What size art goes above a console table?
For a 48 in (122 cm) console table, choose art 32–36 in (81–91 cm) wide (two-thirds to three-quarters of it) and hang it with 6–10 in (15–25 cm) of wall between the console table and the frame. From our sizes that is a pair of 16 × 24 in portraits, 3 in (7.5 cm) apart: 35 in (89 cm) across.
Hanger drop: measure from the top of the frame down to the hanger (on a sawtooth, to the middle of the teeth).
| # | Size | Nail from the floor | Nail from the left wall edge | Nail from the centre line | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Snowy Owl (Audubon) | 16 × 24 in | 61 in | 50½ in | 9½ in left |
| 2 | Great Horned Owl | 16 × 24 in | 61 in | 69½ in | 9½ in right |
What fits above a console table, by width
Art width = ⅔ to ¾ of the console table. Options use our print sizes with 3 in (7.5 cm) gaps; prices are unframed, with 10% off three or more.
| Console table width | Art should span | Best fit from our sizes | Total width | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 in (91 cm) | 24–27 in (61–69 cm) | one 24 × 36 in portrait | 24 in (61 cm) | $79 |
| 42 in (107 cm) | 28–32 in (71–81 cm) | one 32 × 24 in landscape (a touch over the band) | 32 in (81 cm) | $79 |
| 48 in (122 cm) | 32–36 in (81–91 cm) | a pair of 16 × 24 in portraits | 35 in (89 cm) | $118 |
| 54 in (137 cm) | 36–41 in (91–104 cm) | a pair of 18 × 24 in portraits | 39 in (99 cm) | $118 |
| 60 in (152 cm) | 40–45 in (102–114 cm) | a row of three of 12 × 18 in portraits | 42 in (107 cm) | $105.30 |
The rules and the formula
- Art above furniture should be two-thirds to three-quarters of the furniture's width.
- Leave 6–10 in (15–25 cm) of wall between the top of the furniture and the bottom of the frame.
- Space frames 3 in (7.5 cm) apart in a row or set, and 2–3 in (5–7.5 cm) apart in a gallery wall.
- Nail height = centre height + half the frame height − the hanger drop (the distance from the top of the frame to its hanger).
Worked examples
- A 36 in (91 cm) console table wants 24–27 in (61–69 cm) of art. One 24 × 36 in portrait spans 24 in (61 cm), 67% of it, hung with its bottom edge 38 in (97 cm) from the floor. Or one 24 × 18 in landscape, 24 in (61 cm).
- A 48 in (122 cm) console table wants 32–36 in (81–91 cm) of art. A pair of 16 × 24 in portraits 3 in (7.5 cm) apart spans 35 in (89 cm), 73% of it, hung with its bottom edge 38 in (97 cm) from the floor. Or a pair of 16 × 12 in landscapes, 35 in (89 cm).
Art that fits this wall
Questions
How wide should art be above a console table?
Two-thirds to three-quarters of the table: 32–36 in (81–91 cm) on a 48 in (122 cm) console.
How high above a console table should art hang?
Leave 6–10 in (15–25 cm) above the tabletop, a little more if you keep a lamp or tall vase on it.
Portrait or landscape above an entry table?
Either works on a narrow table: a single portrait for height in a hallway with a low ceiling, a pair of portraits or one landscape on a wider table.
Sources
- Fine Art America, How High to Hang Art Above a Sofa (two-thirds of the sofa's width; 6 to 10 inches of clear wall; centre at 57 to 60 inches)
- Park West Gallery, Three Simple Rules for Hanging Art (centre at 57 inches; 6 to 8 inches above furniture)
- Chairish, How High to Hang Artwork: a Designer's Guide with Measurements (57 to 60 inches; 6 to 12 inches above furniture)
- PictureFrames.com, How to Group Pictures on a Wall (2 to 3 inches between frames)
Updated 2026-11-03. Free to use; no sign-up. To cite: Madten, “What size art goes above a console table?”, https://www.madten.com/tools/art-size-calculator/above-console-table.