How to Choose the Right Size Art for Your Wall
Choosing vintage art should feel enjoyable, not like a measuring exercise. The aim is to make the piece feel like it belongs in the room. When the size is right, the artwork looks intentional. When it is off, it can feel like it is floating, crowded, or slightly lost.
I've put together a simple guide to help you choose the right size, and hang your art in a way that feels natural.
Start with balance, not precision
The best sizing decisions are visual. You want the artwork to feel in proportion to the space and the objects around it. On a large wall, a small piece can look a little hesitant. In a tighter space, an oversized piece can feel heavy. If you are hanging art above furniture, it should feel connected to what sits beneath it, not separated from it. And if you are stuck between two sizes, the slightly larger option often reads as more intentional.
Image from @the.townhouseproject
Anchor art to something
A helpful way to start is to think about what the art is speaking to. In most homes, art looks best when it is visually connected to something nearby, such as a sofa, a sideboard, a console table, a bed, or a fireplace. A piece on a large empty wall can still look great, but it needs enough presence to hold its own. If it feels too small, it often works better as part of a small group rather than trying to make one modest piece do all the work.
Hang it at a comfortable eye level
The most common mistake is hanging art too high. A good rule is to place it where you naturally look, rather than pushing it towards the ceiling. If the art is going above furniture, keep it close enough that it feels part of the same scene. When the gap is too big, the art can start to feel detached.
Think in one statement or a small collection
If you are drawn to smaller works, you do not need to abandon them. Vintage art often looks brilliant when it feels curated. Two pieces side by side, or a small cluster with consistent spacing, can give you the presence you want while keeping the character of smaller originals.
Image from @the_decor_studio
Let the frame do some of the work
Framing matters more than most people expect. Vintage pieces often come alive with the right finish. A simple frame can make a piece feel cleaner and more modern, while a heavier frame gives it more authority on the wall. A mount can also help a smaller artwork feel more substantial, which is useful if you love delicate pieces but still want them to hold their own in a bigger space.
Match the mood of the room
Vintage art has real personality, so let the space guide the choice. In calmer rooms, softer colours and simpler compositions usually feel most at home, especially when the piece has a little breathing room around it. In bolder spaces, you can lean into contrast. Darker, more graphic works often look brilliant as a focal point and help the room feel intentional rather than busy.
Image from @charlotteboundy
Use the easiest test before you commit
When you are unsure, tape a sheet of paper to the wall roughly the size of the artwork you are considering and leave it up for a day. Look at it when you walk past, when you sit down, and in different light. Your eye will tell you quickly whether it feels right, or whether it needs more presence.
There is no perfect formula. The goal is balance. Choose a size that feels grounded in the room, hang it at a comfortable height, and trust the fact that vintage art is meant to bring warmth and personality. If it feels like it belongs, you have got it right.