Practical guide
What size print to choose for your wall
The most useful rule for getting size right: a work should fill between 60% and 75% of the width of the furniture or wall space it sits above. If it hangs alone on a wide wall, err on the larger side — the most common mistake is buying a piece that's too small.
The 3 rules that never fail
- 60–75% proportion. Above a sofa or headboard, the work (or the set) should span two-thirds to three-quarters of the furniture's width.
- Hang at eye level. Centre the work about 145–150 cm (57–59 in) from the floor. It's average eye height and the museum and gallery standard.
- Breathing room above furniture. Leave 15–25 cm (6–10 in) between the top of the furniture and the bottom of the frame. Neither stuck to it nor floating too high.
What size by where you hang it
| Location | Suggested size |
|---|---|
| Hallway, bathroom, narrow nook | 20 × 30 cm – 30 × 45 cm |
| Above a low cabinet or console | 30 × 45 cm – 50 × 75 cm |
| Above the sofa or headboard | 70 × 100 cm (or a diptych) |
| Wide wall, statement piece | 100 × 150 cm |
| Entryway with high ceilings | 100 × 150 cm, vertical |
Viewing distance matters too
The further away a work is seen from, the larger it should be. A simple guide: the piece should be comfortable to appreciate from where you usually sit or stand (the sofa, the bed, the doorway). In living rooms, viewing distances of 2–3 metres call for 70 × 100 cm or larger so the image has presence and doesn't get lost.
One large piece or several small ones
Both work, but they say different things:
| One large piece | Several small ones (a set) | |
|---|---|---|
| Effect | Calm, quiet luxury, single focus | Energy, narrative, personality |
| Best for | Living room, main bedroom | Hallway, staircase, studio |
| Difficulty | Low: one decision | Medium: you must balance the layout |
To arrange several works, see our guide on how to decorate a wall with photography.
If you're torn between two sizes, choose the larger one. A slightly large piece fills the space; a small one is left stranded on the wall.
A trick before you buy
Cut newspaper or use painter's tape to mark the rectangle of the size you're considering on the wall. Live with it for a couple of days: it's the easiest, cheapest way to know whether a size works in your space before you decide.
Sizes at Soul in Prints
Every work is available in several sizes, from 20 × 30 cm (from €65) to large format 100 × 150 cm. On each work's product page you can choose size and material. Explore the gallery or see sizes and materials.
Frequently asked questions
How high should a photograph be hung?
Centre the work about 145–150 cm (57–59 in) from the floor, which is average eye height. Above furniture, leave 15–25 cm between the furniture and the bottom of the frame.
What size photograph works above a sofa?
The work or set should span 60% to 75% of the sofa's width. For a 2.2 m sofa, that usually means a 70 × 100 cm piece or a diptych.
Is one large piece better than several small ones?
One large piece brings calm and focus; several small ones add energy and narrative. Living rooms and bedrooms usually suit a single large work; hallways and staircases suit a set.
How do I judge size before buying?
Mark the rectangle on the wall with painter's tape or paper and leave it for a couple of days. You'll quickly see whether the size fills the space well.