What size art goes above a full bed?
A full mattress is 54 in (137 cm) wide, so the art above it should span 36–41 in (91–104 cm), with its bottom edge 6–10 in (15–25 cm) above the headboard. From our sizes, the best fit is a pair of 18 × 24 in portraits, 3 in (7.5 cm) apart, 39 in (99 cm) across; a pair of 18 × 12 in landscapes, 39 in (99 cm) across, also works.
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 | Sunflowers (National Gallery, London) | 18 × 24 in | 79 in | 49½ in | 10½ in left |
| 2 | Lady with an Ermine | 18 × 24 in | 79 in | 70½ in | 10½ in right |
What fits above a full bed, by width
Art width = ⅔ to ¾ of the full bed. Options use our print sizes with 3 in (7.5 cm) gaps; prices are unframed, with 10% off three or more.
| Full bed width | Art should span | Best fit from our sizes | Total width | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Twin · 38 in (97 cm) | 25–29 in (64–74 cm) | a pair of 12 × 18 in portraits | 27 in (69 cm) | $78 |
| Full · 54 in (137 cm) | 36–41 in (91–104 cm) | a pair of 18 × 24 in portraits | 39 in (99 cm) | $118 |
| Queen · 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 |
| California king · 72 in (183 cm) | 48–54 in (122–137 cm) | a pair of 24 × 32 in portraits | 51 in (130 cm) | $158 |
| King · 76 in (193 cm) | 51–57 in (130–145 cm) | a row of three of 16 × 24 in portraits | 54 in (137 cm) | $159.30 |
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 54 in (137 cm) full bed wants 36–41 in (91–104 cm) of art. A pair of 18 × 24 in portraits 3 in (7.5 cm) apart spans 39 in (99 cm), 72% of it, hung with its bottom edge 56 in (142 cm) from the floor. Or a pair of 18 × 12 in landscapes, 39 in (99 cm).
- A 58 in (147 cm) full bed wants 39–44 in (99–112 cm) of art. A row of three of 12 × 18 in portraits 3 in (7.5 cm) apart spans 42 in (107 cm), 72% of it, hung with its bottom edge 56 in (142 cm) from the floor. Or a pair of 18 × 24 in portraits, 39 in (99 cm).
Art that fits this wall
Questions
How wide should art be above a full bed?
Two-thirds to three-quarters of the bed's width: 36–41 in (91–104 cm) for a standard full mattress (54 in (137 cm)). If your headboard is wider than the mattress, measure the headboard and use that.
How high should art hang above a full bed?
Leave 6–10 in (15–25 cm) of wall between the top of the headboard and the bottom of the frame, so the bed and the art read as one piece. Sitting up, your head should clear the frame.
One large print or several above a full bed?
Our widest single print is 36 in (91 cm), so above a full bed a pair reaches the two-thirds mark more easily than one print: a pair of 18 × 24 in portraits spans 39 in (99 cm).
Is it safe to hang framed art above a bed?
Use two anchors rated well above the frame's weight, or hang lighter unframed prints or canvas over a bed. Avoid glass-fronted frames above a child's bed.
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)
- Sleep Doctor, Mattress Sizes and Dimensions (twin 38, full 54, queen 60, king 76, California king 72 inches wide)
Updated 2026-11-03. Free to use; no sign-up. To cite: Madten, “What size art goes above a full bed?”, https://www.madten.com/tools/art-size-calculator/above-full-bed.