canvas Wall Art: A Sizing and Layout Guide for Living Rooms and Bedrooms
Which size counts as large, how do you size art to a sofa or bed, and how do you arrange pairs and trios? A practical guide to choosing and hanging large canvas prints.
By Frame Atölye
A wide living room wall, a long sofa or an empty space above the bed: on walls like these a small print gets lost and the wall still looks bare. The answer is large canvas wall art sized to the wall, or a set of prints that reads as one large piece. In this guide we explain which size counts as large, how to size art to your wall and furniture, how to arrange pairs and trios, and what to watch for when hanging.
What size counts as a large canvas print?
Our largest canvas size is 50x70 cm. Our designs are portrait, so a 50x70 cm canvas is 50 cm wide and 70 cm tall. This size:
- is roughly the size of three A3 sheets,
- becomes a focal point on its own above a console, a chest of drawers or on a narrow wall,
- fills 1 to 1.6 metres of wall when hung as a pair or trio.
So you don't need one giant print for a big wall: hanging several 50x70 cm canvases with the right spacing gives the same impact, often with a more balanced look.
Sizing to the wall and furniture: the two-thirds rule
The rule interior designers use most: the total width of the artwork or group should be about two thirds the width of the furniture below it. Allowing 5–8 cm between prints:
- 80 cm console or chest of drawers: One 50x70 cm canvas (50 cm wide).
- 160 cm bed: Two 50x70 cm canvases side by side (about 106 cm).
- 180–200 cm sofa: One 50x70 cm in the middle with a 30x40 cm canvas on each side (about 122 cm), or two 50x70 cm side by side.
- 240 cm+ corner sofa or wide wall: Three 50x70 cm canvases side by side (about 162 cm).
On an empty wall without furniture, aim for a composition covering about half to two thirds of the wall's width. For every size, see our artwork size guide.
One large print or a set?
A single piece: simple and strong
A single 50x70 cm canvas is the simplest solution for consoles, the end of a hallway, stair landings and narrow walls. Choose a strong image: landscapes, portraits and bold typography work best on their own.
- Mount Fuji Japanese Vintage Landscape: a peaceful landscape for living rooms and bedrooms.
- Vintage Living Room Illustration: warm colours that anchor a living room.
- Samurai Silhouette Red Sun: a striking design for offices and studies.
- Atatürk Portrait with Fur Hat: a dignified portrait for living rooms and executive offices.
A pair: balanced and symmetrical
Two 50x70 cm canvases side by side is the most balanced layout above a bed or a standard sofa. Choose two designs that complement each other and the wall reads as one large artwork:
- Japanese Crane and Cherry Blossom + Japanese Style Mount Fuji and Clouds
- Sea Life Blue Panel Grid + Watercolour Sea Life Illustration
- What If It All Works Out Star + What If It All Works Out Typography
- Tennis Club Retro Typography + Tennis Club Retro Typography (2)
A trio: the answer for wide walls
For long sofas, corner sofas and wide living room walls, three canvases can work together. Two layouts stand out:
- Three equal pieces: Three 50x70 cm canvases side by side, three designs from the same theme, with equal gaps.
- A large centre: One 50x70 cm in the middle with a 30x40 cm on each side, all centred on the same horizontal line.
To combine even more pieces, see our gallery wall guide.
How to hang a large canvas print
- Height: The centre of the artwork or set should be about 145–150 cm above the floor.
- Above furniture: Leave 20–25 cm between the top of the sofa or headboard and the bottom of the artwork.
- Spacing: Leave 5–8 cm between prints in a set and keep all gaps equal.
- Fixing: Canvas is light; one nail or screw per print is enough. Use suitable anchors on plasterboard walls.
- Test first: Cut paper templates the size of your prints, tape them to the wall and drill only once you are happy with the layout.
Choosing colours and designs for large prints
- Large surface, calm design: Detail becomes very visible at large sizes. On wide walls, landscapes, drawings and simple compositions are easy on the eye.
- Repeat colours: A colour from the artwork repeated in a cushion, rug or curtain ties the room together.
- A shared theme for sets: Choose designs from the same series or colour family.
For ideas by style, read our canvas print styles guide, and for the details of canvas, our what is a canvas print guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big should a large canvas print be?
The artwork or group should be about two thirds the width of the furniture below it. Two 50x70 cm canvases suit a 160 cm bed; one 50x70 cm with a 30x40 cm on each side suits a 200 cm sofa.
How big is a 50x70 canvas print?
50x70 cm is roughly the size of three A3 sheets. Hung portrait, it is 50 cm wide and 70 cm tall, and becomes a focal point on its own above a console or on a narrow wall.
One large print or several above the sofa?
On standard and wide sofas a single 50x70 cm canvas can look small. A pair or trio fills about two thirds of the sofa's width for a more balanced look.
How do you hang a large canvas print?
Our canvas prints come with a hanger. Mark the spot so the centre sits about 145–150 cm above the floor and hang it on a single nail or screw; use anchors on plasterboard walls.
Explore every design in our canvas print collection.
