When a large print is right
Artwork should cover about two thirds of the furniture it hangs above. Over a three-seater of roughly 210 cm that means about 140 cm of artwork — and even a 70x100 is on the small side alone there. For that wall, one 70x100 with room around it, or two 50x70 side by side, is what fills the space.
Above a chest of drawers, a desk or in a narrow hallway, 50x70 is usually enough. A print that is too big for its wall looks as wrong as one that is too small.
Motifs that suit a large size
Not every motif improves when it grows. Landscapes, coastlines and photographs with depth gain the most — the detail on the horizon is the whole point, and it disappears at small sizes. Abstract textures and calm paintings also work well large, because they behave almost like a field of colour.
Simple illustrations and typography are made to be read up close and rarely improve at 70x100. They belong at 30x40 and 21x30.
Paper for large prints
Matte paper is usually the right choice for a large print. It has no reflections, and that matters more the larger the surface — especially on a wall lit from a window. The paper guide covers the difference between the finishes.
How high to hang a large print
The centre of the artwork should sit about 150 cm above the floor, whatever the size. Above a sofa or bed, 20–30 cm between the furniture and the bottom edge is a better starting point. With a 70x100 that can put the centre a little above 150 cm, and that is fine.
A large print is heavy once framed. Use two fixing points in the wall rather than one so it hangs straight and does not tilt.
