What Size Wall Art Should You Choose for Each Room?
One of the most common questions I get asked is some version of: "I love this print, but what size should I get?" It's a fair question. Buy too small and the print gets lost on the wall. Buy too big and suddenly it's all you can see. I've had plenty of customers tell me they wish they'd gone one size up, so I put together this practical wall art size guide for Australian homes, with a focus on coastal spaces where scale really matters.
If you want to go deeper on sizing options, I also have a dedicated size guide on the site with visual references to help you picture each format in a real room.
Start With the Wall, Not the Print
Before you fall in love with a specific print, measure your wall. Seriously, grab a tape measure. A good rule of thumb is that your artwork should fill about two thirds of the available wall space. If you're hanging above a couch, the print should be roughly the same width as the couch or slightly narrower. If you're hanging in a hallway, you want something that fits the corridor without crowding it.
Here's how the sizes at Local Breaks roughly map to common wall situations:
- XS (21x29.7cm): Shelf styling, small bathrooms, part of a gallery wall
- S (29.7x42cm): Bedside tables, small hallways, gallery wall anchor pieces
- M (42x59.4cm): Bedrooms, studies, medium hallways, above a console
- L (59.4x84.1cm): Living rooms, dining rooms, feature walls in bedrooms
- XL (84.1x118.9cm): Large living areas, open plan spaces, statement walls
- EPIC (100x150cm): The big one. 1.5 metres wide. Made for serious wall space.
Living Rooms: Go Bigger Than You Think
Living rooms are where I see the most sizing regret. People go for a medium, hang it up, and realise it looks like a postage stamp above the couch. For most living rooms, you want an L or XL. If you've got a large open plan space, the EPIC size at 100x150cm is worth considering. It becomes the centrepiece of the room, full stop.
Something like the Point Addis Art Print I in XL looks incredible above a couch. It's one of my top sellers and the aerial perspective of the coastline really hits differently at that scale. If you want a guide to getting the size, print and frame right for this space, I wrote a full post on choosing wall art for a coastal living room that covers it properly.
Bedrooms: Think Feature Wall or Bedside
Above the bed is one of the best spots in the house for a print. An M works well in smaller rooms, but an L or XL above a queen or king creates a proper feature wall moment. I've had customers tell me it's the first thing they see every morning and it genuinely lifts their mood.
For a coastal bedroom, something like the Wye River Art Print I in L is a great pick. The colours work well in bedroom lighting and the scene has a calm, easy quality that suits the space.
Hallways and Entryways: Long and Narrow Wins
Hallways are tricky because the space is usually long but not that deep. A portrait orientation print at M or L works well here. Mount it at eye height and it draws you through the space naturally. I've seen customers put an L in their hallway and say it gives the whole entry a completely different feel. First impressions matter, and a quality coastal print says something about a home the moment you walk in.
Home Offices and Studies: Smaller Space, Big Impact
Your home office doesn't need something massive, but it does need something you actually want to look at. An M above a desk or beside a monitor is usually the sweet spot. I've had customers tell me they look at their print every time they need a mental break from the screen. That's exactly what art in a workspace is for. For more ideas, check out my post on styling a coastal home office with wall art.
Take the Coast Home
Whatever room you're decorating, there's a size and a print that'll work. If you're still not sure, my advice is always to go one size up from what you're considering. You rarely hear someone say their print is too big. Starting from $89, prints are available in everything from XS right up to the EPIC 100x150cm format. All printed here in Victoria, shipped free anywhere in Australia, ready to hang.
If you've got a favourite coastal spot, there's a good chance I've shot it. Browse the full range and find your wall.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size wall art should I get for a living room?
For most living rooms, an L (59.4x84.1cm) or XL (84.1x118.9cm) print is the right call, especially if you're hanging above a couch. Aim for a print that covers roughly two thirds of the wall width above your furniture. Going too small is the most common mistake and the easiest one to avoid by just measuring first.
What size wall art works best in a bedroom?
Above a queen or king bed, an L or XL works really well as a feature piece. For a smaller room or a bedside wall, an M (42x59.4cm) is usually enough. The key is to fill the space above the bed without the print extending wider than the bedhead.
How do I know what size wall art to buy without seeing it in person?
Cut out a piece of paper or cardboard to the exact dimensions you're considering and hold it against the wall. It sounds low-tech but it genuinely works. You can also check the Local Breaks size guide for visual comparisons of each size in a room setting.
Is the EPIC size really that big?
Yes, the EPIC format is 100x150cm, which is 1.5 metres wide. It's designed for large walls in open plan living areas, spacious hallways or anywhere you want a serious statement piece. It's not for every space, but when the wall calls for it, nothing else comes close.
Still unsure? Send me a message and I'm happy to help you figure out the right size for your space.
