How to Choose a Wall Hanging Size
The proportion guide
A wall hanging has two jobs: it brings texture to the surface, and it takes up space in relation to the things around it. Start with those proportions before you settle on a pattern.
1. Measure the wall you can actually use.
Note the width and height of the clear wall area. Include nearby windows, doors, lamps and switches in your plan. If furniture sits below it, measure that furniture too. A photo taken in a large room can make a textile appear smaller than it is.
Mark the proposed corners with removable paper markers suited to your wall finish, or make a paper outline. Stand back from the normal viewing position. You are checking the composition, not marking a mounting point yet.
2. Read what the dimensions include.
Use width first and height second when a product lists them that way. Some pieces give a pole width separately from the textile height, while others list a panel size plus additional tassels. Modern Shape Studies, for example, has a 19.7-by-27.6-inch panel plus 7.9-inch tassels. Include that fringe when planning the lower edge.
For a rod supplied separately, plan its width as well as the textile’s width. Do not use a shipping package measurement as the wall size. Our product Details tables give the available item dimensions.
3. Match the format to the space.
| Wall situation | A useful starting point |
|---|---|
| A slim wall beside a reading chair | A narrow piece such as Citrus Weave, 13.8 × 29.5 inches |
| A tall, clear bedroom wall | A vertical piece such as Ring & Sweep, 35.4 × 51.2 inches |
| A broad area over low furniture | A horizontal piece such as Scalloped Horizon, 43.3 × 32.3 inches |
| A wall with generous height and width | A substantial textile such as Grand Woven Field, 47.2 × 59.1 inches |
These examples describe actual collection dimensions, not a universal fitting rule. Check each product’s latest selection and leave room around its outline.
4. Give the textile some breathing room.
Look at how the hanging sits between nearby objects. The fringe should have a clear visual edge rather than merging into a lamp, a headboard or a shelf. The right amount of space depends on your furniture, ceiling height and the shape of the textile.
5. Decide between one piece and a grouping.
A single broad textile can anchor a seating area. A compact textile can sit within a grouping of art, but leave enough space for the fringe to read as its own shape. Repeat a color or a simple line rather than making every item compete for attention.
Before you choose.
- Confirm the selected size and package contents.
- Allow for a pole or extra fringe where specified.
- Plan mounting hardware separately when it is not included.
- Ask us about an unclear measurement before ordering.