How high to hang art above a bed
Updated 2026-10-24
Leave 6–10 in (15–25 cm) above the headboard, and make the art or group about two-thirds the width of the bed.
Quick sizes
| Bed | Bed width | Art or group width |
|---|---|---|
| Double / full | 54 in (137 cm) | ~36 in (90 cm) |
| Queen | 60 in (153 cm) | ~40 in (100 cm) |
| King | 76 in (193 cm) | ~50 in (130 cm) |
No headboard?
Measure from the top of the mattress instead and start the art 18–24 in (45–60 cm) above it, so pillows and your head clear the frame.
Layouts that suit a bed wall
- One large piece centred on the bed.
- Two or three in a row with 2–3 in (5–8 cm) gaps.
- A low grid of 4–6 matching frames for a hotel look.
Lintel turns those rules into exact nail positions on a photo of your own wall. Try Lintel's gallery wall layouts.
Frequently asked questions
How high above a headboard should art go?
Leave 6–10 in (15–25 cm) between the top of the headboard and the bottom of the frame. Go to the lower end with tall ceilings disappearing and the higher end if you sit up in bed.
How wide should art over a bed be?
Aim for about two-thirds of the bed's width: roughly 40 in (100 cm) over a queen and 50 in (130 cm) over a king.
Is it safe to hang heavy art over a bed?
Use two fixings into studs or rated anchors, D-rings rather than wire, and consider security hangers. Avoid glass over a bed in earthquake-prone areas.