How wide should art be over a sofa?

Measure the furniture, not the whole wall

When art is visually anchored to a sofa, the sofa width is usually the more useful reference. Measure the visible width of the furniture. In this example it is 84 inches.

Calculate a working range

Hangometry uses 60–75% as a practical starting band. It deliberately returns a range because architecture, negative space, frame weight, and personal preference matter.

Include gaps in a multi-panel layout

For three equal pieces with 2-inch gaps, subtract the two gaps from the desired total before dividing by three. At a 56-inch target, each frame would be about 17.3 inches wide.

Test the outline

Tape the full outside rectangle on the wall and view it from the room entrance and normal seating position. Check lamp, window, and ceiling relationships before purchasing frames or drilling.