Ever notice how harmonious the artwork looks in some people’s homes? Not only does it feel like it’s an integral part of the interior design, but it also accents and elevates the best features of every room. This isn’t something that happens by accident. There are principles and techniques for balancing art with its surroundings, and they’re not a huge mystery. Everyone can learn them.

One of the primary considerations for tastefully hanging art is size. That’s not only the size of the artwork but also the size of the room. Whether you’re selecting a statement piece for your living room or smaller items for a gallery-style wall, size and positioning are critical for achieving the right balance. Here is a wall art size guide to help you choose the best works for your home and hang them in the most advantageous locations.

Varied Sizes of Artwork

For starters, the size of your wall art should be proportional to the space it occupies. A small piece on a large, expansive wall will feel lost, while an oversize piece can overwhelm a room. When purchasing artwork, or evaluating what you already own, you can divide wall art into three categories:

• Small pieces (under 16 inches in width) are great for tight spaces like hallways, shelves, or gallery walls. They can also be grouped together, and their synergy can add up to a larger display with more impact than the sum of the individual pieces.

• Medium pieces (16-24 inches) are highly versatile and will work in almost any room. They’re happy to stand alone or to join others as part of an arrangement.

• Large pieces (over 24 inches) are often most suitable as focal points. These bold artworks will magnificently dominate an empty wall space, and they also display nicely over large furniture such as beds and sofas.

Principles of Positioning

When visiting a museum, most people can comfortably look at each painting without raising or lowering their head. That’s because the pieces are mounted with the vertical midpoint at eye level. This “sweet spot” is about 57 inches from the floor. That’s your general rule on how high to hang art: half of each artwork above the 57 inch mark and half below it.

You may have to make exceptions. Museums generally don’t have sofas and chairs directly in front of their art walls, but you probably do. In that case, you might have to mount items a little higher. There should be a gap of six to 12 inches between the top of the furniture and the bottom of the art. This maintains the visual connection between the furnishing and the artwork without making the arrangement feel cramped.

Another exception might be the dining room, since it’s a place where people are usually sitting. There, the work should be just a little lower so friends and family can easily enjoy it while they’re eating or chatting.

In most cases, a single large work should be centered left to right on its wall. However, if there’s a sofa or other major furniture, that can look unbalanced. It may be better to center it over the sofa. An ideal width for over-sofa artwork is approximately two-thirds the length of the couch, for example, about 56 inches for an 84 inch sofa.

If you’re considering how to hang multiple pieces of art on a wall, think of the entire set as a single visual element. Then center the complete arrangement just as you would one large piece. You’ll want to keep two to three inches between the individual items to avoid a congested look.

Which Sizes Go Where?

Different rooms call for different art choices. Keep the mood of the room in mind when selecting both the size and type of artwork. Living rooms support boldness, with larger pieces for a central focal point that draws the eye. Bedrooms might call for calmer, more soothing selections, often placed above the bed or on adjacent walls. Dining room artwork, sitting slightly lower than standing eye level, might be a compromise between visual daring and relaxing tranquility.

Kitchens and bedrooms, with their reduced open space, tend to favor smaller pieces. Light, playful or simple art adds brightness to the room’s utilitarian function.

Different Types of Art

To make your wall art an organic part of your interior design, consider different ways of getting the most of different artworks.

Statement Pieces

Few art choices are as much fun as selecting a large, confident piece for a room with lots of open wall space. It should be sized to dominate the wall but still leave some breathing room. Ideally, hang such an item so that it’s centered left to right and at eye level height, unless you're purposefully creating a dramatic effect by going lower, higher or asymmetrical. Many experts suggest that this kind of assertive piece should take up 57 to 75 percent of the horizontal wall space.

Smaller Works

Smaller pieces might stand on their own in limited spaces, but consider combining them in sets or pairs for a more substantial visual impact on a roomier wall. A trio of similarly sized pieces works well in a dining room or along a hallway. Remember to keep spacing even between them, and take care that the group reads as one visual element, rather than a series of unrelated artworks.

Gallery Walls

A gallery wall should work as a collective piece, with a mix of small and medium-sized works creating a balanced composition. Start by placing the largest piece in the center or at eye level, then arrange smaller pieces around it to maintain cohesion.

You should aim for some variety in your selections while sticking to a single style and theme. For example, a mix of modern paintings and prints yields a fetching trendy look. Some people create a personalized wall with family portraits and photos, and they might even add touches with special meaning such as children’s artwork. You can also include pieces like clocks and mirrors as accents in your collage.

It’s important to understand what your gallery will look like before you make any holes in the wall. You might lay out your items on the floor, where you can rearrange them until you love what you see. Some people use painter’s tape or cardboard cutouts to view the actual spacing on the wall.

Art That Elevates Your Interior Design

You don’t have to be a museum curator to enhance your home with wall art. Make use of these guidelines to size and position your artwork for the maximum contribution to each room’s aesthetic. Soon, everyone who comes through your front door will be captivated by a home where the art is a delightful extension of your design sensibility.