Art Above the Bed: Size, Height and Pairs That Work
Art above a bed looks best at about 2/3 to 3/4 the width of the bed, hung with the bottom edge 6 to 12 inches above the headboard, so a queen bed wants art or a grouping about 40 inches wide and a king bed about 50 to 57 inches wide. That is the whole formula, and it works for a single painting or a set of smaller ones. I paint mostly small and medium originals here in South Florida, so most of this guide is about pairs and rows of framed pieces, which happen to be my favorite way to dress the wall above a bed.
How Big Should Art Above a Bed Be?
Start with the width of your bed or headboard, then multiply by 2/3. That number is your target width for the art. If you like a fuller look, go up to 3/4. Standard mattress widths make the math easy:
- Full bed (54 inches): art about 36 to 40 inches wide.
- Queen bed (60 inches): art about 40 to 45 inches wide.
- King bed (76 inches): art about 50 to 57 inches wide.
If your headboard is wider than the mattress, measure the headboard instead. Height matters less than width over a bed, since the wall above a headboard is usually shorter than an open wall, but aim for art that is shorter than it is wide so the wall still feels open overhead.
These are the same proportions I use for art over a couch, and my 3 simple rules for hanging art cover scale for the rest of the house.
How High to Hang Art Above a Bed
Hang the bottom edge of the art 6 to 12 inches above the top of the headboard. If you have no headboard, measure from the top of the mattress or pillows and leave about 10 to 12 inches, so you can sit up and lean back without bumping a frame.
On an open wall, I center art at 57 to 60 inches from the floor. Above a bed, the furniture sets the height instead, and the art should feel connected to the headboard. Hung too high, wall art above a bed floats off on its own. Hung in that 6 to 12 inch band, the bed and the art read as one arrangement.
The Math for Pairs and Rows of Small Originals
Here is something that surprises people: small originals grow when you frame them. An 11×14 painting on paper with a mat goes into a 16×20 frame. So a painting that fits on your lap becomes a piece with real presence on the wall, and 2 or 3 of them can fill the space above a bed beautifully.
To figure out a grouping, treat it as one piece. Add up the frame widths, then add the gaps. I like 2 to 4 inches between frames, and 3 inches is my usual.
A pair of framed 16x20s for a full or queen bed
Hang 2 framed 16x20s vertically, side by side, with 3 inches between them:
16 + 3 + 16 = 35 inches wide, 20 inches tall.
Over a full bed (54 inches), 2/3 is 36, so a 35-inch pair is right on target. Over a queen (60 inches), 2/3 is 40. The vertical pair still looks lovely there, or turn both frames horizontal for 20 + 3 + 20 = 43 inches, which lands inside the queen range.
A row of 3 framed 16x20s for a king bed
Hang 3 framed 16x20s vertically in a row, with 3 inches between each:
16 + 3 + 16 + 3 + 16 = 54 inches wide, 20 inches tall.
A king bed is 76 inches wide. 2/3 of 76 is about 50, and 3/4 is 57, so a 54-inch row sits comfortably in the middle. That is the ideal art size above a king bed for a low, wide wall, and it gives you 3 paintings to enjoy instead of 1.
Measure your own wall
Measure your headboard, multiply by 2/3, and write that number down. Then add your frame widths plus 3 inches for each gap until you get close. Trace each frame on kraft paper, cut the pieces out and tape them up above the bed before you pick up a hammer. Live with the paper for a day or 2. You can also mock up framed art on your own wall from a photo of the room.
Choosing Decor Above the Bed That Feels Restful
A bedroom is the one room where the art is the last thing you see at night and the first thing you see in the morning. I lean toward softer palettes and botanical subjects here: a pair of florals, a few orchid studies, a row of loose coastal landscapes. Matching frames hold a pair or row together, even when the paintings themselves differ in subject or color.
For wall decor above the bed, a few simple choices go a long way:
- Repeat a color from your bedding or curtains somewhere in the art.
- Keep frames consistent in finish and width across a pair or row. Try a Frame lets you preview frame colors on a painting first.
- Center the grouping on the bed, even if the bed is off center on the wall.
A Stacked Pair Beside the Bed
When the wall above the headboard has a window, a tall headboard or a sloped ceiling, move the art to the side. 2 framed pieces stacked over a nightstand fill that narrow wall and still read as part of the bed. Keep the center of the stack near 57 to 60 inches and line its outer edge up with the nightstand.
One large canvas works too, if you have one you love. For more ideas on which floral piece suits which room, see Floral Wall Art: Which Piece Goes Where.
Hanging Art Above a Bed Safely
Art over a sleeping spot needs a little more care than art over a sofa. A few habits keep it secure:
- Use secure hardware. Screw into a stud where you can, or use a wall anchor rated well above the weight of the frame. Skip single nails and sawtooth hangers.
- Use 2 hooks per frame. D-rings on each side, hung on 2 hooks, keep a frame level and make it much harder to knock loose.
- Choose lighter frames. Over a bed, I like slim wood frames and acrylic glazing in place of glass on works on paper. A 16×20 framed this way is light and easy to hang.
- Add bumpers on the bottom corners so the frames stay flat against the wall.
How to frame original artwork covers what canvas, board and paper each need.
Frequently Asked Questions About Art Above the Bed
What size art goes above a queen bed?
About 40 to 45 inches wide, which is 2/3 to 3/4 of a 60-inch queen. A pair of framed 16x20s with a 3-inch gap measures 35 inches hung vertically or 43 inches hung horizontally.
What is the ideal art size above a king bed?
About 50 to 57 inches wide. A row of 3 framed 16x20s with 3 inches between them measures 54 inches, a comfortable fit for a 76-inch king.
How high should art be above a headboard?
Hang the bottom edge 6 to 12 inches above the top of the headboard. With no headboard, leave about 10 to 12 inches above the pillows.
Is it safe to hang art above a bed?
Yes, with secure hardware. Use studs or rated anchors, 2 hooks per frame, lighter frames and acrylic glazing in place of glass.
How far apart should a pair of frames be above a bed?
2 to 4 inches. I use 3 inches most often, close enough that the pair reads as one piece. For bigger groupings, see these gallery wall layouts and my guide on how to decorate a large wall.
If you are looking for a pair or a row for your own bedroom wall, you are welcome to explore my original paintings and see which ones feel like home.