What size art goes above a sideboard?
For a 66 in (168 cm) sideboard, choose art 44–50 in (112–127 cm) wide (two-thirds to three-quarters of it) and hang it with 6–10 in (15–25 cm) of wall between the sideboard and the frame. From our sizes that is a pair of 24 × 36 in portraits (a touch over the band), 3 in (7.5 cm) apart: 51 in (130 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 | Girl with a Pearl Earring | 24 × 36 in | 77 in | 46½ in | 13½ in left |
| 2 | The Milkmaid | 24 × 36 in | 77 in | 73½ in | 13½ in right |
What fits above a sideboard, by width
Art width = ⅔ to ¾ of the sideboard. Options use our print sizes with 3 in (7.5 cm) gaps; prices are unframed, with 10% off three or more.
| Sideboard width | Art should span | Best fit from our sizes | Total width | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48 in (122 cm) | 32–36 in (81–91 cm) | a pair of 16 × 24 in portraits | 35 in (89 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 |
| 66 in (168 cm) | 44–50 in (112–127 cm) | a pair of 24 × 36 in portraits (a touch over the band) | 51 in (130 cm) | $158 |
| 72 in (183 cm) | 48–54 in (122–137 cm) | a pair of 24 × 36 in portraits | 51 in (130 cm) | $158 |
| 84 in (213 cm) | 56–63 in (142–160 cm) | a row of three of 18 × 24 in portraits | 60 in (152 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 60 in (152 cm) sideboard wants 40–45 in (102–114 cm) of art. A row of three of 12 × 18 in portraits 3 in (7.5 cm) apart spans 42 in (107 cm), 70% of it, hung with its bottom edge 42 in (107 cm) from the floor. Or a grid of six of 12 × 18 in portraits, 42 in (107 cm).
- A 72 in (183 cm) sideboard wants 48–54 in (122–137 cm) of art. A pair of 24 × 36 in portraits 3 in (7.5 cm) apart spans 51 in (130 cm), 71% of it, hung with its bottom edge 42 in (107 cm) from the floor. Or a pair of 24 × 18 in landscapes, 51 in (130 cm).
Art that fits this wall
Questions
How big should art be above a sideboard?
Two-thirds to three-quarters of its width: 44–50 in (112–127 cm) on a 66 in (168 cm) sideboard.
How high above a buffet should art hang?
6–10 in (15–25 cm) above the top. In a dining room people look from a seated height, so stay near the low end.
What art suits a dining room?
Still lifes, fruit and botanical plates, and calm landscapes: pieces that hold up to being looked at through a long meal.
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 sideboard?”, https://www.madten.com/tools/art-size-calculator/above-sideboard.