Art above bed works best at about two thirds to three quarters the width of the headboard, with its bottom edge 8 to 12 inches above it. For a queen bed that is 40 to 45 inches wide, so a 36x24 or 48x16 inch print fits. One wide landscape or panoramic piece looks calmer than several small ones.
- Match art width to the bed: about 40 to 45 inches over a 60 inch queen and 51 to 57 inches over a 76 inch king.
- Hang the bottom edge 8 to 12 inches above the headboard, and 6 to 10 inches above a sofa, console or dresser.
- Use a wide landscape or panoramic shape over a bed, since a horizontal piece echoes the line of the mattress.
- Anchor heavy art into a stud or a rated wall anchor, and choose a lightweight canvas or poster over glass above a pillow.
- With no furniture below, center art 57 to 60 inches from the floor.
How High Should Art Be Above a Bed?
Hang the bottom edge of the art 8 to 12 inches above the top of the headboard. That gap keeps the art connected to the bed, so the two read as one group. With no headboard, measure from the top of the pillows, usually 24 to 30 inches from the floor, and leave about 10 inches.
If the art sits too high, it floats on the wall and loses its link to the furniture. With a headboard that tops out at 48 inches, a 24 inch tall piece hangs from 58 to 82 inches, comfortably inside an 8 foot (96 inch) wall.
What Size Art Goes Above a Bed?
Match the width to the bed, not the wall. Art about two thirds to three quarters of the bed's width looks balanced, and a piece narrower than half the width looks lost. Standard mattress widths are 38 inches for a twin, 54 for a full, 60 for a queen, 72 for a California king and 76 for a king.
| Bed | Width | Art width to aim for | Sizes that fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twin | 38 in | 25 to 28 in | 24x16 landscape, 24x8 panoramic |
| Full | 54 in | 36 to 40 in | 36x24 landscape, 36x12 panoramic |
| Queen | 60 in | 40 to 45 in | 36x24 landscape, 48x16 panoramic |
| California king | 72 in | 48 to 54 in | 48x32 landscape, 48x16 panoramic |
| King | 76 in | 51 to 57 in | 48x32 landscape, 60x20 panoramic |
The ideal art size above a king bed is the question people ask most (about 320 US searches a month), and the answer is a piece close to 50 to 60 inches wide. A 60x20 inch panoramic canvas or a 48x32 inch landscape both qualify.
Pro tip: Cut paper or painter's tape to the exact size of the piece and stick it above the bed for a day. Sit up against the pillows and check that it feels connected to the headboard, not floating.
Should You Put Artwork Above a Bed?
Yes, and the wall above the bed is the strongest place to put it, since it is the focal point of the room. Choose a calm subject: a coastline, a quiet field or a soft abstract. Our bedroom wall art leans on that kind of restful scene. Safety matters too. Anything above a pillow should be secure and light.
- Fix the hook into a stud, or use rated wall anchors sized for the weight of the piece.
- Prefer a canvas print or poster print to heavy glass above a sleeping head.
- Use two hooks on a wide piece so it stays level and does not slide when the bed shakes the wall.
- Check that the piece will not touch the headboard or wall when someone leans back.
What Art Is Best for a Bedroom?
Pick art that slows the room down: soft colors, open space and horizontal lines. Coastal horizons, mist over hills and quiet water read as calm, while busy scenes and strong reds can feel loud by a bed. A wide, soft landscape does the job in most master bedrooms. Our coastal bedroom ideas show this approach in a full room.
Shape matters as much as subject. A panoramic wall art piece suits a king bed with a wide headboard, while a square canvas suits a narrow twin or a compact room.
What Goes Above a Sofa, Console, Dresser and Desk?
The same two thirds to three quarters rule applies to every piece of furniture, with a gap of 6 to 10 inches. Only the proportions change. Here is what to hang over each.
Sofa
Choose a landscape or panoramic print 56 to 63 inches wide over an 84 inch sofa, such as a 60x40 or 60x20 inch canvas. Hang it 6 to 10 inches above the sofa back.
Console Table or Entry Bench
A 48 inch console takes a 32 to 36 inch piece, for example a 36x24 inch landscape. Leave 6 to 8 inches between the console top and the frame so a lamp or tray sits clear.
Dresser
Over a 60 inch dresser, a 36x24 or 48x16 inch print leaves room for a mirror to one side. Keep the center of the group close to 57 to 60 inches from the floor.
Desk
Choose a calmer, smaller piece, 24x16 or 30x20 inches, so the art does not compete with a screen. Hang it just above eye level when you sit.
Fireplace Mantel
Center the art on the mantel and hang it 4 to 6 inches above the shelf. Our mantel wall art ideas cover the details.
Take a queen bed, 60 inches wide, with a 48 inch headboard. Two thirds of 60 is 40 inches, so a 48x16 inch panoramic canvas (80% of the width) works as the top of the range, while a 36x24 landscape sits at 60%. Hang the 36x24 piece with its bottom edge 10 inches above the headboard, at 58 inches from the floor. Its center then sits at 70 inches, which is higher than the 57 to 60 inch rule but is correct over furniture, where the gap rule wins.
How Do You Style the Wall Behind a Bed?
Keep the wall simple. One wide piece centered over the bed, flanked by two matching sconces or lamps on the nightstands, is the safest layout. Our guide to choosing the right size for wall art covers other walls too.
For a layered look, lean a smaller canvas on a floating shelf above the headboard, or hang a second, smaller piece beside the first with 2 to 3 inches between them. Paint a tall arch behind the art for more depth.
Watch out: Do not hang a wide piece off-center because the bed sits off-center in the room. Center the art on the bed, not the wall, or the pair will look crooked.
Where Should You Not Hang a Picture?
Avoid spots that damage the art or the room's flow. Do not hang a canvas print above a radiator or heating vent, where heat warps the stretcher, or in a steamy bathroom. Keep it out of direct sun, which fades color over the years. Skip the wall behind a door that opens fully, and never hang art lower than your sightline unless it is above furniture.
- Measure the bed or furniture width and multiply by 0.67 and 0.75.
- Choose a size inside that range.
- Mark the wall with painter's tape at that size.
- Measure 8 to 12 inches above the headboard, or 6 to 10 inches above other furniture, for the bottom edge.
- Mark the hook position, find the studs and fix the hook.
- Hang the art and check it with a level.
Every piece is printed to order and ships free across the US. Pick a wide shape for a bed and a calmer scene for sleeping.
Bedroom wall art Panoramic wall art Landscape canvas painting Framed wall art
Quick answers
Common Questions
How many inches should art be above a bed?
Leave 8 to 12 inches between the top of the headboard and the bottom edge of the art. That keeps the two connected without crowding the pillows. With no headboard, measure from the top of the pillows and leave about 10 inches. Over a sofa or console the gap is 6 to 10 inches.
What is the ideal art size above a king bed?
Aim for 51 to 57 inches wide, which is two thirds to three quarters of a 76 inch king. A 48x32 inch landscape or a 60x20 inch panoramic canvas both fit. A single wide piece looks calmer than several small ones, and a piece under 36 inches looks lost.
Should you put artwork above a bed?
Yes. The wall above the bed is the room's focal point, and art there makes the bed look finished. Choose a calm subject, fix it securely into a stud or rated anchor, and keep it lightweight. A canvas print is a safer choice than heavy glass above your head while you sleep.
What art is best for a bedroom?
Calm, horizontal scenes work best: coastlines, misty hills, soft fields and quiet abstracts in muted colors. Wide landscape or panoramic prints echo the bed's line. Avoid busy scenes and strong reds near the bed. Choose colors from your bedding so the art and the room match.
Where should you not hang a picture?
Avoid spots above radiators or heating vents, in direct sun, and in steamy bathrooms, since heat, light and humidity damage prints. Also avoid walls behind doors that swing open, and do not hang art above furniture so high that it floats. Keep the bottom edge within 6 to 12 inches of the furniture below.
