How to Choose the Right Size Wall Portrait for Your Home

One of the most common questions I hear is, "What size portrait should we get?"

The honest answer? It depends on the space.

People are often looking for a simple rule of thumb, but choosing the right wall portrait is a lot like choosing the right piece of furniture. Every room is different. Every wall is different. Even two fireplaces that are exactly the same size can call for completely different artwork if one room has standard ceilings and the other has soaring twenty-foot ceilings.

That's why I don't believe in one-size-fits-all advice. What I do believe in is experience.

The Most Common Mistake

As a Plano family photographer, I've spent years helping hundreds of families choose artwork for their homes, and I've learned that the biggest mistake people make is almost always the same: they choose too small.

A 16x20 portrait sounds large when you're holding it in your hands. Once it's hanging over a fireplace or behind a sofa, though, it can suddenly feel tiny and lost.

I've never had a client call me and say, "Larry, I wish we'd gone smaller." I have, however, had clients move a portrait to a smaller wall because it wasn't large enough for their original space - and some have even reordered the same portrait in a larger size after living with it for a while.

That's one reason I spend so much time helping clients make this decision.

It's Not About Selling the Biggest Piece

Contrary to what some people assume, my goal isn't to sell the biggest portrait possible. There have been plenty of times I've talked someone into buying a smaller piece because it was simply the right fit for their home. Building trust is far more important than making a few extra dollars on an oversized order.

Seeing It on the Wall Before You Decide

During your image presentation, I project your portraits above the fireplace in my viewing room. As you sit on the sofa looking across the room, it becomes much easier to imagine what that artwork would actually feel like in your own home. Sometimes I'll ask if your fireplace is about the same size as mine, or whether your room feels larger or smaller. Those conversations help us arrive at the right choice together.

A wall portrait isn't something you'll enjoy for a few months. If we've done our job well, it will hang in your home for years, quietly becoming part of your family's story.

That's why it's worth taking the time to get the size right the first time.

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Want to start planning your next family heirloom?
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