Photo Title: “Modern Coastal Statement” A 60in x 40in acrylic sea glass print that shows how bold wall art can anchor a living room and set the tone for the entire space.
Wall art size guide for acrylic, canvas, metal and framed prints
If you have ever searched for “what size wall art should I buy” or “how to choose the right wall art size for your home”, you know how confusing it can feel. The image might be beautiful, yet if the size is off, the whole wall looks unfinished.
As a photographer who creates high contrast, colour rich coastal and sea glass images, I always imagine the final print while I am out shooting. On my store you can order every photograph as a Giclée Stretched Canvas Print, Acrylic Print, HD Sublimation Metal Print, or Framed Print.
In this guide I will show you how to pick the right size for your space and how each print style behaves at different scales. The goal is simple. Help you choose modern coastal wall art that fits your room perfectly and feels like it was designed for that spot.
Step one. Start with the wall and the furniture
Before you fall in love with a particular size, start with what already exists in the room.
- Measure the full width of the wall you want to use.
- Measure the width of the furniture below the art, such as the sofa, bed or console.
A very reliable designer guideline is that your artwork should cover between sixty and seventy five percent of the furniture width or the main section of wall. This keeps the piece visually connected to the room instead of floating alone.
For example, if your sofa is eighty four inches wide, you are usually looking for a print that is about fifty five inches wide or sixty inches wide. On my site that would be a 55in x 37in or 60in x 40in print. Either of those fills the space in a way that feels intentional.
Step two. Use proven size ranges for each room
Once you know the available width, you can choose from tried and tested size ranges that match the sizes I offer.
Living room
- Above a standard sofa, aim for art in the 36in x 24in, 42in x 28in, 48in x 32in, 55in x 37in, or 60in x 40in range, depending on the width of the sofa.
- For most three seat sofas, 48in x 32in or 55in x 37in works beautifully.
- Leave a gap of about fifteen to thirty centimetres between the top of the sofa and the bottom of the artwork so it feels connected to the furniture, not drifting away.
Bedroom
- Above a queen bed, 24in x 16in or 30in x 20in is a good starting point.
- Above a king bed, 36in x 24in or 42in x 28in usually feels balanced.
- Horizontal pieces follow the shape of the headboard and create a calm feeling.
Dining room or kitchen nook
- Over a dining table, 30in x 20in, 36in x 24in, or 42in x 28in work well in most rooms.
- Keep the centre of the artwork close to seated eye level so people enjoy the piece while they eat.
Hallways and entryways
- Use smaller to medium sizes such as 12in x 8in, 16in x 11in, 20in x 13in, or 24in x 16in.
- Vertical orientations help a narrow space feel taller and more dynamic.
Step three. Decide how bold you want the art to feel
Modern interiors are moving toward one large statement piece rather than many small ones. A single oversized print gives a room a calm, intentional look and makes styling easier, especially for modern coastal wall art.
If you are unsure, choose the larger option. Most people go too small. When the size is right, the room feels complete and you stop feeling the urge to keep adjusting the decor.
Good size ranges for statement pieces on my site include 36in x 24in, 48in x 32in, 60in x 40in, and 72in x 48in. These sizes shine in living rooms, over beds and on long dining room walls, especially when you print a dramatic ocean scene or luminous sea glass photograph on Acrylic Print or HD Sublimation Metal Print.
Step four. Choose the right print style for the size
On each product page you will see a drop down menu with four styles.
- Giclée Stretched Canvas Print
- Acrylic Print
- HD Sublimation Metal Print
- Framed Print
Each option changes how the artwork feels at different sizes.
Acrylic Print
Acrylic Print starts as a high resolution photograph that is face mounted behind clear acrylic. The surface is glossy and deep, which makes colours appear richer and details incredibly sharp. It is a very popular choice in galleries for photography because it has that modern, polished look.
Medium to very large sizes such as 30in x 20in, 36in x 24in, 42in x 28in, 48in x 32in, 55in x 37in, and 60in x 40in are ideal for acrylic. High contrast images like sea glass macros and long exposure seascapes really come alive on this finish.
Giclée Stretched Canvas Print
Giclée Stretched Canvas Print uses archival inks on textured canvas, stretched over a wooden frame. The finish is matte and soft, giving the image a painterly feel. Colours are a little more gentle than acrylic, which can be perfect if you want a relaxed coastal cottage mood.
Canvas works beautifully from 12in x 8in up to 60in x 40in because it stays light even at larger sizes. It is perfect for bedrooms, reading corners and casual living spaces, as well as groupings of smaller prints that tell a story along a hallway.
HD Sublimation Metal Print
HD Sublimation Metal Print is created by infusing the image into a coated aluminium panel. The result is vivid, crisp and extremely durable, with a subtle luminous surface.
Medium and large sizes such as 24in x 16in, 30in x 20in, 36in x 24in, or 48in x 32in are ideal when you want intense colour and a very modern feel. Metal is a great choice for kitchens, offices and some covered outdoor areas.
Framed Print
Framed Print adds a mat and frame around the image, which introduces breathing room and a more traditional gallery feeling. The frame and mat increase the overall size on the wall, so keep that in mind when you measure.
Smaller to medium pieces such as 12in x 8in, 16in x 11in, 20in x 13in, or 24in x 16in are ideal candidates for framing. They work beautifully in hallways, stairways and above consoles, especially if you already have framed artwork in your home.
Step five. Get the height right
Width is only half of the story. Hanging height matters just as much. A simple rule is to place the center of the artwork roughly one hundred forty five to one hundred fifty centimetres from the floor in most rooms. This matches average eye level and keeps the piece comfortable to look at when you are standing.
Above furniture, aim for a gap of fifteen to thirty centimetres between the top of the furniture and the bottom of the frame. That small overlap visually ties the art to the sofa, bed or sideboard so it feels like one composition instead of two separate objects.
Step six. Test the size before you buy
Two quick methods can help you feel confident before you place an order.
Painter tape outline
Use painter tape to mark the width and height of the print directly on your wall. Live with it for a day. Notice how it feels when you walk into the room and when you sit down. If it feels slightly bold, you are usually in the ideal zone.
Photo mockup
Take a straight on photo of your room and drop my artwork into the scene using your favourite design tool. I often create mockups for collectors so they can see how a 48in x 32in or 60in x 40in Acrylic Print or Giclée Stretched Canvas Print will actually look above their sofa or bed.
Bring the right size modern coastal wall art into your home
Choosing wall art size does not need to feel overwhelming. Start with the wall and furniture measurements, pick a size that fills at least sixty percent of that width, then match the print style to the mood of your space.
If you love sharp detail and vibrant colour, Acrylic Print or HD Sublimation Metal Print will give you that gallery level punch, especially in sizes like 48in x 32in, 55in x 37in, and 60in x 40in. If you prefer something softer and more traditional, Giclée Stretched Canvas Print or a framed piece in 24in x 16in or 30in x 20in may be your best match.
You can explore every image on brendandalziel.com as Giclée Stretched Canvas Print, Acrylic Print, HD Sublimation Metal Print and Framed Print, all produced in Canada on premium materials. Choose the photograph that speaks to you, select the size and finish that fit this wall art size guide, and turn your room into a place that feels calm, intentional and uniquely yours.
Browse modern coastal wall art at brendandalziel.com
If you would like personal help choosing a size or finish, you can contact me through the site and I will be glad to create a custom mockup for your room.