When choosing canvas wall art, you need to consider its size. Even the most stunning painting can lose its charm if it doesn't fit the size of your space. Whether you prefer a single framed canvas or are aiming for a gallery wall, the size of your wall art can make or break your decor. Your wall art should be attractive, harmonious and balanced. Paintings that are too large can make the room feel crowded, while paintings that are too small can leave the space feeling empty and unfinished.
To help you choose the perfect sizes for your space, we've created a detailed guide to choosing wall art sizes. Make sure your art matches your decor and use our article to help you find the perfect wall art for your home.
Standard sizes of wall art
Finding the perfect wall art in the right size for your space is key. Let's start by making a list of the standard painting sizes that you will encounter when choosing. Remember that the art world is rich in variety, so shapes and sizes can vary. Also keep in mind that the frame may add a few extra inches to the overall width and height of the piece.
| Small sizes | Medium sizes | Big sizes | Oversized dimensions |
| 8″ x 10″ | 16″ x 20″ | 20″ x 28″ | 24″ x 36″ |
| 10″ x 12″ | 18″ x 22″ | 20″ x 30″ | 27″ x 40″ |
| 11″ x 14″ | 19″ x 23” | 21″ x 32″ | 28″ x 42″ |
| 12″ x 16″ | 20″ x 24″ | 22″ x 34″ | 30″ x 48″ |
| 13″ x 19″ | 22″ x 36″ | 36″ x 50″ (and up) |
Small painting sizes
From the world of art, wall miniatures bring their unique charm and sophistication. The standard sizes of these compact works of art usually range from:
- Width: 8 to 13 inches
- Height: 10 to 19 inches
Small paintings are ideal for creating small focal points in the interior. They can be amazingly detailed and are admired for their delicate workmanship even in such a small space. Your collection of small paintings can add coziness and intimacy to your home, creating a unique atmosphere of warmth and joy. Whether you are decorating a hallway, bedroom or work space, small paintings can help create a cozy and pleasant atmosphere in any room.
Advantages of small paintings:
✔ Space Saving: Small paintings are ideal for decorating small spaces such as hallways, bathrooms or small walls in the living room. They take up less space and can be conveniently placed in limited spaces.
✔ Versatility: Small paintings can be used as stand-alone pieces of art or as part of a larger gallery wall. They can be easily combined with other paintings, frames or decorative elements to create a unique interior.
✔ Affordability: Small paintings are often less expensive than larger works of art, making them accessible to a wide range of buyers.
Disadvantages of small paintings:
✖ Limited Detail: Due to their small size, small paintings may have limited detail and less expressive characteristics compared to larger works of art.
✖ Dissatisfaction with space: In large spaces, small paintings can get lost and look insignificant. They may not provide enough noticeable visual impact and may not match the scale of the interior.
✖ Limited Selection: Some artists may prefer to create larger pieces of art, so the selection of small paintings may be limited compared to larger paintings.
Medium painting sizes
Medium-sized art can add extra vibrancy and character to your interior. They provide the perfect balance between ample wall presence and small size, allowing them to be used as focal points in small spaces or as part of a gallery wall. Standard sizes include:
- Width: 16 to 20 inches
- Height: 20 to 24 inches
The benefits of using medium-sized art include the ability to attract attention and create a focal point in a room without overwhelming it. They can be the perfect compromise between large and small jobs, suitable for different spaces. In addition, such paintings can be perfectly combined with other decorative elements and furniture.
However, it is worth considering that medium-sized paintings can get lost on large walls and look somewhat inconspicuous. You also need to pay attention to the proportions of the art in relation to the rest of the space to avoid the impression of imbalance or overcrowding.
The benefits of using medium sized art include:
✔ Versatility: Medium paintings suit most spaces and can serve as a centerpiece or part of a gallery wall composition.
✔ Balance: They strike a good balance between ample wall presence and compact size, making them an ideal choice for small to medium-sized spaces.
✔ Compatibility: Medium paintings are easily combined with other decorative elements and furniture, which allows you to create harmonious interiors.
However, there are some disadvantages:
✖ Lack of visual power: On large walls, medium-sized paintings can get lost and not attract enough attention.
✖ Risk of imbalance: It is necessary to carefully select the proportions of the painting relative to the rest of the space to avoid the impression of imbalance or overload of the interior.
Large painting sizes
Large wall art is where the full power and impact of a piece of art on wide walls comes into play. While not every large painting is meant to cover an entire wall, their size range allows you to choose one large piece instead of many small and medium-sized paintings:
- Width: 20 to 22 inches
- Height: 28 to 36 inches
The benefits of using large paintings include:
✔ Impressive effect: Large paintings can become a powerful focal point in a room and attract attention immediately upon entry.
✔ Easy to Decorate: One large piece of art can fill a space and simplify the interior decorating process.
However, it is worth considering some disadvantages:
✖ Limited Options: Not every wall can accommodate a large painting, and this can limit placement options.
✖ High Cost: Large paintings are often more expensive than their smaller counterparts due to the greater amount of materials and time required to create them.
Oversized painting dimensions
Oversized or very large wall paintings are truly monumental works of art. They are the perfect choice when you want to fill or decorate a huge wall space with one powerful piece. They attract attention with their impressive size:
- Width: 24 inches and up
- Height: 36 inches and above
The benefits of using oversized paintings include:
✔ Majestic Look: These paintings can be a real focal point in a room and create an impressive effect due to their grand size.
✔ Uniqueness: Large paintings have a special character and can add personality and originality to the interior.
However, it is worth considering some disadvantages:
✖ Limited placement options: Not every wall is suitable for oversized paintings, which may limit your choice of placement.
✖ High Cost: Due to their size and the fact that they require more materials and time to create, oversized paintings are often more expensive.
How to choose the appropriate painting size
When choosing the right size painting for your space, the key is to strike a balance so as not to overwhelm the wall or make it look too empty. The visual weight of the work plays a decisive role here. Often your sense of beauty will guide you when it comes to what looks good and what doesn't, so trust your gut.
Need to fill a small vertical space between a window and a bookshelf? Several small paintings will do.
Do you have a large blank wall above the section? You can choose several large paintings or one huge, eye-catching abstraction.
A blank wall is like a blank canvas that can be decorated in different ways: you can use several pieces of different sizes to create a gallery atmosphere, or choose one large piece to fill the space in an impressive way.
When choosing small paintings
Small pieces of art do best in small spaces such as bathrooms, bedrooms or offices. While there are no hard and fast rules here, it is important to remember that hanging a miniature 8" x 10" print in the middle of the space above your sectional sofa may not have the intended effect.
Small paintings look ideal in pairs or groups, complementing each other and creating a modern collage or a light atmosphere. Here are some of our favorite ways to frame small paintings:
📌 Incorporating several pieces on a patchwork gallery wall to create an interesting and picturesque look.
📌 Creating a horizontal series of small prints that adds coziness and character to a space.
📌 Decorate bookshelves and small tables to add beauty and uniqueness to your interior.
📌 Mounted on cork boards, which will allow you not only to decorate the wall, but also to use it as a practical board for notes and reminders.
When choosing medium paintings
The medium paintings are the true chameleons of the art world. They're not too big to cover the entire wall, and not too small to go unnoticed. They fit perfectly into various spaces and complement them with artistic decoration.
Medium-sized paintings can become large enough to stand out as separate pieces without overwhelming the wall. Their choice depends on the specific space and your preferences.
Here are some guidelines on how to best use the middle paintings:
📌 Floor-to-Ceiling Art Installation: Place several medium-sized floor-to-ceiling paintings to create an impressive artistic ambiance in your home or office.
📌 Gallery Bookshelves: Decorate your gallery bookshelves with medium artwork to give them a cozy and stylish look.
📌 Hallways and Entries: Hang medium-sized paintings in hallways and entryways to add color and interest to these spaces and make them more inviting.
📌 Small Offices: Decorate your small office with medium-sized paintings to create an atmosphere of inspiration and creativity for you and your colleagues.
When choosing large and oversized paintings
If you need wall art ideas to fill a large space, consider large and oversized paintings - they can be a stunning addition to your interior. They have the ability to set the tone for the entire room and tie the color scheme of the space together in a cohesive way.
Here are some ways to integrate large items into your home decor and design:
📌 Single large piece of art above a sofa, bed or fireplace: Hanging a large piece of art above your centerpiece creates a strong focal point and adds elegance and style to the room.
📌 Art Gallery Walls in a Grid with Large Pieces Only: Create an impressive gallery wall by combining several large pieces of art in a grid to fill the space and add artistic character.
📌 Next to smaller prints to create an interesting contrast: Placing large works of art next to smaller prints can create an interesting contrast and add depth and movement to your interior.
So how big is too big? This is an individual choice, but it is recommended that large pieces of art hung above furniture take up one-half to two-thirds of the width of the furniture. This will help create harmony in your space and avoid overcrowding your sofa or bed.
We recommend using small to medium sized paintings for common decorative purposes, such as decorating small spaces or adding accents to your home. On the other hand, large and oversized paintings are recommended to be considered as special elements for those who are looking for unique and impressive works of art, as well as for true collectors who are willing to invest in creating an outstanding art space.