Gallery wall layouts with A4, A3 and A2 sizes
A gallery wall is easier to plan when you start with the sizes. This guide gives you the numbers first: what three A4, A3 or A2 sheets measure side by side. Then it gives four layouts to try and eight ready-made sets of three prints. All figures are paper sizes. Frames and mounts add to them, so swap in the outer frame size once you have chosen one.
What three sheets measure
A4 is 21 × 29.7 cm, A3 is 29.7 × 42 cm and A2 is 42 × 59.4 cm in portrait. The table allows 5 cm between sheets, as a first gap to sketch.
| Sheet | One sheet | Three in a row | Three in a column |
|---|---|---|---|
| A4 | 21 × 29.7 cm | 73 × 29.7 cm | 21 × 99.1 cm |
| A3 | 29.7 × 42 cm | 99.1 × 42 cm | 29.7 × 136 cm |
| A2 | 42 × 59.4 cm | 136 × 59.4 cm | 42 × 188.2 cm |
Every extra centimetre in each gap adds 2 cm to the row width or the column height. For landscape sheets, swap the two numbers in each pair. Draw the outline to scale on paper or a screen and look at it from where you usually see the wall.
Four layouts to try
A row. Three equal sheets in a line give each piece the same weight. For a sofa 180 cm wide, a first sketch can make the group about two-thirds as wide, which is 120 cm. Three A3 sheets with 5 cm gaps measure 99.1 cm before frames, so frames and mounts can take you closer to that figure.
A pair with one below. Two sheets on top and one centred beneath make a triangle. With A3 portrait sheets that is 64.4 cm wide and 89 cm high, paper only. It can suit a wall with more height than width.
A column. A narrow hallway can suit a column. Three A4 sheets stacked with 5 cm gaps are 21 cm wide and 99.1 cm high. Our hallway gallery wall layouts go further on narrow spaces.
One large with two small. An A2 portrait sheet is 42 × 59.4 cm. Two A4 portrait sheets stacked with a 5 cm gap are 21 × 64.4 cm. Put the A2 beside that stacked pair, with a 5 cm gap between them, and the group is 68 cm wide (42 + 5 + 21) and 64.4 cm high. Lining up the vertical centres of the A2 and the stacked pair is one way to balance the group.
If the pieces differ in orientation, compare two sketches: one lining up the tops and one lining up the centres. They give different rhythms.
Sets of three
Each set is three pieces from one collection, chosen to hang together as a small gallery wall, and sold as one digital download. The cards list the pieces in each set, so you can check the orientations before you plan.
Tidewash Gallery Wall Set
Includes: Estuary Mouth, Mist; Dune Line Wash; Tidal Rock Pool.
Loose watercolour-style washes in blues, sage green and cream.
Harbour Light Gallery Wall Set
Includes: Harbour Wall, Dawn; Coiled Rope, Study; Harbour, Gold Light.
Harbour pieces in pale gold, slate blue and bone white.
Coastal Stripes Gallery Wall Set
Includes: Striped Horizon Blue; Sun and Surf; Graphic Lighthouse.
Bold flat shapes, from blue bands to coral and teal.
Neutral Arches Gallery Wall Set
Includes: Single Arch in Sand; Layered Arch Trio; Minimal Arch Pair.
Simple arches in sand, clay and cream.
Line and Leaf Gallery Wall Set
Includes: Single Fern Frond; Ivy Leaf Outline; Pressed Leaf Trio.
Fine sepia line studies on warm white.
Wildflower Margins Gallery Wall Set
Includes: Meadow Grasses, Study; Wood Anemone, Study; Grass Seedheads, Backlit.
Meadow flowers and grasses, in watercolour-style washes.
Night Garden Gallery Wall Set
Includes: Rose, Glowing on Black; White Orchid, Stark Black; Mixed Dark Florals.
Dark floral studies, softly lit on black.
Northern Lights Gallery Wall Set
Includes: Aurora Over Pines; Aurora, Lone Cabin; Aurora, Dawn Fade.
Three aurora scenes in green, blue and violet.
Once you like the outline, swap the pieces between positions. A darker piece in the middle can make a row feel centred, and at one end it can give the sequence a direction. Keep a note of the gaps and the overall size of your favourite sketch.
For a longer look at each arrangement, see gallery wall layouts for a set of three and gallery wall ideas for small UK homes.
For hanging, follow the instructions that come with your frame and fixings. On stairs or high walls, ask someone experienced to help.
AI-assisted artwork, curated by Larkspur Editions. This is Larkspur Editions' own guide. Our artwork is generated with AI from our own written prompts, then screened and curated by us. It is not a photograph or a painting. Shop on Etsy opens the digital download, with print-ready files and no frame. Where a card also shows Printed options on Etsy, that piece can be bought as a print there too. See How it’s made for the full process.
Questions people ask
How far apart should the prints be?
There is no rule. Try 5 cm between the outer frame edges, then 3 cm and 7 cm on the same sketch. A smaller gap can make the group read as one unit, and a wider gap gives each picture more independence.
How wide are three A3 prints side by side?
Three portrait A3 sheets with 5 cm gaps measure 99.1 cm wide and 42 cm high. That is the paper only, so add the border of any frame and mount.
What is in a gallery wall set?
Three pieces from one collection, chosen to hang together as a small gallery wall and sold as one digital download. Check the previews, because a set can mix landscape and portrait pieces.
Which sizes are included?
Each download includes A4, A3 and A2 JPG files at 300 dpi in sRGB. A local print shop or online printer can print them.