Sizing and Placement Guide

Most of the trouble with home decor comes down to scale. Here is how we size the pieces we sell so they land right the first time. Measure the space before you buy, and measure the wall again before you drill.

Throws

For a standard three seat sofa, a throw around 50 by 60 inches covers the back or one arm without pooling on the floor. For a queen bed, look for 60 by 80 inches or larger if you want the throw to fall over both sides. Anything under 50 inches wide tends to read as a lap blanket rather than a layer.

Wall planters and shelves

Above a console, hang the centre of the piece about 24 to 30 inches above the table top. Above a sofa, leave 8 to 10 inches between the top of the sofa back and the bottom of the piece. As a general rule, the centre of a single wall piece sits near 57 to 60 inches from the floor, which is roughly eye level for most people.

Spacing a pair or a trio

Keep 2 to 3 inches between small pieces and 4 to 6 inches between larger ones. Treat the group as one shape rather than as separate items, and keep the whole arrangement no wider than about two thirds of the furniture below it.

Table runners and placemats

A six seat table is usually 70 to 72 inches long. A runner of 90 inches gives you a comfortable 9 inch drop at each end. Standard placemats run 12 by 18 inches, which seats six around that table without crowding.

Bedside lamps

Aim for a lamp between 24 and 27 inches tall overall. The bottom of the shade should sit near shoulder height when you are sitting up in bed, so the light falls on a page instead of in your eyes.

Before you drill

Check the wall for pipes and wiring, confirm what the wall is made of, and use a fixing rated for the weight of the piece.