What to Hang Above a Sofa
Above a sofa, hang art that is about two thirds the width of the sofa, with the bottom of the frame 15 to 25 cm above the sofa back. The size of your sofa decides the rest: a two-seater suits one print or a pair, a three-seater suits a large print, a pair or a set of three, and a long or corner sofa can take a gallery wall.
Below: what to hang above each size of sofa, how to choose between one print, a pair or a group, and where to centre it.
Prints for this look
Match the art to your sofa size
| Your sofa | What to hang |
|---|---|
| Two-seater or loveseat | One A1, or a pair of A2 prints side by side |
| Three-seater | One A0, two A1 prints, or a row of three A2 prints |
| Four-seater or extra long | Three A1 prints in a row, or a gallery wall built around one A1 |
| Corner sofa | Size the art to the longer back and centre it over that run of seats |
On a 200 cm sofa, the 2/3 rule gives you roughly 130 cm of art. A single A1 print on its own is narrower than that, so it suits a smaller sofa or a room where you want a quieter look. If in doubt, go one size up or add a second print.
One print, a pair or a gallery wall?
- One large print is the simplest answer to an empty wall above a sofa. It works best when the print is big enough to read as a single shape: A1 or A0 size on most sofas.
- A pair suits symmetrical rooms and sofas with matching lamps or side tables. Hang two prints of the same size, from the same series or with the same colours, with a 5 to 8 cm gap. The pair counts as one piece when you check the width.
- A set of three, or triptych, suits long sofas. Keep the sizes equal and the gaps the same so the row reads as one block.
- A gallery wall suits relaxed, eclectic rooms. Start with one larger anchor print and keep the whole group inside the ends of the sofa. Our gallery wall above the sofa guide has a ready-matched set and a layout to copy.
Centre on the sofa, not the wall
Art above a sofa should be centred on the sofa, even if the sofa is not centred on the wall. The sofa and the art work as one group, so lining them up looks right from across the room. The exception is a very large wall where the sofa sits to one side: there, either centre the art on the sofa and add a plant or lamp to balance the gap, or move the sofa.
For height, leave 15 to 25 cm between the top of the sofa back and the bottom of the frame. Measure from the highest point of the back, not the cushions. With a low sofa and a tall wall, stay near the lower end of that gap, so the art stays connected to the furniture.
Choosing what goes on the wall
Above a plain sofa, a print with one strong colour gives the room a focal point. Above a patterned or brightly coloured sofa, choose a calmer print that repeats one of its colours. If your sofa sits under a window, use the side walls instead and hang a pair at the same height on each.
For style and colour ideas for the whole room, see living room wall art ideas, browse our living room wall art, or test a layout above your own sofa with the gallery wall planner.
Sizes at a glance
| Size | Centimetres | Inches | Works for |
|---|---|---|---|
| A4 | 21 x 29.7 | 8.3 x 11.7 | Shelves, desks, small gaps, sets of 3 |
| A3 | 29.7 x 42 | 11.7 x 16.5 | Hallways, side walls, pairs |
| A2 | 42 x 59.4 | 16.5 x 23.4 | Above a sideboard or small sofa, the anchor of a gallery wall |
| A1 | 59.4 x 84.1 | 23.4 x 33.1 | Above a standard sofa or bed |
| A0 | 84.1 x 118.9 | 33.1 x 46.8 | Large walls, open-plan rooms, statement pieces |
All our A sizes fit standard off-the-shelf frames, and every print is made to order on museum-grade matte paper.
