Choosing the right art for the wall above your king bed can make or break your bedroom’s look. The perfect piece brings your room together, while the wrong size or style can feel odd and out of place.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about selecting and hanging art above your king bed. You’ll learn about proper sizing, ideal placement, and how to match art with your existing bedroom style.
These tips will help you make smart choices whether you prefer one statement piece, a set of matching prints, or a collection of smaller works.
We’ll cover common errors to avoid and practical advice for creating a bedroom that feels both personal and well-designed.
By the end, you’ll have the knowledge to select art that fits your space perfectly and creates the bedroom look you’ve always wanted.
General Rules for Choosing Art Size
When choosing the ideal art size above a king bed, there are a few important rules to follow.
First, the size of the artwork should be big enough to fill the space above the bed, but not so large that it overwhelms the room.
A good rule of thumb is to select art that’s about 60-80% of the width of the bed.
For a king bed, this usually means the artwork should be around 5-7 feet wide. It’s also important to maintain balance so the art looks centered above the bed, especially if there’s a headboard.
The height of the artwork is key, too—hang it about 6-8 inches above the bed to keep it at a comfortable viewing level.
Lastly, make sure the style of the art matches the room’s overall theme and colors, whether it’s a painting, photograph, or print. The right art can complete the look of the room, making it feel cozy and well-designed.
Best Art Size Over a King Size Bed
When hanging art above a king-size bed, getting the right size is key for a balanced look. Here are some good options based on the width of your bed:
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Single Large Art Piece: One big picture can look very nice above a king bed. Try to find art that is about two-thirds as wide as your bed. For a king bed, look for art between 48 inches to 72 inches wide. This size fills the space well without looking too small or too big.
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Two or Three Pictures Together: You can hang two pictures (called a diptych) or three pictures (called a triptych) above your bed. For a king bed, each picture could be about 24 to 36 inches wide. When placed side by side, they create a balanced look that matches your bed’s width.
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Gallery Wall: If you like showing off lots of pictures, a gallery wall might be perfect for you. This means hanging several smaller pictures together in a group. You can mix different sizes like 8×10 inches, 11×14 inches, or 16×20 inches. This gives you a chance to show off more of your favorite art and creates a personal touch.
Remember that these are just suggestions. The most important thing is that the art looks good to you and fits your room well!
Tips for Choosing the Right Art
Selecting the perfect art for above your king bed involves more than just picking something pretty.
The right piece can tie your whole bedroom together, while the wrong choice might feel out of place. Here are three key factors to consider when making your selection:
Personal Style
When picking art for above your bed, your own taste matters most. Look for pieces that make you happy and match the feel of your bedroom.
Think about colors that go with your bedding and walls. Some people like calm, soft colors for bedrooms, while others prefer bright, happy pictures.
Don’t just follow trends – choose art that means something to you.
Scale
Scale means how the size of your art looks compared to your bed and room. For a king bed, you need art that’s big enough to look balanced.
Too small, and it will seem lost above your big bed. Too large, and it might feel heavy or crowded.
A good rule is that your art should be about 2/3 the width of your bed. Since king beds are about 76 inches wide, your art (or group of art) should be roughly 50 inches wide.
Mix and Match
You don’t have to use just one piece of art. Mixing different pieces can create a more interesting look:
- Try different sizes that work well together
- Use pictures with colors that match or go well together
- Mix photos with paintings or other types of art
- Try frames that are the same color but different styles
When mixing art, try to find a common thread – maybe all the pieces have blue in them, or they’re all black and white photos, or they all show nature scenes. This helps them look planned rather than random.
For a clean look, keep the spacing between pieces even (about 2-3 inches apart). You can even lay out your arrangement on the floor first to see how it looks before hanging anything on the wall.
Additional Design Details to Consider
- Small bedrooms need smaller art to avoid feeling cramped. Large rooms can handle bigger pieces or art groups.
- Measure the area above your bed. Allow 6-10 inches between the headboard and the art. Leave at least 8 inches between the art and the ceiling.
- For gallery walls, use odd numbers of pieces (3, 5, 7). Keep the total width about 2/3 of the bed width. Plan the layout on the floor first. Maintain consistent spacing between frames (2-3 inches).
Choosing the Right Orientation for Putting Art
When selecting art for above your king bed, the orientation of your pieces plays a crucial role in how well they complement your space.
Both horizontal and vertical orientations can work, but they create different effects and require different approaches. Here’s how each orientation typically works with king-size beds:
| Horizontal (Landscape) | Vertical (Portrait) |
|---|---|
| Naturally complements the wide shape of king beds | Can work above king beds when used in pairs or groups of three |
| Fills the wall space proportionally without looking crowded | Single vertical pieces often look too narrow above king beds |
| Creates a sense of calm and balance above the large bed | Multiple vertical pieces can create an interesting rhythm above a king bed |
| Typically requires only one piece to achieve proper scale | Requires careful spacing between multiple pieces for a cohesive look |
| Easier to center and align with the width of the bed | Needs thoughtful arrangement to balance the wide bed below |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When hanging art above your king bed, watch out for these common errors that can throw off your bedroom’s look:
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Art that’s too small – A tiny 16″x20″ picture looks lost above a 76″ wide king bed. For proper scale, choose art that’s at least 40″ wide or group smaller pieces to cover 2/3 of the bed width.
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Hanging too high—Placing art just 2-3″ below the ceiling creates a disconnected look. For proper visual connection, keep art 8-12″ below the ceiling and 6-10″ above the headboard.
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Wrong proportions – A very tall, narrow piece (like 24″x48″) looks unbalanced above a wide king bed. Match your art’s proportions to your bed’s rectangular shape for visual harmony.
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Poor lighting – Art with glass frames directly opposite windows creates mirror-like glare. Install picture lights or position art where natural light enhances rather than obscures it.
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Ignoring the room’s style – Hanging bright, bold abstract art in a calm, traditional bedroom creates visual conflict. Choose art with at least some colors or elements that connect to your existing decor.
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Hanging without measuring – Approximating “the middle” often results in art that’s 3-4″ off-center. Measure from both sides to find the true center of your bed and mark your hanging spots with a pencil or tape.
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Using weak hanging hardware – Using just a nail for a heavy canvas can lead to middle-of-the-night crashes. For anything over 10 pounds, use wall anchors or picture-hanging hooks rated for the weight.
Conclusion
Selecting the right art for above your king bed doesn’t need to be complicated.
By keeping a few key points in mind—proper size, height, and style—you can create a bedroom that feels both comfortable and well put together.
Remember that your art should be about two-thirds the width of your bed, hung 6-10 inches above your headboard, and should reflect your taste.
Don’t be afraid to try different options before making holes in your wall.
A bit of planning now means you’ll enjoy your bedroom art for years to come.
The perfect art above your bed isn’t just about filling space—it’s about creating a room that feels truly yours, a place where you can rest and recharge in a setting that brings you joy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the 2/3 Rule for Art?
The 2/3 rule suggests that art above a bed should be about two-thirds the width of the bed for proper visual balance.
How Many Inches to Hang Art Above the Bed?
Hang art 6-10 inches above your headboard to create a visual connection without too much empty space.
Should Art Be Wider than Bed?
No, art should not be wider than your bed. Aim for about 60-75% of your bed’s width for the best look.
