Wall Art Size Guide for Prints and Photo Canvas

Fill your walls with memories! As a Boston portrait photographer, I love when clients send me pictures of their walls filled with photo art from our portrait session (see ex. below). Often, they ask me for assistance with choosing the correct print sizes for their specific wall space. Their questions inspired me to create this page. I hope these three steps along with the visuals will help you simplify your choices!

1. Decide where to display new artwork

Selecting your favorite portraits to turn into wall art is the first step. Next, you must decide where they will be displayed in your home. Here's an example, one of my clients purchased three vertical 16x20 photo canvases to feature above their living room fireplace. Before you start shopping, decide what your goal is;

• To fill an entire wall and create a "WOW" factor
• To add a new print to your existing wall

family photos on canvasphoto captured by a client

2. Compare print sizes

This wall art size comparison gives you a good visual of common print sizes for wall canvas and framed photo prints. The couch is approximately six feet long. Start visualizing what print sizes work best for the wall space in home.

jennifer laroche photography print size comparison

3. Create print size wall mockups 

• Measure the wall height and width of your display space. As a rule of thumb, artwork hung over furniture should not be wider than the furniture.
• Measure and cut cardboard or paper into print size mockups. Label each one with the name of the picture.
• Tape the mockups onto the wall in a symmetrical or asymmetrical pattern. Normal spacing is 3" to 6" in-between each piece.
  • Keep the bottom of the print(s) 6" to 12" above a sofa, mantel or shelf to create enough empty visual space for other art or decorations. Also, if artwork is hung above a sofa, try to keep the center of the art at eye level - this tip might help confirm if the print size is right for your space.
• Step back and take a look at your mockups. Decide if they are too big or too small for the wall space and adjust the sizes as needed. Happy shopping!!

Hallway-Canvases

Visit my 5 Tips for Hanging Wall Art blog post for more visual inspiration and wall picture examples.