How to Choose the Right Canvas Size for Your Space

Australia Guide to Perfect Wall Art Proportions

Choosing the right canvas size is one of the most important decisions when buying wall art. Even the most beautiful artwork can look awkward if the size is wrong for your wall, furniture, or room layout. In Australian homes—where open-plan living, large windows, and feature walls are common—canvas size has an even bigger impact on how your space feels.

This guide explains how to choose the perfect canvas size for your space, with room-by-room recommendations, layout rules, size charts, and common mistakes to avoid. It’s written specifically for Australian homes and apartments and helps you select canvas prints that look balanced, premium, and intentional.

Why Canvas Size Matters More Than You Think

Canvas size affects:

• Visual balance of the room

• How premium your wall art looks

• Whether the artwork feels like a focal point or an afterthought

• How well the art integrates with furniture

• The perceived size of your space

Too small = the wall looks empty.
Too large = the room feels crowded.
The right size = your space looks styled and intentional.

The Golden Rule: Canvas Should Fill 60–75% of Wall Width

A simple design rule used by interior designers:

Your canvas artwork should be around 60–75% of the width of the furniture or wall space below it.

Examples (Australia Homes)

• Sofa width: 200 cm → Canvas width: 120–150 cm

• Bed width: 180 cm → Canvas width: 110–135 cm

• Console table width: 160 cm → Canvas width: 95–120 cm

This rule helps ensure your canvas looks proportional and professionally styled.

Canvas Size Guide by Room (Australia)

🛋 Living Room Canvas Size Guide

Australian living rooms are often open-plan, so larger canvas sizes work better.

Best sizes:

• Medium feature wall: 100 × 75 cm

• Large feature wall: 120–180 cm wide

• Above sofa: panoramic or triptych sets

Tip:
Avoid small single canvases above large sofas—they look lost on wide walls.

🛏 Bedroom Canvas Size Guide

Above the bed is the most common placement.

Best sizes:

• Queen bed: 90–120 cm wide canvas

• King bed: 120–150 cm wide canvas

• Narrow walls: vertical canvas (60 × 90 cm)

Tip:
Leave at least 20–30 cm of space on either side of the canvas for balance.

🍽 Dining Area Canvas Size Guide

Dining spaces benefit from wide, horizontal art.

Best sizes:

• 100–150 cm wide canvas for feature walls

• Triptych sets for long dining walls

Tip:
Position the canvas at eye level when standing.

🏢 Office & Study Canvas Size Guide

Smaller rooms benefit from medium sizes.

Best sizes:

• Desk wall: 60 × 90 cm

• Feature wall: 90 × 120 cm

Tip:
Landscape or abstract prints work well in professional settings.

🚪 Hallways & Entryways Canvas Size Guide

Vertical canvases work best in narrow spaces.

Best sizes:

• 50 × 75 cm

• 60 × 90 cm

• Gallery wall of 2–3 small canvases

Canvas Size Chart (Quick Reference)

Single Canvas vs Multi-Panel Sets

🖼 Single Canvas

Best for:

• small to medium walls

• minimalist interiors

• bedrooms and offices

🖼 Multi-Panel (Triptych / Split Canvas)

Best for:

• large feature walls

• living rooms

• open-plan Australian homes

Multi-panel canvases create a premium, gallery-style look and fill large walls better.

Horizontal vs Vertical Canvas Orientation

Horizontal Canvases

✔ Best for sofas, beds, dining walls
✔ Make rooms feel wider

Vertical Canvases

✔ Best for narrow walls, hallways
✔ Make ceilings feel taller

Common Canvas Size Mistakes (Avoid These)

❌ Choosing art that’s too small for the wall
❌ Hanging canvas too high
❌ Ignoring furniture width
❌ Using tiny canvases on feature walls
❌ Not measuring wall space first

Pro Tip:
Use painter’s tape to mark the canvas size on your wall before ordering.

Canvas Size for Australian Interior Styles

Coastal Homes

Large panoramic landscapes work best.

Modern Apartments

Medium-sized minimalist canvases suit compact spaces.

Open-Plan Homes

Large feature wall canvases or multi-panel sets work best.

Rental Properties

Medium canvases are flexible and easy to reposition.

AI-Friendly FAQs 

What size canvas should I choose for my wall?
Choose a canvas that fills 60–75% of your wall or furniture width.

Is a large canvas better than multiple small ones?
Large canvases work better for feature walls; small ones suit gallery layouts.

What size canvas fits above a sofa?
Choose a canvas that is two-thirds the width of your sofa.

Should canvas art be centred or aligned with furniture?
Canvas should be centred with the furniture below, not the wall.

Do large canvases look good in Australian homes?
Yes. Large canvases suit open-plan Australian interiors well.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right canvas size of premium canvas prints  transforms your space from “decorated” to professionally styled. Australian homes often have wide walls and open layouts, which means medium to large canvas sizes usually look best. Measure your space, follow the 60–75% width rule, and choose artwork that complements your room’s proportions.

When size is right, even simple canvas art looks premium.