If you’ve ever stood in your bedroom holding a piece of art and wondering, “Is this too small?” you’re not alone. One of the most common bedroom decorating mistakes I see—especially above beds—is choosing artwork that’s either way too tiny or so oversized it throws off the whole room. As an interior designer, I’ve seen just how often people get this one wrong. But don’t worry—I’m here to help with easy formulas, my go-to placement tips, and great ideas for choosing the right art size above your bed.
Hanging art above the bed is a great way to add personality, and a clear focal point to your space—but only if you get the size right. Too small, and your wall art will feel disconnected and awkward. Too large, and it can overwhelm the room (or even compete with your headboard).
Whether you’re decorating a primary bedroom, guest room, or kid’s room, this guide covers the ideal art size above king bed, queen bed, full size bed, and twin bed—plus tips on choosing between a single piece of art, a gallery wall, or art prints in sets.
Why Size Matters When Hanging Wall Art Above the Bed
Think of the space above your bed as an opportunity to showcase your personal style and tie all of the colors of your room together. The right piece of art acts as a focal point—anchoring the bed, adding wow factor, and creating that polished, designer look we all love.
But without a clear plan, it’s easy to end up with art that’s too small (the most common mistake I see!) or placed too high, making the space feel disjointed.
Let’s go over some guidelines that interior designers use to pick the perfect piece of art for that small-but-significant space above the bed.
Need help choosing the right size art throughout your home? Be sure to check out my full wall art size guide blog post!
The No-Fail Formula for Art Above the Bed
The general rule of thumb is:
Your wall art should be 50–75% of the width of the bed or headboard.
That includes the total width of all the art pieces if you’re using a set or gallery wall. For example, if your bed frame is 80 inches wide, your artwork should span somewhere between 40 and 60 inches across.
And when it comes to vertical placement:
Hang your art 6–8 inches above the headboard and try to keep the top of your artwork at least 6 inches below the ceiling (6-18 inches below ceiling height is ideal).
For a look that’s balanced, you want to choose the height of your art such that there’s enough space between the headboard and the art, and the ceiling and the art. We don’t want things to look too crowded, or have so much space that the art looks like it’s a solitary floating island in a sea of blank wall.
Best Art Size Above King Bed
A typical king-size bed in the United States is about 80 inches wide. A king size mattress is typically 76 inches wide, but we want to focus on the width of the headboard for sizing art. This means art size for a king size bed should span 40 to 60 inches in total width.
Canvas Size Ideas for King Beds:
- One large horizontal canvas: 48” x 30” or 60” x 24”
- Two medium art prints: each 24” x 30”, spaced 2–3 inches apart
- Three smaller pieces in a row: each 16” x 20”
- A grid-style gallery wall of 4–6 prints (just keep the total width within range)
If you have high ceilings, you’ll have more available wall space between the ceiling and the top of the bed, but don’t feel pressured to fill it entirely. A little breathing room is a good idea! Scroll down to the section on high ceilings and tall headboards for more guidance.
Best Art Size Above Queen Bed
Most queen beds are around 60–65 inches wide, so shoot for art that’s around 30–49 inches wide.
Canvas Size Ideas for Queen Beds:
- One large art piece: 36” x 24” or 40” x 30”
- A set of two prints: each 18” x 24”
- Three smaller prints in a row: 12” x 18”
- A mini gallery wall with 4–6 smaller frames (keep spacing consistent!)
Pro Tip: Landscape-oriented art tends to work best above queen beds, but you can also use other decorative accents, like a mirror, tapestry, or display of baskets
Best Art Size Above Full Size Bed
A full size bed is typically about 54–58 inches wide, so your art should span around 30–45 inches in total width.
Canvas Size Ideas for Full Beds:
- One framed art print: 30” x 24”
- Two smaller pieces: each 14” x 18”, spaced 2–3 inches apart
- Three prints: each 12” x 16”, stacked vertically or arranged in a grid
Best Art Size Above Twin Bed
A twin bed is about 38–42 inches wide, so stick to 20–33 inches of total art width.
This size is perfect for fun, playful art prints in a kid’s room or guest room. If you’re decorating two twin beds in one room, try using matching art sets for symmetry.
Canvas Size Ideas for Twin Beds:
- One piece: 24” x 18”
- Pair of small prints: each 11” x 14”
- Set of three mini canvases arranged vertically
This is also a great spot to break the rules! Twin beds are often in more casual or creative spaces, so have fun with different sizes, different frames, and even 3D art or wall hangings.
Should You Do a Gallery Wall Above the Bed?
A gallery wall can be a great way to fill space above the bed if it’s well balanced.
Here are a few expert tips:
- Keep the total width of the gallery wall within 50–75% of the bed’s width
- Space frames 3-4 inches apart for a cohesive look
- Stick to a clear layout (grid or row)
- Use painter’s tape or paper templates to plan it out before hanging
Using a grouping of smaller art pieces is an easy way pieces to create a big visual impact above your bed frame.
What About High Ceilings or Large Headboards?
If you have high ceilings, you’ll have more available wall space between the ceiling and the top of the bed. If you have a high headboard, then you’ll have less space between the top of the headboard and your ceiling height. In both of these scenarios, you’ll need to take the height of your art into consideration, and make sure it fits the space above your bed appropriately.
Here’s what to keep in mind:
- For a taller bed frame, shorter vertical art is your best friend—try 48” x 24” or 30” x 20”
- If the space above your bed is limited, you could skip the wall art entirely and go for oversized pillows or tall lamps on your nightstands to create vertical interest.
- For tall headboards, you could also use a smaller piece of art, flanked by two sconce lights
- If the headboard is arched, consider hanging two art prints on either side of the highest point
Expert Tip: Always consider the height of the bed, the space above the headboard, and how the art fits within your room’s design elements (style and color palette, for example).
What Kind of Art Should You Hang?
Now that you’ve got the right size, let’s talk about style. You’ve got a ton of options depending on your personal style and the desired vibe or overall feel of your bedroom.
Here are some ideas for choosing a type of art that will work best in your bedroom:
- Canvas prints are a perfect way to add a splash of color, and have a more modern vibe
- Framed art prints look sophisticated and expensive
- Textural wall hangings like woven pieces or macramé can add texture for a cozy feel
- Mirrors are great for reflecting light and creating the illusion of more space
- Diptychs or triptychs (2 or 3-part sets) are an easy way to create a gallery-stye look
Pro Tip: Match the style of the art to your overall decorating style and other design elements in the space, so the room looks cohesive. For example, if you have a modern, minimalist bedroom, choose modern or abstract art to fit the style of the space. Using a traditional landscape in an ultra modern room could make things look disjointed.
And of course—this is your bedroom. Don’t stress too much about following every guideline perfectly. The best choice is always the piece of art that speaks to you.
Here are a few of my favorite art pieces for over the bed:
Ideal Art Size by Bed Size Quick Reference Chart
Here’s a quick reference chart you can use to determine the best size art for above your bed. Based on the size of your bed, or width of your bed frame, you have several options.
| Bed Size | Typical Width of Bed | Ideal Art Width (50–75%) | Suggested Art Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| King | 80″ | 40–64″ | 1 large piece, 2-3 piece set, gallery wall |
| Queen | 60–64″ | 30–50″ | 1 large piece, 2 pieces, mini gallery |
| Full | 54–58″ | 30–45″ | 1–2 medium prints, 3 smaller prints |
| Twin | 38–42″ | 20–33″ | 1 medium print, 2–3 small pieces |
Final Thoughts
The best part about these guidelines? They give you structure without boxing in your creativity. You can still personalize your space, mix in sentimental pieces, and have fun with your style—just within a framework that helps your bedroom feel more cohesive.
And if you’re loving simple formulas like this one to make decorating easier, grab my free guide! It’s full of design tips that actually make sense (even if you’re not a designer). Click here to download “7 Secrets of Successful Decorating” today!
