Art Sizing & Room Buying Guide
Michael Godard limited editions come in a wide range of sizes, from smaller G editions around 17.5" wide up to large Mural editions, so the right size for your space depends on the wall it's going on and the furniture beneath it, not just personal taste. Here's how to pick a size with confidence.
General Sizing Rule of Thumb
A common framing guideline is to size art to roughly 60-75% of the width of the furniture or wall segment it's paired with. Over a sofa or console table, measure the furniture's width first, multiply it by 0.60 and by 0.75, and choose an edition whose width falls between those two numbers: a piece that's too small will look lost, while one that's too large can overwhelm the furniture beneath it. Measure the artwork's horizontal width in its intended display orientation. Confirm which listed measurement is the width if the dimensions are not explicitly labeled. Include the frame and mat in the outer width. A portrait artwork 28 inches wide and 42 inches high remains 28 inches wide before framing. For a group of pieces, the overall width includes the gaps between the pieces, so measure from the outer edge of the first piece to the outer edge of the last.
Sizing by Room
Living Room, Above a Sofa: Choose the edition by its listed width, using the sofa calculation below. Larger Signed and Numbered, Artist Proof and Mural editions, and large metal editions where a title is offered on metal, work as a central focal point over a standard-depth sofa.
Home Bar or Entertainment Space: Godard's cocktail, wine, and party-culture pieces are a natural fit here: a mid-size Signed and Numbered or Artist Proof edition gives a strong focal point without requiring a large wall.
Home Office or Study: The smaller G editions suit a desk wall or a gallery arrangement of multiple smaller pieces.
Large Great Room or Stairwell: Choose one of the larger listed sizes, such as a Mural edition, for a wall that needs to hold its own from across a big room. Larger sizes are offered on canvas, and on metal for some titles, so check the exact edition on the product page.
Gallery Wall Arrangement: Mixing G editions of two or three different pieces at a consistent size creates a curated, cohesive gallery-wall look at a lower total cost than a single large piece.
Measuring Before You Buy
Before choosing a size, measure the wall space and any furniture beneath it, then use painter's tape to outline the piece's actual dimensions directly on the wall; this gives a much more accurate sense of scale than picturing it from a product photo alone. Leave roughly 6-12 inches of breathing room between the top of a piece and the ceiling or crown molding, and hang artwork so its center sits at approximately eye level (around 57-60 inches from the floor to the center of the piece) for a standing viewer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size should I buy for above a standard sofa?
Use the 60-75% width guideline. For a 72 inch sofa, the art should be about 43.2 to 54 inches wide (72 x 0.60 = 43.2; 72 x 0.75 = 54). For an 84 inch sofa, about 50.4 to 63 inches wide (84 x 0.60 = 50.4; 84 x 0.75 = 63). Across the whole 72-84 inch range that is roughly 43.2 to 63 inches. A portrait 28" x 42" artwork is 28 inches wide before framing, so by itself it falls below this guideline over a 72-84 inch sofa. Framing adds to the outer width (a frame 3 inches wide on each side adds 6 inches, for example), and that framed width is the number to compare with the range. For a sofa this size, look at editions with a listed width of roughly 43 inches or more, such as a Mural edition, or hang a group of pieces together so that their combined width, including the gaps between pieces, falls in the range. Check the exact dimensions of the specific edition on the product page.
Does a metal edition mean a larger artwork?
No. Metal is a material, not a size. Sizes are set by the individual edition: large canvas Mural editions exist, and some metal editions are small, such as the 18" x 26" G edition on metal of Calvary. Always compare the listed dimensions of the exact edition.
Is the G edition too small for a main wall?
The G edition works best as a secondary piece, in a gallery-wall grouping, or in a smaller room like a home office; for a large, prominent wall, compare the listed widths of the Signed and Numbered, Artist Proof or Mural editions of the same title.
How high should I hang my artwork?
A common standard is to center the piece at approximately 57-60 inches from the floor to the middle of the artwork, which approximates average eye level for a standing adult.
Can I mix sizes and edition types on one wall?
Yes, many collectors mix a larger centerpiece with one or two smaller G editions to create a layered gallery-wall arrangement.
See our canvas, paper and metal guide to decide which material fits your space, or the edition types guide for a breakdown of the edition types.
Last reviewed: October 6, 2026