A big question I get asked is what is the ideal art size above a king bed.
The answer is often subjective, but the best starting point is to keep your finished piece (the outside edges of the frame) between 60-80% the width of the furniture it’s hanging over, and I tend to like it closer to the 80% mark.
Ideal Frame Size Above King Bed
For the standard 76 inch wide king bed you should consider art that is between 45 and 60 inches wide. So if you’d like to hang a framed piece take a look at #3 (32×40 print in a 40×48 inch frame) and #4 below (40×50 print in a 50×60 inch frame).
While I don’t offer 20×24 or 32×40 inch prints as a standard size in my shop, I’m happy to make up a custom size print for you.
1 – 20×24 print in a 24×30 inch frame
2 – 24×30 print in a 32×40 frame
3 – 32×40 print in a 40×48 inch frame
4 – 40×50 print in a 50×60 inch frame
Scroll down to see my favourite art prints for above the bed, how to measure a gallery wall, and links to info about which size art to hang above other size beds.
Favourite Beach Art for Above the Bed
Favourite Landscape Prints for Above the Bed
Favourite Travel Photograph for Above the Bed
Favourite Abstract Art for Above the Bed
If you want to hang a pair of images or a gallery wall, treat the whole thing as one piece that’s between 45 and 60 inches wide.
Ultimately it’s the ideal art size for above your king bed is your own personal preference, so use these examples as a starting point, and if you’re still not sure you can even experiment by taping paper to your wall to see what works best in your room.
Psst… Find more art size ideas here, including above a double and queen bed.
Hi! Thanks for this very helpful post. Do you know where one can order a 40×50 canvas? Can’t seem to find that large of an option on most websites. Thank you!
Hi Jess! I’m really not sure, I’m a photographer so my lab prints and stretches my canvases. Did you try Dick Blick? At that size you may have to stretch your own. Let me know how it goes!
Michael’s has them.
Hello! What sizes do you recommend will look best as 3 photos hanging above a king size bed side by side?
Hi Ashley! It totally comes down to personal preference, but I suggest using a low stick painter’s tape to make rectangles on your wall above your bed to try out different sizes.
Use the photos in this post as a starting point. Choose the look that appeals to you then divide it up into three pieces, allowing 2-5 inches between them. So if you like of #4 in the framed section above, then start with rectangles that are around 18 inches wide and go from there.
The 18 inches would be the final framed size so your photographs would be smaller than that.
Are you thinking vertical or horizontal?
What is the right size of triptych artwork behind King size headboard that is 80″ wide?
David, the same guidelines still apply. Treat all three pieces as one (with the spaces in between), and have the final arrangement be somewhere between 60-80% of that 80 inch width, so 48-64 inches. And don’t forget, this is just a starting point, map it out on your wall with low-tack painter’s tape to see what works for you.
What about the height in relation to the height of the headboard and height of the ceiling?
I’m not sure that height matters that much, though it’s probably a good rule of thumb to keep it between 60-80% the height of the wall above the headboard. But you could probably get away with keeping it a little smaller if you like. Test it out with low tack tape and see how you like it.
Hi! What color paint is used on the walls. Its beautiful.
It certainly is a nice paint colour isn’t it? Unfortunately, it’s not my room so I really don’t know what the colour is called.
What is the rule if any for spacing of artwork from the ceiling?
You know, I’m really not sure. I typically just hang it so when I stand in front of it my eye level is about at the centre. I think they typically recommend art to be 6-8 inches above a piece of furniture, or maybe even less.
Thanks for these great tips! What about a square painting over a king sized bed? Is that a really bad idea? Size guide for square, if you think it’s ok.
Denise, I don’t create many square prints so I haven’t made a guide for them. But it’s really all about width. Start with the measurements I listed and see where that gets you, just be careful that you’re not crowding the ceiling. I highly recommend using low-tack painters tape to make squares on the wall the same size as your art so you can get a sense of how the size will work.