How to choose a poster size: from 30 × 40 to 70 × 100
Which size for which wall? An easy way to choose poster sizes by room, furniture and viewing distance.
· Iconica Society editors
The right size decides how a work reads in a room. Too small and it gets lost on a wide wall; too big and it overwhelms a narrow space. Look at three things: the width of the wall, the furniture below and how far away you will view it from.
Sizes and where they work
- 30 × 40 cm: shelves, above a desk, bathrooms and the smaller pieces in a gallery wall.
- 50 × 70 cm: the most versatile size. For sideboards, headboards and hallways; works as a pair above a sofa.
- 70 × 100 cm: for a single statement piece. Above a sofa and on wide, empty walls.
Proportions matter too
Every work has its own proportions: The Great Wave is horizontal, while Klimt’s Tree of Life is distinctly vertical. Choose vertical works for narrow, tall walls and horizontal ones for wide spaces above furniture. Square works (like The Kiss) look great in pairs or threes.
Can’t decide? Tape a sheet of paper the size you are considering to the wall and live with it for a few days; you will quickly feel the right size.
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