Nursery Wall Art: Picking the Right Size Made Easy
First off, I would love to wish you a huge congratulations on your little one! Decorating a nursery is very exciting, but also a little overwhelming. One of the most common questions I hear from expecting parents decorating their baby’s nursery is: What size artwork should I get? The right size can make all the difference in creating a balanced, cozy, and visually appealing space. While every nursery is unique, there are a few simple guidelines that can help you find the perfect fit for your walls.
Finding the Right Size for Your Space
Before selecting artwork, take a moment to assess your nursery’s layout. Here are a few key factors to consider:
Room Size Matters
Larger nurseries (or playrooms) typically need bigger artwork to maintain a sense of proportion, while smaller spaces benefit from more petite pieces that don’t overwhelm the room. If your nursery has high ceilings, a taller piece or vertical arrangement can help fill the space beautifully.
2. Measure Your Available Wall Space
Look at the wall you plan to decorate and consider what’s already there—cribs, dressers, bookshelves, or rocking chairs. The space not blocked by furniture is your available wall space.
A great rule of thumb:
Artwork should fill about 60-75% of that open wall area to create a well-balanced look.
For example:
If your available wall space measures 8 feet wide by 6 feet tall, multiply both dimensions by 0.60 and 0.75:
• Width of artwork: 4.8 to 6 feet
• Height of artwork: 3.6 to 4.5 feet
So you would need something approximately 60”x 48”. This gives you a general range to work with when choosing prints, canvases, or framed pieces.
3. Hanging Art Over Furniture
If you’re placing artwork over a crib, dresser, or glider, use the furniture’s width as a guide. The piece (or grouping) should be 60-75% of the furniture’s width.
For example
A standard crib size is almost 6 feet wide, so the artwork should ideally be between 40” to 54” for the best visual balance. A lot of artwork options come in 36” wide, which would work well, especially if you add a mat/frame.
When it comes to height, a good rule is to hang the bottom edge of the artwork 6 to 12 inches above the furniture and aim to keep the center of the piece at eye level. Like mentioned above, if you have taller ceilings, aim for a piece that is square or vertical. If you have shorter ceiling, you can get away with a cozier look by choosing a 36” wide x 24” tall piece.
Some of my favorite sizes for a single piece of artwork above a crib is: 60”x40” (for a statement), 36”x36”, and 30”x40”.
I also love pairings like 3 18”x36”s, 2 20”x40”s, and 3 framed 16”x20”s.
As you can see from the above below, if you love an11x14 print for above your crib, I’d encourage you to get a set of 2-3 11x14s and add a mat to the frame to fill the space more appropriately.
Other Considerations for Nursery Artwork
What’s the Focal Point?
the crib
If you want the crib to be the main focus of the room, choose a larger piece above it to anchor the space.
dresser or glider
If the dresser or glider is the highlight, consider placing a statement piece or a gallery wall above it instead.
the artwork
Want the artwork itself to be the star? Go bold with an oversized piece! If you prefer a softer, layered look, a gallery wall of smaller prints might be the perfect solution.
One Statement Piece vs. a Gallery Wall
If your ideal artwork size falls in the 5 feet wide by 4 feet tall range, you have two beautiful options—it just depends on your personal style!
A single statement piece that fills that space
We chose to go BIG with our nursery artwork with 3 framed 24”x72” prints. Reach out if you would like to create a custom print size like this piece!
2. A gallery wall
For this option, you will want to use multiple smaller prints that, together, take up the same dimensions. I offer a few pieces that pair perfectly together!
Trust Your Instincts
At the end of the day, these are just guidelines—your personal style and preferences should lead the way. Choose artwork that brings you joy and makes the nursery feel warm and inviting.
Remember, the right piece will grow with your child, becoming a special part of their space for years to come. If you’re unsure about sizing, feel free to reach out—we’d love to help you find the perfect fit!
I can’t wait to see your dream nursery come to life!!