How to Choose, Size & Hang Fine Art Photography Prints
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Before You Buy: The Questions Most People Ask Too Late
Selecting a fine art print is an investment in your space. The right size commands a room; the wrong one disappears into it. This guide answers the practical questions — dimensions, placement, framing, and finish — so you can order with complete confidence.
Choosing the Right Width for Your Wall or Furniture
Above a Sofa
The artwork should span two-thirds to three-quarters of the sofa's width. For a standard 2.1 m (84") sofa, that puts your ideal print width between 140–160 cm (55–63"). A single large-format print reads as a considered choice; a cluster of smaller prints works well too, provided the collective arrangement stays within that two-thirds rule.
Above a Console or Sideboard
Aim for 50–75% of the console's width. Leave at least 15 cm (6") of wall visible on each side so the piece doesn't feel cramped. Tall, narrow prints suit slim consoles; wide panoramic formats complement longer sideboards with presence.
A Useful Quick-Reference
- Small (up to 50 cm wide) — Ideal for hallways, gallery walls, or intimate reading nooks.
- Medium (50–90 cm wide) — Suits bedrooms, home offices, and accent walls in smaller living rooms.
- Large (90–130 cm wide) — Statement pieces for open-plan living areas, above larger sofas, or generous dining rooms.
- Extra-large (130 cm+) — Architectural impact. Works above king beds, in double-height entries, or as a solo focal point in a loft-style space.
Browse our The Quiet Landscape and Coastal collections for prints available across the full size range.
Hanging at the Right Height
The universal rule: the centre of the artwork should sit at eye level — approximately 145–152 cm (57–60") from the floor. This is the standard used by galleries worldwide and works in almost every domestic setting.
Above Furniture
When hanging above a sofa, console, or bed head, leave 15–25 cm (6–10") of wall between the top of the furniture and the bottom edge of the frame. Any higher and the artwork floats; any lower and it appears to rest on the piece rather than relate to it.
In a Stairwell or High-Ceilinged Space
Follow the sightline of a person ascending the stairs rather than fixing a single height. For double-height entries, drop the centre point to roughly 160–165 cm to keep the work engaging when viewed from across the room rather than directly beneath it.
How Framing Changes the Finished Size
The print size you order is the image size — framing adds to every dimension. As a guide:
- A slim profile frame (2–3 cm rebate) adds approximately 4–6 cm to width and height.
- A standard frame with a mat board (passepartout) typically adds 10–15 cm per side, meaning a 60 × 40 cm print becomes roughly 80–90 cm wide once framed.
- A deep shadow box or float frame adds 5–8 cm and creates visible depth, which suits unmatted prints and canvas.
Always confirm your final framed dimensions before ordering a custom frame, particularly when working to a precise wall measurement. Use the checklist below to record your wall space first, then subtract your intended frame allowance to arrive at the correct print size to order.
Matte vs. Glossy Finish: Choosing for Your Room's Lighting
Matte (Lustre / Satin)
Matte and lustre finishes absorb light rather than reflect it, which eliminates glare from windows, overhead lights, and lamps. This makes them the preferred choice for:
- Rooms with direct natural light or large windows
- Living rooms and dining areas with ambient overhead lighting
- Any wall that faces a light source
Colour rendering remains accurate and shadow detail is retained. For landscape and seascape photography — where tonal subtlety is critical — matte finishes are almost always the right call.
Glossy
Glossy surfaces intensify contrast and saturation, making colours appear more vivid and blacks deeper. They suit:
- Controlled-light environments (home theatre rooms, dim hallways, windowless spaces)
- Abstract works where graphic punch is the intent
- Prints displayed under directed, low-angle lighting
In a standard living room with mixed natural and artificial light, glossy prints frequently produce distracting glare and hot spots. If in doubt, choose matte.
Explore our Abstract collection — available in both finishes — and our landscape collections including Mountains and Waterfalls, Outback Australia, and New Zealand.
How to Measure Your Wall
Five minutes with a tape measure prevents a costly misjudgement. Work through these steps before ordering:
- Measure the full wall width from corner to corner (or between architectural features such as windows and doorways).
- Identify any furniture anchor points — note the width of the sofa, console, or bed head that will sit beneath the work.
- Calculate your target artwork width using the two-thirds rule above.
- Mark your hanging height — use a pencil mark or painter's tape at 150 cm from the floor as your centre-line guide.
- Simulate the footprint with paper — cut newspaper or kraft paper to the finished framed size and tape it to the wall. Live with it for a day before ordering.
- Note any light sources — windows, skylights, pendant lights, and their angles — and refer to the finish guidance above.
Printable Measurement Checklist
Copy the fields below onto paper or save this page to your phone for reference when measuring:
| Measurement | Your Reading |
|---|---|
| Full wall width (cm) | |
| Furniture width below (cm) | |
| Target artwork width (⅔ of furniture, cm) | |
| Available wall height above furniture (cm) | |
| Desired centre-line height from floor (cm) | |
| Frame allowance — add to print size (cm) | |
| Final print size to order (W × H, cm) | |
| Primary light source direction | |
| Finish preference (Matte / Glossy) |
Still Unsure? We're Here to Help
Every space is different. If you'd like a personalised sizing recommendation, send us a photo of your wall with something in frame for scale — we're happy to advise on size, orientation, and finish before you commit to a print.