Choosing the right print size for your wall: A complete guide

Choosing the right print size is the decision that makes or breaks a wall display. Too small and the print disappears into the wall. Too large and it overwhelms the space. Get it right and the print feels like it was always meant to be there.

This guide covers the practical dimensions, the visual guidelines, and the room-by-room recommendations that will help you choose with confidence.

The sizes at a glance

All TypePosters prints are available in standard A-series sizes:

• A4 — 21 × 29.7cm (8.3 × 11.7 inches). Standard sheet of printer paper.
• A3 — 29.7 × 42cm (11.7 × 16.5 inches). Twice the area of A4.
• A2 — 42 × 59.4cm (16.5 × 23.4 inches). Twice the area of A3.
• A1 — 59.4 × 84.1cm (23.4 × 33.1 inches). Twice the area of A2.
• A0 — 84.1 × 118.9cm (33.1 × 46.8 inches). Twice the area of A1.

Each step up in the A-series exactly doubles the paper area. This means an A0 print is 16 times the area of an A4 — a significant jump that is easy to underestimate when looking at numbers on a screen.

The two-thirds rule

A print or group of prints should fill roughly two-thirds of the available wall space above the furniture it is placed over. This creates visual balance — the print is large enough to anchor the space without crowding it.

For example, if the wall space above your sofa is 150cm wide, your print or arrangement should be roughly 100cm wide. A single A1 print (59.4cm wide) would look slightly small. Two A2 prints side by side (about 90cm including a gap) would be closer to the mark. Three A3 prints in a row (about 95cm) would work beautifully.

Viewing distance

The distance from which people will typically view the print matters more than most people realise:

• Close viewing (under 1 metre) — A4 and A3. These sizes work on shelves, desks, narrow hallways, and above bedside tables where you are close to the print.
• Medium viewing (1-2 metres) — A3 and A2. Living room walls, above a changing table, beside a bookshelf. The most common scenario for home environments.
• Distance viewing (2+ metres) — A1 and A0. Above a sofa in a large living room, at the end of a hallway, or as a statement piece on a feature wall. At this distance, smaller prints lose their impact.

Room-by-room recommendations

Nursery

Above the cot: A2 or A1 as a single centrepiece, or three to five A3/A4 prints in a gallery arrangement. The viewing distance is usually 1-2 metres (from the doorway or nursing chair), so A3 is the minimum effective size for a single print. For name displays, A3 works for names up to 5 letters; longer names may need A4 to fit the wall.

Kids' bedroom

Kids' rooms are often smaller than nurseries and have more furniture competing for wall space. A3 is the most versatile size here — large enough to make an impact, small enough to fit between shelves and wardrobes. A single A2 above the bed is another reliable option.

Living room

Living rooms typically have the longest viewing distances and the largest unbroken wall areas. This is where A1 and A0 come into their own. A single A0 print above a sofa creates a striking focal point. A pair of A1 prints side by side works beautifully above a sideboard or console table.

Hallway

Hallways are narrow, so viewing distance is short. A4 and A3 work well here, especially in a vertical column arrangement that draws the eye along the corridor. Avoid A0 in a narrow hallway — it will feel overpowering at close range.

Home office

A single A3 or A2 print at eye level from your desk creates a focal point without being distracting. Avoid hanging prints directly in your line of sight if you are easily distracted — a position to the side or above the monitor works better.

When in doubt

If you are torn between two sizes, go larger. The most common regret we hear from customers is that they wished they had gone one size up. A print that is slightly too large for a space still looks intentional. A print that is too small looks like an afterthought.

Cut a piece of paper or cardboard to the dimensions of the size you are considering and hold it against the wall. Step back to the position where you will most often view it. If it feels too small, it is.

Our Wall Designer tool is also useful here — you can experiment with different sizes on a virtual wall before committing to a purchase.