What to Hang Above a Bed
Above a bed, hang art that is about two thirds the width of the bed or headboard, with the bottom of the frame 15 to 25 cm above the top of the headboard. As a guide, that means one A1 above a double, or a pair of A2 prints above a king size. Choose calm colours and simple images, because this is the last wall you see at night.
Below: how big and how high to go, whether to choose one print or a set, what to do with no headboard, and prints that suit a bedroom.
Prints for this look
How big should art above a bed be?
Measure the headboard, or the bed frame if it is wider, and plan art that covers about two thirds of that width. It is the same 2/3 rule designers use above sofas, and it keeps the art in proportion with the bed rather than lost above it.
- Single and narrow beds: one A2, or a pair of A3 prints.
- Double: one A1, or a pair of A2 prints.
- King size: a pair of A2 prints, two A1 prints, or a row of three A2 prints.
- Super king and extra-wide beds: one A0, or a pair of A1 prints with a 5 to 8 cm gap.
If you have tall bedside lamps, keep the art inside the space between them. Art that overlaps the lamps looks crowded.
How high to hang art above a bed
Leave 15 to 25 cm between the top of the headboard and the bottom of the frame. That is close enough for the bed and art to read as one group, and high enough that you will not knock it when you sit up to read.
With no headboard, let the art act as one. Hang it a little higher than your head when you sit up against the pillows, and keep it centred on the bed rather than the wall. A wide, landscape print or a row of three works especially well here, because it fills the space a headboard would.
For safety, use two hooks or nails for anything A2 or larger, check the fixings suit your wall, and choose a lightweight frame. A frame with acrylic glazing rather than glass is a sensible choice over a bed.
One print, a pair or a set of three?
- One large print is the calmest choice and suits minimal and Japandi bedrooms.
- A pair suits symmetrical rooms with matching bedside tables. Hang them at the same height, with each print roughly centred over one side of the bed.
- A set of three in equal sizes suits king-size beds and low, wide headboards. Keep the gaps the same so the row reads as one piece.
- A small gallery wall suits relaxed, eclectic bedrooms. Keep it tighter and lower than you would in a living room, and repeat one or two colours across the group.
Plan the layout before you drill with the gallery wall planner.
Choosing art for above the bed
Most people want the bedroom to feel restful, so look for soft abstracts, line art, landscapes and botanicals in muted colours. Pick up a colour from your bedding or curtains: a rust cushion, a sage throw, the oak of a bedside table. Save loud, busy prints for a wall you see in the daytime.
Browse our bedroom art prints or the neutral wall art collection, or let the Art Match quiz suggest prints for your room in about a minute.
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.
