Planning the Size and Placement of Your Portrait Wall Art

There’s nothing quite like seeing portraits from a photography session displayed on your walls—whether it’s a photoshoot with your horse, animal fine art photography, or senior portraits. These images tell a story, preserve cherished memories, and bring life and personality to your space. Choosing the right size of artwork and placing it thoughtfully ensures your portraits make an impact and feel intentionally curated.

It’s easy to underestimate the size of wall art needed to fill a space comfortably. A reliable guideline is for the artwork to span 60–75% of the width of the furniture it will hang above, whether that’s a sofa, bed, console, or mantle. For example, a 60-inch sofa would pair well with artwork 36 to 45 inches wide. To visualize the scale before hanging, we may consider taking a photo of the space to use as a starting point for comparison.

When it comes to height, a good place to begin is to position the center of the artwork approximately 57 inches from the floor, which aligns with average eye level. The gap between the top of the furniture and the bottom of the frame should typically be 4–8 inches, depending on furniture height and ceiling proportions. For taller ceilings or larger walls, slightly increasing this distance can help maintain visual balance.

Gallery walls require a bit more planning to maintain cohesion. Keep 2–5 inches of space between frames so the arrangement reads as a single, intentional unit rather than scattered pieces. Lay the frames on the floor first or outline them on the wall with painter’s tape to experiment with placement before committing to nails or hooks. Step back frequently and view the arrangement from multiple angles—sometimes small adjustments to height, spacing, or alignment make a significant difference.

Taking the time to plan proportion, spacing, and layout ensures your wall art enhances the room’s design rather than feeling arbitrary. With thoughtful placement, your animal or senior portraits can become a striking centerpiece or an elegant gallery wall that reflects both your personal style and the artistry of the photography.

Katie Williams – K. Williams Photography – A Georgia senior, equine, livestock, and pet photographer. I'm happy to serve you, transforming deeply valued parts of your life into a custom-tailored experience and lasting artwork. Explore my site or contact me to discover the best ways we can work together.