Finding the Right Sized Wall Art for Your Space

A blank wall can be a beautiful empty canvas. When it's done correctly, art is a great way to enhance a space. How do you know what size pieces to get? Would a horizontal or a vertical orientation be better? Take a look at the following tips for choosing the perfectly proportioned art for your walls.

Account for Furnishings

A good rule of thumb is that it's okay to cover 2/3 to ¾ of a wall with art. You can accomplish this in a couple different ways. Hanging one or two bold prints will create a statement that draws the eye directly to your art. It also sets a more sophisticated, formal tone. Alternatively, you can choose to do some kind of gallery wall. A common rule of thumb for this type of wall art situation is to group items in either threes or fives. Keep things unified through spacing while getting creative with frames and color. Gallery walls are fun to create and add a lot of personality to a space. Another important element to take into account is hanging height. Hanging pieces too high is a common mistake. There are always extra things to consider, but a general measurement to go on would be 5 to 8 inches above the top of your couch or headboard.

Scale of the Art

Finding the correct sizing for your artwork requires a small amount of math. It's important to measure your space before you determine appropriate art sizes. If your pieces are too big they can overwhelm the space. If they're too small, it can throw off the whole room making everything seem off balance. To ensure this doesn't happen, first measure the wall space you're planning to occupy. Once you have that number, multiply it by .57. This will give you the rough dimensions of your potential artwork. You can also measure pieces you already have to see if they will work well in the space. This method can save you both time and unnecessary holes in your wall.

Which Orientation?

Another factor to consider in terms of size is whether or not a horizontal or vertical piece will work best in your space. This involves the good old fashioned technique of eyeballing it. You just need a little imagination. Eyeball whether or not your piece will work where you want it to. Keep in mind that horizontal pieces take up more space visually. They are ideal for larger areas. Vertical art is a great way to fill up a smaller space without it feeling overcrowded. If you're having problems visualizing the way it will look, mark the spots on your wall with painters tape. Take pictures and compare! This will help make the decision a little easier.

Wall art has the ability to enhance a room with style and beauty. Finding pieces that check all the boxes of appropriate scale, size and orientation will help elevate your space.