What Size Canvas Above a Sofa? A Simple UK Size Guide

The right canvas above a sofa should be about two-thirds the width of the sofa. Too small and it looks lost; too big and it crowds the room. Here is how to get it right first time.

The two-thirds rule

Measure your sofa from arm to arm, then multiply by two-thirds. That is the ideal width for your canvas, or for a set of canvases including the gaps between them.

For example, a 210 cm sofa × 2/3 = 140 cm of art.

Which size fits your sofa?

If you are between two sizes, go bigger. Art almost always looks smaller once it is on the wall.

How high to hang it

Leave a gap of 15–25 cm between the top of the sofa back and the bottom of the canvas. This keeps the canvas and sofa reading as one group. Any higher and the art floats away from the furniture.

Our guide on how to hang a canvas covers fixings and getting it level.

One large canvas or a set?

• One large canvas: the boldest look, and the easiest to hang. Best for abstract art, landscapes and calligraphy.
• A 3-panel set (triptych): fills a wide wall above a long or corner sofa. Leave 5–8 cm between panels.
• Two matching canvases: suit a sofa between two windows or a room with a strong centre line.

Landscape, portrait or square?

Above a sofa, landscape (wide) canvases work best because they follow the shape of the sofa. Square canvases suit smaller sofas and chairs. Portrait canvases work in pairs, side by side.

Quick tip: test it first

Cut a sheet of paper or cardboard to the canvas size and tape it to the wall. Live with it for a day. It is the easiest way to be sure before you order.

Find your canvas

Browse our abstract canvas art, marble wall art and Islamic canvases. Most designs come in every size from 12 x 8 to 60 x 38 inches, in a slim 18 mm or deep 38 mm gallery frame, with free UK delivery on orders over £100.