Article Updated: March 3, 2026

Choosing the right size wall art can feel surprisingly difficult. Too small and it looks lost on the wall. Too large and it can overwhelm the space.

The good news is that there is a simple guideline that works in most homes.

Whether you’re hanging a portrait above a couch, bed, or crib, understanding the right scale makes all the difference. At Crabapple Photography, I also help families design portrait wall art and photo products that fit beautifully in their homes.

The Simple Rule For Choosing Wall Art Size

The simple rule below acts as an easy wall art size guide when choosing artwork for your home.

A simple rule designers often use is the 60–80% rule. This means your wall art should be about 60–80% of the width of the furniture beneath it. Smaller prints often disappear visually once hung.

When it comes time to display artwork in your home, there are a few things to consider. The first question is where you would like to hang your portraits. Your family room, above a fireplace, in a nursery or playroom, the options are endless. Once you’ve decided where the portraits will live, you can choose the style you prefer, such as framed artwork, a gallery wrap canvas, a framed canvas or luxe wood mounted art. From there, the next step is deciding what size wall art will work best for your space. Below is an example showing how different portrait sizes look above various furniture.

Above is a helpful example showing how different portrait sizes look above a couch. Check out our Custom Wall Art Pinterest board for more ideas.

Choosing Sizes For a Wall Gallery

While a single portrait above a couch, bed, or mantle is a great starting point, another option is creating a wall gallery. A gallery wall allows you to display multiple portraits together and can be designed to fit many different spaces and styles. When designing a gallery wall, it’s helpful to think about the overall shape and size of the arrangement.

Below are some examples of gallery wall layouts. Some families choose a simple arrangement of three portraits, while others create a larger collection of images. I am always happy to help design a gallery that works beautifully in your home.

You can read more about creating a wall gallery in this post.

Let Us Help You Choose The Right Size

Choosing wall art can feel a bit overwhelming, and the truth is there are no absolute rules. While the 60–80% guideline is a great starting point, every home and wall space is different. That is where I can help.

Using the magic of technology, I can create a digital wall art mock-up for you. Simply take a photo of your wall straight on with a piece of printer paper taped to it for scale. Then, using that photo and the images from your session, I create a preview showing how different portrait sizes would look in your space.

I can even walk you through everything on a video call so you can see the options together. If you are unsure which wall might work best, just let me know. I am always happy to help.

Still Not Sure?

Below are examples of the same room using the same portrait in different sizes and arrangements. When artwork is too small or placed incorrectly, it can feel disconnected from the furniture and the space around it. When the size and placement are right, the portraits feel balanced and naturally anchor the room.

The wall art on the left is too small and hung too high above the couch. The artwork on the right is properly sized and better balanced for the space.

On the left, the prints are too small for the space, hung too high, and not centered on the wall. On the right, they are properly sized and fill the space in a balanced, visually pleasing way.

While the framed print on the left is placed at the correct height, it does not fill the space as well as the one on the right.

In this case, the prints on the right fill the space above the crib nicely without overwhelming the wall.

Are you looking for a professional portrait photographer North of Boston? Crabapple Photography is located in Andover, MA and serves families throughout the Greater Boston area, including Andover, North Andover, Reading, Winchester, and Lexington. Photographer Kate McKenna has been photographing babies, children, and families professionally since 2009. She specializes in creating beautiful custom artwork and guides clients through the entire process, from planning your session to designing custom prints and products for your home. Contact Kate today to start planning your portrait session.