Large Wall Art Ideas for Living Rooms
To fill a large living room wall, go bigger than feels natural: one A1 or A0 print, a pair of A1 prints, or a set of three, covering about two thirds of the width of the furniture below. Hang the centre at 145 to 150 cm from the floor and a big wall looks intentional rather than empty.
Below: how to choose the size, when to use one print or several, how to hang oversized art safely, and prints chosen to work at a large scale.
Prints for this look
How big should art be on a large wall?
The most common mistake on a big wall is art that is too small. A single A3 print on a wide wall looks like it has been forgotten. Use the 2/3 rule: the art, or the whole group, should cover about two thirds of the width of the sofa, sideboard or bed beneath it. On a 200 cm sofa that means roughly 130 cm of art: one A0, one A1 with room to breathe, or a pair of A1 prints side by side.
If there is no furniture in front of the wall, judge it against the wall itself. Aim for art that fills around half to two thirds of the open width, and keep at least a hand's width of clear wall between the art and any door frame, window or corner.
Before you buy, tape a paper outline of the size to the wall and live with it for a day. If it still looks big after a day, it is probably right.
One oversized print, a diptych or a set?
- One oversized print is the calmest option. An A0 above a long sofa or on an open-plan wall gives the room a clear focal point and is the easiest to hang.
- A diptych, or pair, of A1 prints covers more width than a single print and suits long sofas and wide walls. Choose two pieces from the same series, keep the sizes identical and leave a gap of 5 to 8 cm.
- A set of three A2 prints in a row works on wide, lower walls, for example above a long sideboard or a bench.
- A gallery wall built around one A1 anchor fills a very big wall and lets you add pieces over time.
Browse our large wall art prints for pieces that hold their own at A1 and A0.
Choosing large art that suits the room
The bigger the print, the simpler the image can be. Soft abstracts, line art, landscapes and single bold shapes all read well from across a room, while busy, detailed pieces can feel heavy at A0. A quiet print in calm colours lets a large wall breathe; a bold one becomes the main event, so keep the rest of the wall clear.
Pull one colour from the room into the art: the rust of a cushion, the green of a plant, the blue of a rug. On a dark painted wall, a print with plenty of light space stands out. On a white wall, a deeper, warmer print stops the room feeling bare. Our abstract prints are a good starting point for oversized art.
Hanging oversized prints
Large frames are heavier and wider, so hang them on two hooks or nails rather than one. Two fixings keep the frame level and stop it tipping when someone brushes past. Use a spirit level, mark both points in pencil, and check the fixings suit your wall.
Keep the centre of the art at 145 to 150 cm from the floor, even on a tall wall, so it sits at eye level. Above furniture, leave 15 to 25 cm between the top of the furniture and the bottom of the frame. If you would rather not drill, one A1 print leaning on a sideboard or mantel gives a relaxed, layered look.
For more ideas for big living room walls, read how to decorate a large wall in a living room, or try layouts first 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.
