If a single artwork is a statement, a set is a sentence - and wall art sets styling is far easier to get right than the gallery walls filling your saved folder. Two or three pieces that genuinely belong together deliver the designer look with none of the curation risk: the matching has already been done. At Printcasso every set is designed by one artist to hang as a unit, so the only decisions left are which wall, and how far apart. This guide answers both.
Why sets look intentional (and solo pieces can float)
A single small-to-medium artwork on a big empty wall can "float" - unanchored, a bit accidental. A set solves this structurally: two or three pieces create their own internal rhythm, span more width, and read as a composed arrangement rather than a lone object. That is why hotels and display homes lean on pairs and trios - they photograph as decisions, not leftovers. Sets also scale to furniture gracefully, stretching across the width of a bed, sofa or sideboard without requiring one enormous (and enormous-feeling) artwork.
Pair vs trio: choosing by wall width
Let the wall decide. As a rule of thumb, a pair suits spans up to about 1.5m of available wall, while a trio earns its place on walls of 1.5m and beyond - remember each added piece brings its own width plus a gap. Symmetry matters too: pairs are naturally symmetrical and love sitting between two lamps or sconces; trios have a centre piece, which makes them the stronger choice when there is an obvious focal point to honour, like the middle of a sofa or bed. When in doubt, measure the furniture below: sets, like single artworks, look best spanning roughly two-thirds of it.
Spacing rules: 5-8cm between frames
The gap is the styling. Leave 5-8cm between frames — close enough that the set reads as one composition, generous enough that each piece keeps its own air. Keep every gap identical (this is non-negotiable; the eye catches a 1cm difference immediately) and align pieces through their horizontal centre line. The paper-template trick makes it foolproof: trace each frame on paper, tape the templates up, shuffle until even, then mark fixings through the paper. Ten minutes of masking tape saves an afternoon of extra holes.
Styling wall art sets above the bed, sofa and sideboard
Above a bed, a pair is the classic: hang the two pieces with their combined span at about two-thirds of the bed width, bottom edges 15-25cm above the headboard - our bedroom collection is full of candidates. Above a sofa, a trio spaced 5-8cm apart spans a 3-seater beautifully where a single canvas would need to be huge; browse the living room collection with your sofa width in hand. Above a sideboard or console, a pair or trio hung slightly lower than usual - bottom edges about 15-20cm above the surface - ties the vignette of lamp, vase and art into one still life. A leaning third option: rest one piece of a trio on the sideboard itself for a more relaxed arrangement.
Mixing a set with single artworks
Sets and solo pieces coexist happily in one home - just not usually on one wall. Give the set its own wall and let single artworks take the others; the contrast between composed and singular is what makes both look chosen. If you do combine them on a large wall, keep the set tight (5-8cm gaps) and give the single piece at least 15-20cm of separation so it reads as a deliberate outsider, not a straggler. A related series hung as a run - like our Banana Palm I and Banana Palm II art prints - splits the difference: same hand, same palette, gallery-wall energy without the chaos.
Shop matching pairs and trios
Every set in our pairs and trios collection is an original design by Australian artist Rimmy Gurm, printed and hand-framed in Australia, and arrives ready to hang - so the spacing rules above are the only work left. For multi-piece value, our wall art bundles collect complementary pieces in one order.
Frequently asked questions
How far apart should matching prints be hung?
Leave 5-8cm between frames, and keep every gap identical. Wider spacing breaks the set into unrelated pieces.
Should a set of three be identical sizes?
Identical sizes hung level is the cleanest, most reliable look. Varied sizes can work when aligned through the horizontal centre line, but treat that as an advanced move.
Is a pair or a trio better above a sofa?
For most 2 and 2.5-seaters, a pair; for 3-seaters and modulars, a trio spans the width more convincingly. Aim for a total spread of 60-75% of the sofa's width.
Do wall art sets come ready to hang?
Yes - every Printcasso piece, sets included, is printed and hand-framed in Australia and arrives ready to hang, with free tracked shipping Australia-wide.
Found your wall? Explore the pairs and trios collection and let the matching take care of itself.
