Quick answer: Choose art about 40–45 in (102–114 cm) wide, two-thirds to three-quarters of the 60 in mattress, and hang it with the bottom edge 6–10 in (15–25 cm) above the headboard. A 40×30 in piece fits well, or two 20×24 in frames side by side, or three 12×16 in.
What Size Art Goes Above a Queen Bed?
Art above a queen bed should be about two-thirds to three-quarters of the mattress's width: 40–45 in (102–114 cm) for a 60 in mattress. Here's how common landscape sizes measure up:
| Art size (landscape) | Share of the width | Fit |
|---|---|---|
| 30 × 20 in (76 × 51 cm) | 50% | Too small |
| 36 × 24 in (91 × 61 cm) | 60% | A little small |
| 40 × 30 in (102 × 76 cm) | 67% | Ideal |
| 48 × 36 in (122 × 91 cm) | 80% | A little large |
A queen is the most common bed size in the US and Australia. A US queen is 60 in wide and an Australian queen 153 cm (60¼ in), so the same art suits both.
Metric sizes
For an Australian queen (153 cm wide), aim for 102–115 cm:
| Art size (landscape) | Share of the width | Fit |
|---|---|---|
| 70 × 50 cm | 46% | Too small |
| 90 × 60 cm | 59% | Too small |
| 100 × 70 cm | 65% | A little small |
| 120 × 80 cm | 78% | A little large |
| 140 × 100 cm | 92% | Too wide |
Two or Three Pictures Above a Queen Bed
A pair or a set of three counts as one piece: measure across all the frames and the gaps between them. Use 2–3 in (5–8 cm) gaps and portrait frames.
| Frames (portrait) | Gap | Total width | Fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Set of three: 11 × 14 in | 2 in | 37 in (94 cm) | A little small |
| Set of three: 12 × 16 in | 2 in | 40 in (102 cm) | Ideal |
| Pair: 18 × 24 in | 3 in | 39 in (99 cm) | A little small |
| Pair: 20 × 24 in | 3 in | 43 in (109 cm) | Ideal |
Planning more frames? The gallery wall layout calculator handles mixed sizes, and how to space 3 pictures covers the gaps.
How High to Hang Art Above a Queen Bed
Leave 6–10 in (15–25 cm) between the headboard and the bottom of the art. This table uses an 8 in gap and a 40×30 in frame whose wire pulls up to 3 in below the top:
| Top of the headboard | Bottom of the art | Top of the art | Nail height |
|---|---|---|---|
| 42 in (107 cm) | 50 in | 80 in | 77 in (196 cm) |
| 48 in (122 cm) | 56 in | 86 in | 83 in (211 cm) |
| 54 in (137 cm) | 62 in | 92 in check ceiling | 89 in (226 cm) |
| 60 in (152 cm) | 68 in | 98 in check ceiling | 95 in (241 cm) |
Leave at least 6 in (15 cm) between the top of the art and the ceiling. On an 8 ft (96 in) ceiling with a tall headboard or couch back, choose a shorter, wider piece or a row of smaller frames.
No headboard? Measure from the top of the pillows propped up the way you sit against them, and leave 8–10 in above that. Center the art on the bed, not the wall.
Worked Example
- A queen bed (60 in wide), with the headboard 44 in from the floor
- Art: 40×30 in landscape (67% of the width), wire 3 in below the top
- Bottom of the art: 44 + 8 in gap = 52 in
- Nail height: 52 + 30 − 3 = 79 in (201 cm), on the bed's center line
Over a bed, hang heavy frames from two hooks into studs or rated anchors, and choose acrylic over glass. More in the safety tips.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size art goes over a queen bed?
About 40–45 in (102–114 cm) wide. A 40×30 in piece fits well, or a pair of 20×24 in frames (43 in with the gap), or three 12×16 in frames (40 in).
How high should art be above a queen bed?
Leave 6–10 in (15–25 cm) between the headboard and the bottom of the art. With the headboard at 44 in, the bottom of the art goes at about 52 in.
Can art be wider than the bed?
It shouldn't be. Art wider than the bed looks top-heavy; keep it, or the whole group, within about three-quarters of the width, 45 in here.
Should art be centered on the wall or the bed?
On the bed. If it's off-center on the wall, center the art on it anyway, so the two read as one.
Get Your Exact Size and Height
Enter your bed and frame sizes to check the art width and get the exact nail position.
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