Décor
How to Choose the Right Canvas Size for Your Wall
By Aura Canvas · · Updated · 5 min read
The right canvas size is the one that fills about two thirds of the furniture or wall space beneath it. Above a sofa, choose art roughly two thirds the width of the sofa. On an open wall, let the canvas take up around two thirds to three quarters of the space you want to fill. Everything else is refinement.
Choosing a size is where most people hesitate, and it makes sense. A canvas portrait is a lasting decision, and you want it to feel at home the moment it goes up. This guide walks you through the six Aura Canvas sizes, the simple rules designers use, and how to test a size before you order.
What sizes does Aura Canvas offer?
Aura Canvas offers six sizes, from an intimate A5 to a monumental A0. Each one follows the A series proportions, so your photograph keeps the same elegant shape at every scale.
| Size | Dimensions | Price |
|---|---|---|
| A5 | 14.8 x 21 cm | R289 |
| A4 | 21 x 29.7 cm | R399 |
| A3 | 29.7 x 42 cm | R619 |
| A2 | 42 x 59.4 cm | R939 |
| A1 | 59.4 x 84.1 cm | R1499 |
| A0 | 84.1 x 118.9 cm | R2499 |
Standard delivery anywhere in South Africa is R135, and delivery is complimentary on orders of R1000 or more. That means an A1 or A0 always ships free.
How big should a canvas be above a sofa?
A canvas above a sofa should be about two thirds the width of the sofa. This is the single most useful rule in wall art, and it works because it keeps the canvas and the sofa feeling like one composition rather than two separate objects.
Here is how that plays out with common sofa widths:
- A two seater of around 150 cm pairs well with an A1 in landscape, which is 84.1 cm wide, or a pair of A2 canvases hung side by side.
- A three seater of around 200 to 220 cm suits an A0 in landscape at 118.9 cm wide, or two A1 canvases with a small gap between them.
- A compact sofa or loveseat under 140 cm looks beautiful with an A1 in portrait or an A2 in landscape.
Hang the bottom edge of the canvas roughly 20 to 25 cm above the back of the sofa. Too high and it floats away from the room. Too low and it crowds the people sitting beneath it.
Which size works best above a bed?
Above a bed, follow the same two thirds rule using the width of the headboard. A queen bed is around 150 cm wide, so an A1 in landscape or an A0 in portrait creates a calm, anchored focal point. For a double bed, an A1 is often perfect. For a king bed, an A0 in landscape gives the scale the wall asks for.
Bedrooms reward softness. A portrait of the people you love, printed large and hung low over the bed, makes the room feel both restful and personal.
What size canvas suits a hallway or entrance?
Hallways and entrance halls are viewed up close and in passing, so they suit medium sizes with strong, simple images. An A2 or A3 in portrait sits comfortably in most passages. In a wide entrance hall, where the canvas is the first thing guests see, an A1 makes a confident first impression.
If your entrance has a console table, apply the two thirds rule to the table instead of the wall. Lean smaller pieces on the console itself for a layered, curated look.
When should I choose a small canvas?
Choose an A5 or A4 when the canvas will be seen at arm's length. These sizes are made for desks, bedside tables, bookshelves and gallery walls. They are also the classic gift size, easy to wrap and easy to place in any home.
Small canvases shine in groups. Three A4 portraits from the same day, hung in a row, tell a story that one image alone cannot.
How do I plan a gallery wall?
Plan a gallery wall by treating the whole arrangement as one piece of art. Measure the total area you want to fill, apply the two thirds rule to that area, and then divide it into canvases.
A few principles keep a gallery wall looking intentional:
- Keep spacing consistent. A gap of 5 to 8 cm between canvases looks considered.
- Anchor with one larger piece. An A2 or A1 at the centre gives the eye a place to rest.
- Mix orientations thoughtfully. Portrait and landscape canvases together create rhythm.
- Lay it out first. Cut paper templates to each size and tape them to the wall for a day or two.
Each Aura Canvas order is for one photograph, so a gallery wall is simply several orders. If you would like help choosing sizes and images that work together, message us on WhatsApp and we will curate it with you.
How can I test a size before ordering?
Test a size by cutting a sheet of newspaper or brown paper to the exact dimensions and taping it to the wall. Live with it for a day. Look at it from the doorway, from the sofa, and in evening light.
The paper test takes ten minutes and removes almost every doubt about scale.
If the paper feels slightly too big, it is probably right. Art almost always looks smaller once it is framed by a room full of furniture and life.
Does resolution affect which size I can choose?
Yes. Larger canvases need larger photo files. Our order page reads your photograph and tells you how it will print at your chosen size, and we review every image personally before printing. If a photo will look soft at A0, we will suggest the largest size where it will look beautiful.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most popular canvas size?
The A2, at 42 x 59.4 cm and R939, is our most loved size. It has real presence on a wall without needing a large room.
Is an A0 canvas too big for a normal living room?
Not usually. An A0 is 84.1 x 118.9 cm, which suits most living room walls above a three seater sofa. Use the paper test to be sure.
Do larger canvases cost more to deliver?
No. Delivery is R135 for orders under R1000 and complimentary on orders of R1000 or more, so A1 and A0 canvases always ship free.
