You've picked the poster, you've picked the frame — and then you stare at your wall for twenty minutes wondering if 16×24" will look tiny or perfect.
The Two-Thirds Rule
Here's the formula designers actually use: your art should be roughly two-thirds the width of whatever's below it. Hanging above a sofa? Measure the sofa's width, multiply by 0.66, and that's your target. Above a console table? Same maths. Above nothing, on an empty wall? Ignore this rule entirely — go big.
For our poster sizes, that works out like this:
- 8×12" (20×30 cm) — works above a bedside table, on a shelf, or as part of a gallery wall grouping
- 16×24" (40×60 cm) — the all-rounder, works above desks, in hallways, or paired side-by-side above a sofa
- 24×36" (60×90 cm) — statement piece, needs a wall to itself or a very large piece of furniture beneath it
Room by Room
Living room: Go 24×36" if it's the only art on that wall, or two 16×24" posters side by side for the gallery look. The Piccadilly Circus poster at full size is the kind of piece that anchors an entire room.
Bedroom: 16×24" above the headboard is the sweet spot. It's large enough to see from across the room but doesn't overwhelm a space meant for sleeping. Hampstead or Notting Hill Gate — something with warmth.
Hallway: 8×12" framed, in a vertical line of two or three. Hallways are narrow so you want art that draws the eye without making the space feel tighter. Try a sequence — Angel, Old Street, King's Cross — stations on the same line.
Kitchen: 8×12" framed on a shelf or mounted. Kitchens are humid, so framed is better than unframed for longevity. Brick Lane in the kitchen feels right — food neighbourhood energy.
Our Piccadilly Circus poster — a full-size 24×36" makes a proper statement.
Framed vs Unframed
Framing changes everything about how a poster reads in a room. An unframed 24×36" poster pinned to the wall says "student flat" — the same poster in a frame says "I have opinions about interiors."
We offer wooden and black frames in 8×12" and 16×24". The 24×36" is unframed only, which keeps the price at £39.99 and gives you the option to choose your own frame locally. If you're going custom, measure the poster first — off-the-shelf frames rarely fit non-standard sizes exactly.
Pro Tip: Use painter's tape to mark out the poster dimensions on your wall before ordering. Stand back, squint, and live with it for a day. This five-minute trick has saved more returns than any sizing guide ever written.
Can I hang a poster without damaging the wall?
For unframed posters, use poster strips (Command Strips or similar) — they hold well and peel off clean. For framed posters, a single picture hook is enough for 8×12", and two hooks spaced apart work better for 16×24" to keep it level.
What's the difference between the wooden and black frame?
Both are the same style — clean, minimal, no ornate detail. The wooden frame has a natural light wood finish that works well with warm interiors. The black frame is sharper and suits modern, minimalist spaces. Both have glass fronts.