Canvas Size Guide for Pet Portraits

Our 5 canvas sizes and prices

Every portrait is printed on gallery canvas with archival inks and stretched over a solid wood frame, printed in the USA. The size you choose is the only thing that changes the base price:

• 12x12 in, $59: compact square for shelves, desks and small walls.
• 11x14 in, $64: a classic small portrait size for hallways, nightstands and gifts.
• 16x20 in, $84: our most loved size and the easiest to place in almost any room.
• 18x24 in, $99: a confident wall piece for a living room, bedroom or entryway.
• 24x36 in, $139: a statement canvas that becomes the focal point of a room.

Style extras are the same at every size: Pet + Owner adds $20, Royal Pair adds $25, and a second pet in any style adds $25. Shipping within the US is $12.95, or free on orders of $75 or more.

How big each size looks on a wall

Canvas sizes are easy to underestimate on screen. A quick trick: cut a piece of paper or cardboard to the size, or mark the outline with painter's tape, and look at it from across the room for a day.

• 12x12 in is about the size of a vinyl record sleeve. On a large empty wall it can look lost, but on a shelf or a narrow wall it's just right.
• 11x14 in is a little larger than a sheet of letter paper. It works well at close viewing distance.
• 16x20 in reads clearly from across a typical bedroom or office, roughly 8 to 12 feet away.
• 18x24 in holds its own on a living room wall and is easy to see from the doorway.
• 24x36 in is about the size of a large movie poster. Your pet's face will be close to life size or larger, which is very striking in person.

Hanging above a sofa, bed or desk

Designers often use a simple guideline: art above furniture should be about two-thirds of the furniture's width. For a standard 84-inch sofa that's roughly 56 inches of art.

• One canvas above a sofa: choose 24x36 in. It's narrower than two-thirds of the sofa, but as a single portrait it creates a clear focal point, as in the living room example above.
• Filling the full two-thirds: hang two 24x36 in canvases side by side with a 3 to 4 inch gap, about 51 to 52 inches in total. This is a lovely option for two pets.
• Height above furniture: leave about 8 to 10 inches between the top of the sofa or headboard and the bottom of the canvas.
• Above a desk: a 16x20 or 18x24 in canvas sits comfortably over a typical 48 to 60 inch desk.
• On an open wall: hang so the center of the canvas is about 57 to 60 inches from the floor, close to average eye level.

Which size for which room

• Living room: 18x24 or 24x36 in, especially above a sofa or fireplace.
• Bedroom: 18x24 in above a queen bed, 24x36 in above a king, or 16x20 in on a side wall.
• Home office: 16x20 in above the desk, or 12x12 in on a bookshelf in your video call background.
• Hallway or entry: 11x14 or 16x20 in, since you see it up close.
• Reading nook or bathroom: 12x12 or 11x14 in.
• Memorial corner: 11x14 or 16x20 in on a quiet wall or on a shelf with a candle, so it feels personal rather than dominant. See our pet memorial portraits.
• A gift: 16x20 in is the safest choice when you don't know the recipient's walls. Browse gifts for dog lovers for ideas.

Square 12x12 vs portrait ratios

The shape of the canvas changes how your portrait is framed, not just how big it is.

• 12x12 in (square, 1:1): a close head-and-shoulders crop. The face is the star and there is less room for costume detail or background.
• 11x14 and 16x20 in (about 4:5): a classic portrait shape. You see the face, chest and the top of the outfit, such as a crown and the collar of a royal robe.
• 18x24 in (3:4): slightly taller, with more of the costume and a hint of the setting.
• 24x36 in (2:3): the tallest shape, with the most room for the full outfit, background and details like medals, lace or a throne.

The proof our artist emails you within 48 hours shows how your portrait is framed for your chosen size. If the crop feels too tight or too loose, you can ask for an adjustment as one of your 2 free revisions, and nothing is printed until you approve.

Gallery wrap 1.5 in and other finishing options

The gallery wrap 1.5 in deep option (+$15) gives your canvas a thicker profile that stands further off the wall. It looks substantial and finished without a frame, and it's especially nice on 18x24 and 24x36 in canvases viewed from the side.

• Ready-to-hang kit (+$9): handy if it's a gift or you want to hang it the day it arrives.
• UV protective coating (+$12): a good idea for rooms with lots of daylight.
• High-res digital file (+$15): for sharing or printing smaller copies yourself.

Whatever size you choose, keep your canvas out of direct, all-day sunlight and away from heaters or damp walls, and dust it gently with a dry, soft cloth. That simple care keeps the colors looking fresh for years.

Still unsure? A quick decision guide

• Can't measure the wall right now? Choose 16x20 in.
• Want it to be the main feature of the room? Choose 24x36 in.
• Placing it on a shelf, desk or small wall? Choose 12x12 in or 11x14 in.
• Ordering a portrait with two pets or a person? Go one size up so each face has room, ideally 16x20 in or larger.
• Ordering for a small apartment? A 16x20 in canvas on a wall with nothing else around it often looks bigger and calmer than a crowded gallery wall.
• Want free shipping? Every 16x20 in, 18x24 in and 24x36 in canvas ships free, and a smaller canvas does too once your order reaches $75.

You can try your photo before choosing anything: see a free preview in about 20 seconds. Need a better photo first? Read how to take a photo for a pet portrait.