Why Do Some Products Look Smaller Than Others?
A Quick Guide to Understanding Size and Scale in Metal Art
Ever been surprised by the size of an item when it arrives—even though the dimensions were clearly listed? You're not alone. At The Metal Peddler, we’ve seen a pattern: some customers absolutely love a design like our 6-inch wide Camper Key Rack, while others order a similarly sized Walking Paws Key Holder and thinking maybe it's too small to be useful: even though the functional parts of them are identical.
Let’s talk about why that happens—and how to avoid disappointment when ordering wall art and key racks online.
📏 Not All 6-Inch Racks Look the Same
Both the Camper and Walking Paws racks are 6 inches wide, and they both have 5 sturdy hooks, made from 16-gauge American steel and finished with a rust- and scratch-resistant powder coat. Same function. Same strength. Same space for your keys and leashes.
But visually? One seems “bigger” than the other.
That’s because the Camper is nearly 6 inches tall, while the Walking Paws rack is around 3 inches tall. The same width can feel drastically different depending on how tall the design is.
Below: Walking paws is also 6 inches wide with the same hooks
The functioning parts of each rack are identical.
Scale and Proportion Matter
You may have seen this image on our site or social media—it shows why increasing the width means increasing the height too:
If we made it wider but kept the height short, your design would look stretched and awkward. So when we increase the width from 6" to 9", we also scale the height proportionally. That means the material usage goes up more than double (from 6x6 to 9x9), and so does the weight, powder coating, packaging, and shipping cost!
Don’t Rely on Pictures Alone
Photos are helpful, but they can’t always show scale accurately—especially when you're viewing on a phone screen. Here’s what helps:
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Check the dimensions: We list them clearly on every product page
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Visualize with tape: Use painter’s tape to outline 6", 9", or 14.5" on your wall
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Compare to everyday items: A dollar bill is just over 6" wide and a standard piece of letter paper (like a utility bill) is just under 9" wide.
Same Product Page, Different Sizes
Our Small (6") and Large (9") key holders are always offered as options on the same product page. You can toggle between sizes before adding to cart. Both sizes have 5 strong hooks, though the 9" key holders have slightly deeper and chunkier hooks. Pick the size that best fits your space and your style.
Need more storage or a dramatic look? The XL racks are on their own product pages and hold 10 hooks—perfect for families, medal collections, or busy entryways.
Explore the collections:
Above: An XL Key Holder - Adventure Awaits
🛠️ Size Quick Guide
| Size | Width | Approx Height | Hooks | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mini | 3.5” | 2.5–4” | 2 | Compact and cute |
| Small | 6” | 3–6” | 5 | Compact but capable |
| Large | 9” | 4–9” | 5 | More visual impact, larger hooks |
| XL | 14.5” | Proportional | 10 | Also works for medals, larger hooks |
Why We Share This
We’re a small, veteran-owned business, and every product is made in our Pennsylvania shop. We take pride in giving you accurate details and honest product listings. When folks misunderstand the size—or expect a 6-inch product to look like a 12-inch one—it can lead to avoidable returns and frustration for everyone.
We're here to help you choose the right size and style the first time around.
Thanks for supporting a small American and veteran-owned business!
