A blank wall above the sofa is one of the most common decorating problems in British homes. Small frames look lost, and oversized canvases can swamp a modest living room.

That is why 50 x 70 cm has quietly become the go-to size for wall art. It is big enough to act as a focal point, yet small enough to suit a terraced house, a flat or a rented room. Most online print and poster shops now sell their designs in this size, so finding art to fill it is easy.

This guide covers what actually fits a 50×70 frame, how to choose a good one without overspending, and where it looks best around the home.

What fits a 50×70 frame?

A frame’s size refers to the artwork it holds, not its outside edge. So a 50 x 70 cm frame takes a print measuring exactly 50 x 70 cm, which is roughly 19.7 x 27.6 inches. The outer dimensions will be a few centimetres larger, depending on how wide the moulding is.

The proportions are 5:7, the same shape as a standard 5×7 inch photo. That matters when you are enlarging your own pictures: a phone photo cropped to 5:7 will fill the frame without awkward trimming.

People often confuse 50×70 with A-series paper sizes, which follow the ISO 216 standard. Here is how they compare:

The A2 to 50×70 pairing is worth knowing about. The two shapes are almost identical, so an A2 print sits neatly inside a 50×70 frame with an even border once you add a mount.

Choosing the right frame

Four things decide whether a frame looks right and lasts: the finish, the glazing, the profile and the price.

Finish

Match the frame to the room rather than to the picture alone.

• Black suits monochrome photography, film posters and bold graphic prints. It sits well in modern and industrial rooms.
• White gives a clean, gallery-style border and works on darker painted walls.
• Oak or light wood warms up neutral schemes and pairs with wooden floors and furniture.
• Rustic or distressed wood suits cottage, farmhouse and vintage styles.

Glazing: glass or acrylic?

At this size, the glazing makes a real difference to weight and safety. Glass is heavier and can shatter if the frame falls. Acrylic (often sold as plexiglass or Perspex) is much lighter and shatterproof.

For hallways, children’s rooms and rented homes with plasterboard walls, acrylic is usually the more sensible choice. Just clean it with a soft cloth and mild soapy water, as rough fabrics can scratch it.

Profile

The moulding width affects how much presence the frame has. A slim 10 to 15 mm edge looks minimal and modern. A wider 25 to 30 mm moulding gives the artwork more weight on the wall, which helps a single piece hold its own above furniture.

Price

You do not need to spend a fortune. Bespoke framing for this size can easily run past £80, while ready-made frames from UK retailers generally cost between £15 and £45.

At the budget end, MDF frames with a wood-grain finish and acrylic glazing offer good value. A 50×70 frame of this type typically comes in black, white, oak and rustic, and can hang in portrait or landscape. For posters and everyday prints, that is all most people need. Save bespoke framing for original artwork or anything valuable.

Where to hang a 50×70 frame

The general rule is to hang art so its centre sits at about eye level, around 145 to 152 cm from the floor. Above furniture, leave a gap of 15 to 25 cm between the top of the sofa or sideboard and the bottom of the frame.

• Living room: Above a two-seater sofa, one portrait frame works well. Above a larger three-seater, hang two frames side by side with a 5 to 8 cm gap, or turn a single frame to landscape.
• Bedroom: Centre it above the headboard. Calm botanical prints or soft photography suit the space.
• Hallway: A narrow hall is ideal for a single portrait frame. Choose acrylic glazing here, as hallways see a lot of knocks.
• Home office: Hang it on the wall you face, not behind you. It gives your eyes somewhere to rest between screens.
• Kitchen or dining room: Food prints, vintage adverts or maps all work. Keep it away from the hob, where heat and steam can damage the print.

Mounts and gallery walls

A mount is the card border between the artwork and the frame. It is the easiest way to make an inexpensive print look professionally framed.

If your print is smaller than 50 x 70 cm, such as A2 or 40 x 50 cm, a mount fills the gap and centres the image. Before buying one, check the frame’s rebate depth (the inner lip). The mount, print and glazing together need to fit inside it.

In a gallery wall, a 50×70 frame makes a natural anchor piece. Place it slightly off-centre, then build smaller A4, A3 and 30 x 40 cm frames around it. Keep the gaps between frames even, at about 5 to 8 cm. A tip from decorators: lay the arrangement out on the floor first, or tape paper templates to the wall, before putting any holes in it.

Fitting and hanging tips

1. Work on a clean, soft surface such as a towel, with the frame face down.
2. Remove the backing board and lift out the glazing. Peel off any protective film from both sides of acrylic.
3. Wipe the inside of the glazing with a lint-free cloth to remove dust before adding the print.
4. Lay the print face down on the glazing, replace the backing and secure the clips.
5. Turn it over and check for specks of dust before hanging.

For the wall, match the fixing to the surface. Brick and block walls need a rawlplug and screw. Plasterboard needs a dedicated plasterboard fixing, as a plain nail can pull out over time. Always check for pipes and cables with a detector before drilling.

Frequently asked questions

Is 50×70 the same as A2? No. A2 is 42 x 59.4 cm, so it is smaller. It will fit inside a 50×70 frame with a mount.

What is 50×70 cm in inches? Roughly 19.7 x 27.6 inches. Some shops round this to 20 x 28 inches, so check the exact measurement before ordering a print.

Can I hang a 50×70 frame landscape? Most ready-made frames at this size have hangers for both portrait and landscape. Check the listing before buying.

Is acrylic glazing as clear as glass? Good-quality acrylic is very clear and, at normal viewing distance, most people cannot tell the difference. It is also lighter and safer.

The bottom line

A 50×70 frame is one of the easiest ways to make a room feel finished. Measure your print first, pick a finish that suits the room, and choose acrylic glazing for busy spaces. Hang it at eye level, leave a sensible gap above furniture, and even a modest budget can give you wall art that looks considered rather than cluttered.