Shown: Vlinderdroom met Zomerkroon — centred above the sofa, at eye level, with calm spacing. Exactly according to the rules below.
A beautiful artwork can make or break a room — and usually it doesn't go wrong in the choosing, but in the hanging. Too high, too small, or just slightly off balance. In this guide we share the rules of thumb that interior stylists and galleries use, with exact measurements so you get it right the first time.
1. The golden rule: hang at eye level
The most important rule is surprisingly simple: the centre of your artwork hangs about 145–150 cm above the floor. That matches average eye level — exactly why galleries and museums stick to this measurement.
So don't measure from the top edge or from the ceiling; find the centre of your piece and bring that to 145–150 cm. A common mistake is hanging too high; at eye level a work feels connected to the room instead of floating.
2. Above the sofa: keep it connected
- Distance to the sofa: leave 15–20 cm between the bottom of the work and the top of the sofa. This keeps the artwork visually connected to the seating area.
- Size: the artwork (or the whole composition) should ideally be at least two-thirds of the sofa's width. A work that's too small above a wide sofa looks lost.
- Check from the sofa: judge the height seated, not standing.
3. Choosing the right size
| Situation | Rule of thumb |
|---|---|
| Above the sofa | ≥ 2/3 of the sofa width |
| Above a dresser or sideboard | 2/3 to 3/4 of the furniture width |
| Empty wall / statement | Fill ± 60–75% of the available wall width |
| Narrow wall or between doors | Choose a portrait (upright) format |
Torn between two sizes? Almost always choose the larger one. A generous artwork completes a space; one that's too small leaves the wall looking empty.
4. A flawless gallery wall in 15 minutes
- Treat the collection as one whole. Find the centre of the entire composition and keep it at ± 145–150 cm.
- Keep the spacing even: 5–8 cm between frames gives a cohesive look.
- Above the sofa: align the bottom row 15–20 cm above the sofa and build upward.
- Make a test layout first. Trace each work onto kraft paper, cut out the shapes and tape them to the wall with painter's tape — a life-size preview without a single drill hole.
5. Material, weight and hanging system
- Poster & light prints: a single hook or adhesive strip is often enough.
- Canvas: hang from the stretcher bar; usually with two hooks for a level image.
- Aluminium & plexiglass: heavier and often with a spacer system — use wall plugs suited to your wall type.
- Acoustic felt panels: beautiful and functional (they dampen sound); use sturdy fixings.
Checklist before you drill
- Centre of the work at 145–150 cm
- 15–20 cm above the sofa
- Artwork ≥ 2/3 of the furniture width
- 5–8 cm spacing for a gallery wall
- Test layout made with paper
- Correct plugs/hooks for your wall type
- Spirit level checked
With these measurements you hang every work professionally and in balance. Still looking for the right artwork or size? In the ArtifyCanvas collections you choose the material and format that suits your wall for each work. A decorative piece like Vlinderdroom met Zomerkroon, for example, looks wonderful as a centred focal point above the sofa.
