Dining room featuring a big wall art canvas

Dining Room Wall Art Sizing Guide

A balanced approach based on table size and wall layout. 

Dining rooms benefit from clarity.
They’re social spaces, but visually they work best when the walls feel composed, grounded, and intentional — not busy.

Unlike living rooms, dining room art doesn’t compete with a sofa. Instead, it usually relates to a dining table, sideboard, or open wall, which changes how scale is perceived.

This guide explains how to choose the right wall art size for dining rooms using only the canvas sizes we offer, with options for both horizontal and vertical placement.

Start With the Dining Table or Sideboard

In dining rooms, artwork is most often placed:

  • above a sideboard or buffet
  • centered on a feature wall near the table
  • on an adjacent wall visible while seated

A widely used design guideline still applies:

Artwork should span about 60–75% of the width of the furniture beneath it (if present).

Standard Dining Table (60–72″ wide)

This is the most common dining setup in homes and apartments.

Best as a Main Focal Point

24″ × 36″ (Horizontal)

  • Works beautifully above a sideboard or buffet
  • Feels balanced on a feature wall near the dining table
  • Anchors the space without overwhelming it

This size provides enough width to feel intentional while keeping the room open and comfortable for conversation.

Placement tip:
If hanging above a sideboard, leave 6–8 inches between the top of the furniture and the bottom of the artwork.

Larger Dining Tables (72–84″ and up)

Larger tables often sit in more open rooms or open-concept layouts.

How 24″ × 36″ Works Here

Rather than acting as a bold statement, this size functions as a refined visual anchor.

It works especially well when:

  • the room has layered elements (lighting, chairs, rugs)
  • the wall includes windows or architectural breaks
  • the goal is an elegant, understated dining atmosphere

In these spaces, designers often prefer restraint to avoid making the dining area feel heavy.

Vertical Artwork in Dining Rooms

Vertical canvases are excellent in dining rooms, especially when wall width is limited or ceilings are taller.

24″ × 30″ (Vertical)

A refined statement without crowding

Best for:

  • narrow dining rooms
  • tall walls beside the table
  • spaces where you want to emphasize height

This size adds presence and sophistication without competing with the table.

16″ × 20″ (Vertical)

Balanced and flexible

Best for:

  • dining nooks
  • walls between windows
  • paired placements on wider dining walls

This size feels intentional but keeps the room light and welcoming.

12″ × 16″ (Vertical)

Subtle accents

Best for:

  • small dining corners
  • walls near bar carts or shelving
  • layered arrangements with mirrors or lighting

This size is best used as a supporting element rather than a main focal point.

Dining Room Walls Without Furniture Below

For blank walls where no sideboard or console is present:

  • Aim for artwork that fills 50–65% of the wall width
  • Let the table visually ground the space instead

Here, a 24″ × 36″ horizontal works well when the wall is not overly wide, while vertical canvases help narrow dining rooms feel taller.

Vertical vs Horizontal in Dining Rooms

Choose horizontal when:

  • hanging above a sideboard
  • anchoring a long dining wall
  • creating a single, calm focal point

Choose vertical when:

  • the wall is narrow
  • ceilings are higher
  • you want to emphasize height and rhythm

Using both across the room creates balance without visual clutter.

A Simple Dining Room Rule to Remember

Use a 24″ × 36″ horizontal canvas to anchor dining spaces, and vertical canvases to support taller or narrower walls.

This approach keeps dining rooms feeling elegant, comfortable, and well-proportioned.

For spaces with unique proportions, custom sizing may be available — please contact us to discuss.

Final Thought

Dining room wall art should enhance the experience — not distract from it.
When scale and placement are thoughtful, artwork becomes part of the atmosphere rather than a focal interruption.

Choosing pieces that complement the table, lighting, and flow of the room is what gives dining spaces their quiet confidence.

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