One of the most common questions we get at MARSAM is deceptively simple: "What size should I get?" It's also one of the easiest things to get wrong. Too small, and a beautiful piece disappears into a big wall. Too large, and it can overwhelm a small room. The good news is that choosing the right size is less about guesswork and more about a few practical rules of thumb - and knowing your actual wall dimensions before you buy.
Every piece in our canvas collection comes in three sizes - Small, Medium, and Large - across three formats: Square, Landscape, and Portrait. Here's exactly what those measure out to:
Know Your Options
Square canvases: Small (15"), Medium (20"), Large (24") - ready-framed, no conversion needed.
Landscape canvases: Small (18" x 10"), Medium (25" x 14"), Large (32" x 18") - ideal for wide wall spans like above a sofa or console.
Portrait canvases: Small (10" x 15"), Medium (15" x 22"), Large (18" x 27") - suited to narrower, taller spaces like hallways and entryways.
Every product page also has its own Size Guide with these exact numbers, so you can measure against your wall before deciding.
Bedroom: Above the Headboard
The general rule for artwork above a bed is that it should span roughly two-thirds the width of your headboard - wide enough to feel intentional, but not so wide it crowds the nightstands. For a queen or king bed, that usually means a Large Landscape piece (32" x 18") works beautifully as a single statement. For a more layered look, pair a Medium Portrait piece on each side of a smaller central piece, echoing the symmetry of a traditional gallery wall.
Hang it so the center of the piece sits roughly 6 to 8 inches above the top of the headboard - close enough to feel connected to the bed, not floating awkwardly near the ceiling.
Living Room: Above the Sofa
Living rooms are usually the most forgiving - and most rewarding - place to go bold. A Large Square (24") or Large Landscape (32" x 18") piece centered above a three-seater sofa reads as a genuine focal point, especially in a room with high ceilings or a large, plain wall. If your space calls for something more curated, our Build Your Own Bundle tool lets you combine three pieces at a discount - a Small, Medium, and Large together read as a considered gallery moment rather than three mismatched frames.
As a baseline, keep artwork above furniture within 8 inches of the sofa back, and aim for the piece (or grouping) to cover roughly two-thirds to three-quarters of the sofa's width.
Entryway & Hallways
Entryways and hallways are usually narrow, which makes Portrait orientation the natural fit - a Small (10" x 15") or Medium (15" x 22") Portrait piece sits comfortably above a console table without crowding the walkway. If your entryway is wider or you want more presence the moment guests walk in, a Medium Square (20") also works well and pairs nicely with a mirror or console lamp.
A Simple Rule of Thumb
Whatever the room, hang artwork so its center sits at roughly eye level - about 57 to 60 inches from the floor - when there's no furniture below it to reference. When there is furniture below (a sofa, bed, or console), let the furniture's width and the 8-inch spacing rule guide you instead.
And if you're still unsure, or you have an unusual wall shape or a custom size in mind, our team is always happy to help - just reach out through our Custom Orders page and we'll walk through it with you.