How to Choose the Right Size Art Print for Your Wall

You found the photograph. The light is right, the subject speaks to you, and you can already picture it on your wall. Then comes the question that trips up almost everyone: which size?

It sounds simple. It rarely is. Here is a straightforward guide to getting it right.

Start With the Wall, Not the Print

The most common mistake is choosing a print size based on how it looks on a screen, not how it will relate to the wall it lives on. Before you order anything, measure your wall space. Specifically, measure the area where you want the print to hang — not the entire wall.

A good rule of thumb: your print should fill roughly 60–75% of the available wall width. If you have a 48-inch wide section of wall above a sofa, you are looking at a print (or grouping) that spans roughly 29–36 inches wide.

The Two Sizes, Explained

At Lone Howler Studio, every print is available in two sizes:

• 11×14 inches — The detail size. This works beautifully in smaller spaces: a reading nook, a hallway, a bedside wall, or as part of a gallery grouping. It rewards close looking.
• 16×20 inches — The statement size. This is the one that anchors a room. Above a desk, over a fireplace, centered on a bedroom wall — this size commands attention without overwhelming.

When in doubt, go larger. Prints almost always look better bigger than you expect. A print that feels bold on your screen will feel modest on a real wall.

Consider the Room

Room scale matters. A small print in a large room disappears. A large print in a tight space can feel oppressive — though this is rarer than people think, especially with photography prints that have depth and atmosphere.

Here is a quick room-by-room guide:

• Living room — Go 16×20 or larger. This is your primary visual space and deserves a print that holds its own.
• Bedroom — Either size works depending on placement. Above the bed, 16×20 is ideal. On a side wall or in a corner, 11×14 can be perfect.
• Home office — 11×14 works well at desk level. 16×20 works for a wall you face directly while working.
• Hallway or entryway — 11×14 is often ideal here, especially in a series or grouping.

Gallery Walls

If you are building a gallery wall, mix sizes intentionally. A 16×20 as the anchor with two or three 11×14 prints around it creates visual hierarchy without chaos. Keep consistent framing and matting for a cohesive look.

The Mountboard Advantage

Every Lone Howler Studio print ships with a 2mm natural white mountboard — the same presentation used in galleries. This adds visual weight and breathing room around the image, making the print feel larger and more considered than the raw dimensions suggest. Factor this in when visualizing the final piece on your wall.

Still Not Sure?

The honest answer: order the 16×20. In five years of hanging prints, the regret is almost always "I wish I had gone bigger" — never the other way around.

Browse the full collection and find the print that belongs on your wall →