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Choosing Canvas Art for Your Home - Size & Shape

The second thing to consider after colour is size and shape. Get this wrong and even art that perfectly matches the decor and style of your room can look totally out of place.

Getting the size right

Your canvas art should look in proportion to the wall space it occupies and the surrounding furnishings. If its too big it will overwhelm, if it's too small then it will look lost.

Its a good idea not to pack your art into alcoves, or narrow walls. Try to always leave at least 20 to 30cm (8" to 12" inches) gap around the canvas and the surrounding walls and ceiling. Your canvas will usually look good when placed centrally (horizontally) on a wall with the vertical centre of the canvas at eye level. If your canvas is large then it's often not possible to have the centre at eye level, but you should still be able to gauge a good height for maximum effect.

A big piece of wall art can look great above a sofa, or fireplace. Small canvases look great in small alcoves, in bathrooms, kitchens and hallways. Smaller matching canvases also look great hung together in 2's, 3's or 4's.

Getting the shape right

Basically, if you want to play safe, go square. A square print, if the right size shouldn't look out of place no matter where it's placed. If you want a rectangular print then you need to consider a few other factors. A landscape style print (one that's wider than it is tall) goes well above a bed, a fire place, sideboard, or sofa. Portrait style print (one that's taller than it is wide) goes well in alcoves, hallways, stairways and narrow walls between doors and windows.

A basic rule of thumb is; match the canvas height and width ratio to the height and width ratio of the wall. For example if you have wall space above your fireplace that's 2 metres wide and 1.5 metres high then a landscape print will look good, but a tall print on this space may look out of place.

You can also use multiple prints to create a landscape or portrait effect. For example you can hang 3 coordinated square prints closely together above a sofa. This is often a great way to give your canvas art a real 'wow factor'.

Cool Tip

Remember, there are no rules to say a canvas print needs to be hung on a wall. You can sit a large canvas directly on the floor and simply lean it against the wall, or it can sit directly on top of your fireplace. Small canvases can look great leant up on shelves, bookcases and sideboards....