How to Choose the Right Size Wall Art for Your Living Room (Complete Size Guide)

Choosing wall art for your living room is not just about style or colour. The size of your wall art plays a critical role in how the entire space feels.

Many homeowners search for “what size wall art should I choose for my living room” because their space feels unfinished — even after buying beautiful furniture. In most cases, the issue isn’t the artwork itself. It’s the size.

This living room wall art size guide will help you make confident choices — especially when selecting canvas wall art for modern homes.

1. The Most Common Mistake: Wall Art That’s Too Small

One of the biggest mistakes in modern living room wall decor is choosing artwork that’s too small for the wall. Small wall art placed above a large sofa often looks disconnected and weak.

A widely used interior styling rule is:

• Your wall art should cover around 60–75% of the width of the furniture below it.

For example:

• Sofa width: 200 cm

• Ideal wall art width: 120–150 cm

This guideline applies whether you’re choosing:

• A single large canvas wall art piece

• Or a multi-panel wall art set above the sofa

 

 

2. Best Wall Art Sizes for Living Rooms

If you’re wondering “how big should wall art be above a sofa”, use this simple reference:

• Above a sofa - Large horizontal canvas or a 2–3 panel artwork

• Large blank wall - Oversized wall art to anchor the space

• Small living room - Vertical wall art to visually increase height

In modern Australian homes, large canvas wall art for living rooms is increasingly popular because it creates a strong focal point without clutter.

 

3. One Large Canvas or Multiple Panels?

Many customers ask: “Is one large artwork better than multiple smaller ones?”

Here’s how to decide:

• One large canvas wall art → Clean, calm, modern look

• Two or three panel wall art → More movement, artistic rhythm

For minimalist or modern interiors, a single oversized canvas often creates a stronger visual impact.

 

            

4. Wall Art Placement: Height Matters

Choosing the right size is only half the job. Wall art placement in the living room matters just as much.

Interior designers often recommend:

• Centre of artwork: 145–155 cm from the floor

• Above furniture: 15–25 cm gap from the sofa

Hanging artwork too high is one of the most common styling mistakes in living rooms.

 

 

5. Large vs Small Wall Art: Which Should You Choose?

If you’re torn between two sizes, here’s a practical rule:

When in doubt, go bigger.

Most people regret choosing wall art that’s too small rather thantoo large.

Large wall art:

• Grounds the space

• Makes the room feel intentional

• Works especially well in open-plan living areas

 

 

6. Final Thoughts: Let the Space Decide

The best wall art size for a living room depends on:

• Wall width

• Furniture scale

• Ceiling height

• Desired visual impact

Instead of treating artwork as decoration, treat it as part of the architecture of your space.

✨ If you’re still unsure, explore our curated living room canvas art collection to find a size that fits your space with confidence.