Guide

Calligraphy Size Guide

Choosing the right size is one of the most important decisions when buying artwork. This guide gives you room-by-room recommendations and practical tips before you order.

Size reference

These are the most common sizes for handmade calligraphy artwork. InkByHand can create pieces in standard sizes or custom dimensions — contact us if you need a specific fit.

SizeDimensionsBest for
Small20 × 30 cm (8 × 12 in)Desk, bedside table, small accent wall, gift, hallway niche
Medium40 × 50 cm (16 × 20 in)Bedroom, study, entrance, above a console, bathroom accent
Large60 × 80 cm (24 × 31 in)Living room feature wall, office, above a sofa or dining table
Extra Large80 × 120 cm (32 × 48 in)Statement wall, reception area, large living room, commercial space

Room-by-room recommendations

  • Living room (feature wall)60 × 80 cm or larger

    A large piece above a sofa or on the main wall creates a visual anchor for the room. Allow breathing room on both sides.

  • Living room (secondary wall)40 × 50 cm

    For walls adjacent to the main feature, a medium piece avoids competing with the focal point.

  • Entrance or hallway20 × 30 cm to 40 × 50 cm

    Entrances are seen briefly but frequently. A smaller, well-composed piece has more impact than a large one in a narrow space.

  • Bedroom (above bed)40 × 50 cm

    Above a standard double bed, a medium-format piece works well. For a king bed, consider 60 × 80 cm or a pair of smaller pieces.

  • Study or home office20 × 30 cm to 40 × 50 cm

    A smaller piece at eye level from the desk works better than a large piece that dominates a smaller room.

  • Office (reception or feature wall)60 × 80 cm or larger

    Professional spaces often have larger, more open walls. A substantial piece gives presence without being overpowering.

How to measure before you order

  1. Measure the wall width — note the full width of the wall where you plan to hang the piece.
  2. Allow 50–60% of the wall width — a piece that fills roughly half the visual width of the wall tends to look proportionate.
  3. Mock it up with tape — use painter's tape to mark the exact dimensions of the piece on the wall before ordering. Step back and look at it in the actual room.
  4. Hang at eye level — the centre of the artwork should sit at approximately 150 cm from the floor, which is standard eye level for most adults.

A note on gallery walls

If you are grouping multiple pieces together, the rules change. For a gallery wall, the individual pieces can be smaller — the visual impact comes from the group, not any single work. Keep gaps consistent (5–8 cm) and decide on the overall group dimensions first, then choose individual piece sizes to fill it.

Custom sizes

If none of the standard sizes suit your space, InkByHand can create a custom-sized commission. Share your wall dimensions and we will discuss the best format for the available space.

Handmade Artwork

Every piece is painted by hand and checked in the studio before it is packed.

Custom Orders

Wording, size and colours are agreed with you before any painting begins.

Careful Packing

Each artwork is wrapped and protected to suit its size, framed or unframed.

Tracked Delivery

Tracking is shared after dispatch, and we follow up with the courier for you.

Clear Pricing

Nothing is charged at checkout. Shipping is quoted and approved before you pay.

WhatsApp Support

Message the studio directly for advice on wording, size, framing or delivery.

Honest Listings

Listings describe the medium and surface, and the exact size is confirmed before you order.

Customer Care

From first message to delivery, you deal with the studio directly, not a call centre.