The space above your furniture often feels like the last piece of the puzzle — a blank wall that can either make or break the harmony of a room. Whether it’s above a sofa, bed, or sideboard, what you hang there has the power to balance the entire space.
At Atelier Printworks, our horizontal wall art is thoughtfully designed for real interiors — long, refined compositions that fill these spaces without feeling heavy or overbearing. If you’ve ever wondered how to get the proportions just right, or which styles and frames work best, here’s your guide to creating that perfectly balanced look.
1. Why horizontal art works so well above furniture
Horizontal art follows the natural line of furniture — it mirrors the landscape of your room. A well-placed horizontal print creates visual stability, linking the furniture and wall together as one continuous design element.
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Over a sofa or bed, it extends the visual width and anchors the wall.
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Above a sideboard or console, it draws the eye horizontally, creating flow.
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In open-plan spaces, it helps define zones subtly without dividing them.
2. Finding the right proportions
Proportion is everything when styling art above furniture. The general rule is to choose artwork that’s around two-thirds the width of the furniture below it.
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For a standard sofa (around 210 cm), aim for prints between 130–160 cm wide.
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For a queen bed, 120–140 cm works beautifully.
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For smaller sideboards or entry tables, 80–100 cm maintains visual balance.
Atelier Printworks’ horizontal formats are specifically designed to fit these proportions, so you can find a perfect match without overcompensating on size.
3. Frame tones that complement your furniture
Your frame acts as a bridge between the artwork and the furniture finish below it. Matching or contrasting with intention brings harmony to the overall palette.
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Wood frames pair beautifully with timber furniture or neutral textures — they add warmth and a natural flow.
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Black frames create crisp contrast and a touch of definition, perfect for contemporary spaces.
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White frames keep things light and airy — ideal for Scandinavian or coastal interiors.
4. Curating mood and movement
The mood of your horizontal art shapes the atmosphere of the entire room.
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Calming neutrals or misty landscapes encourage relaxation — perfect for bedrooms.
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Organic abstracts with flowing forms bring gentle energy to living areas.
- Soft geometry or texture helps create visual rhythm without clutter.
5. Placement tips: getting it right every time
A few thoughtful placement details make all the difference:
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Hang the artwork so the centre sits around 145–150 cm from the floor, or about 15–20 cm above furniture tops.
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Keep surrounding décor minimal.
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In larger spaces, consider a pair of narrow horizontal prints to create symmetry and flow.
6. Combine light and texture for balance
Lighting can transform the mood of wall art. Use warm, indirect light to bring out texture and tone — especially in pieces with soft gradients or metallic details.
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Wall sconces or picture lights add focus and intimacy.
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Natural daylight enhances light-toned artwork and wood frames.
- For evening ambiance, use warm LED lamps nearby for gentle glow.
Final thoughts
Horizontal wall art is more than just decoration — it’s a design anchor that brings proportion, calm, and continuity to your home. When chosen thoughtfully, it ties your furniture, wall, and room together.
At Atelier Printworks, our collection of long horizontal prints is created to fit perfectly above sofas, beds, and sideboards.
Explore the Horizontal Wall Art Collection →
