Quick answer: Make the art about two-thirds to three-quarters of the bed's width and hang it with the bottom edge 6–10 in (15–25 cm) above the headboard. Over a queen bed (60 in / 152 cm wide) that's art about 40–45 in (102–114 cm) wide; over a king (76 in / 193 cm), about 51–57 in (129–145 cm).
How Big Should Art Above a Bed Be?
The art, or the whole group of frames, should span about two-thirds to three-quarters of the mattress width. Narrower and it looks lost; wider and it looks top-heavy. Measure the mattress rather than the bed frame: headboards vary, but mattress sizes are standard.
| Bed | Mattress width | Art width (⅔ to ¾) |
|---|---|---|
| United States | ||
| Twin / Twin XL | 38 in (97 cm) | 25–28½ in (64–72 cm) |
| Full / Double | 54 in (137 cm) | 36–40½ in (91–103 cm) |
| Queen | 60 in (152 cm) | 40–45 in (102–114 cm) |
| King | 76 in (193 cm) | 51–57 in (129–145 cm) |
| California King | 72 in (183 cm) | 48–54 in (122–137 cm) |
| Australia & New Zealand | ||
| Single | 92 cm (36 in) | 61–69 cm (24–27 in) |
| King Single | 107 cm (42 in) | 71–80 cm (28–32 in) |
| Double | 138 cm (54 in) | 92–104 cm (36–41 in) |
| Queen | 153 cm (60 in) | 102–115 cm (40–45 in) |
| King | 183 cm (72 in) | 122–137 cm (48–54 in) |
| Super King | 203 cm (80 in) | 135–152 cm (53–60 in) |
| United Kingdom | ||
| Single | 90 cm (35 in) | 60–68 cm (24–27 in) |
| Small Double | 120 cm (47 in) | 80–90 cm (31½–35 in) |
| Double | 135 cm (53 in) | 90–101 cm (35–40 in) |
| King | 150 cm (59 in) | 100–112 cm (39–44 in) |
| Super King | 180 cm (71 in) | 120–135 cm (47–53 in) |
Landscape art, or a group arranged into a wide shape, suits most beds. Portrait (tall) art only works with a low headboard and plenty of wall above it.
Detailed guides: Art above a queen bed · Art above a king bed
How High to Hang Art Above a Bed
Leave 6–10 in (15–25 cm) between the top of the headboard and the bottom of the art. Closer to 6 in ties the art to the bed; go toward 10 in if you sit up against the headboard to read, so your head stays clear of the frame.
No headboard?
Measure from the top of the pillows propped up the way you sit against them, and leave 8–10 in (20–25 cm) above that. A quick check: sit up in bed, and the art should start a few inches above your head.
Tall headboards
If the headboard reaches within about 2 ft (60 cm) of the ceiling, there isn't room for large art. Choose a shorter, wider piece or a row of small frames, keep the 6 in gap above the headboard, and leave breathing room below the ceiling.
Center it on the bed
Center the art on the bed, not the wall: if the bed is off-center on the wall, the art should be too. With bedside lamps or wall lights, check the art clears them and sits centered between them.
Art Layouts Above a Bed
- One large piece: the simplest and calmest look. Aim for the top of the width range.
- A pair: two matching frames side by side, 2–3 in (5–8 cm) apart. Treat the pair as one piece when you check the width.
- A row of three: identical frames with equal gaps. The picture spacing calculator gives every nail position.
- A gallery wall: mixed frames grouped into a wide rectangle no wider than about three-quarters of the bed. Plan it with the gallery wall layout calculator.
- A picture ledge: a shelf you lean frames on. Easy to restyle, and only the shelf needs fixing. Choose one with a deep lip and keep the frames light.
Worked Example: Art Over a Queen Bed
A queen bed is 60 in (152 cm) wide, so art 40–45 in (102–114 cm) wide suits it. Say you have a 40 × 30 in landscape frame, the top of the headboard is 48 in (122 cm) from the floor, and the wire pulls up to 4 in (10 cm) below the top of the frame (the hook drop).
- Bottom of the art: 48 in + an 8 in gap = 56 in from the floor
- Top of the art: 56 + 30 = 86 in
- Nail height: 86 − 4 in hook drop = 82 in (208 cm)
- Side to side: on the bed's center line
Keeping Art Above a Bed Safe
Art over a bed hangs above sleeping heads, so it's the one place to over-engineer the fixings.
Hang from two hooks or D-rings into studs or anchors rated for at least twice the weight. Choose acrylic glazing or canvas instead of glass, and closed or safety hooks in kids' rooms and earthquake-prone areas.
Hang heavy glass-fronted frames from a single nail, or rely on adhesive strips above a bed. A frame that drops at night lands where you're lying.
The two-hook calculator gives both nail positions, and how to hang a mirror covers fixings for drywall, studs and brick, which apply just as much to heavy art.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big should art be over a queen bed?
About 40–45 in (102–114 cm) wide: two-thirds to three-quarters of the 60 in (152 cm) mattress. An Australian queen is 153 cm wide, so the same 102–115 cm (40–45 in).
How big should art be over a king bed?
About 51–57 in (129–145 cm) wide for a US king (76 in / 193 cm). For a California king (72 in) or an Australian king (183 cm), about 48–54 in (122–137 cm).
How high should a picture be above a bed?
Leave 6–10 in (15–25 cm) between the top of the headboard and the bottom of the frame. Without a headboard, keep the art a few inches above your head when you sit up in bed.
Should art above a bed be wider than the bed?
No. Art wider than the bed looks top-heavy. Keep it, or the whole group of frames, to two-thirds to three-quarters of the mattress width.
Should art above a bed be centered on the wall or the bed?
On the bed. If the bed is off-center on the wall, center the art on the bed anyway, so the two read as one.
Is it safe to hang art above a bed?
Yes, with the right fixings: two hooks into studs or anchors rated for at least twice the weight, and acrylic or canvas rather than heavy glass. Avoid single nails and adhesive strips over a bed.
Get the Exact Size and Height
Enter your bed and frame sizes to get the right art width and the exact nail position above the headboard.
Open the Art Above Bed & Couch Calculator