The same “double” label hides two different sizes across Ireland’s mattress shops—one set of centimetres in most stores, another in IKEA’s aisles. Irish and UK double beds share the 135 × 190 cm standard exactly, but IKEA and continental Europe follow their own rules. This guide cuts through the confusion with exact dimensions, named retailer sources, and what each size actually means for your bedroom.
Standard Irish Double: 135 cm × 190 cm · Small Double: 120 cm × 190 cm · IKEA Double: 140 cm × 200 cm · UK King: 150 cm × 200 cm · UK Double: 137 cm × 190 cm
Quick snapshot
- Irish double: 135 × 190 cm across DFI Beds, The Sleep Shop, and Snooze Mattress
- UK double: 137 × 190 cm per MyBedFrames (slight width variation acknowledged)
- IKEA Ireland lists both 135 × 190 cm (UK standard) and 140 × 200 cm (European) (DFI Beds)
- Minor width discrepancies: some sources cite 135 cm, others 137–138 cm
- Whether IKEA’s Irish stores stock the narrower 135 × 190 cm option year-round
- 2015: IKEA begins offering UK-standard sizes alongside European sizes in the UK market
- Post-2010s: European sizes gain popularity via IKEA in Ireland
- Consumers buying IKEA bed frames in Ireland should verify mattress compatibility
- Small-double demand rising in city apartments with space constraints
| Dimension | Value |
|---|---|
| Irish Double Width | 135 cm |
| Irish Double Length | 190 cm |
| Small Double | 120 × 190 cm |
| IKEA Double | 140 × 200 cm |
| UK Double Width | 135–137 cm |
| UK Double Length | 190 cm |
| European Double | 140 × 200 cm |
| UK King Width | 150 cm |
| UK King Length | 200 cm |
| Super King Width | 180 cm |
What size is a double bed in Ireland?
The standard Irish double bed measures 135 cm wide × 190 cm long—a size that has remained consistent across Irish retailers and mirrors the UK standard exactly. Irish manufacturers and sleep retailers confirm that UK and Irish mattress sizes are standardized and interchangeable, meaning a mattress bought in Belfast fits a bed frame bought in Dublin without modification.
The small double (sometimes called a “4ft” bed) occupies 120 cm × 190 cm, making it 15 cm narrower than the standard double. This size is popular in smaller bedrooms, guest rooms, or for solo sleepers who want extra width over a single bed but can’t accommodate a full double.
Standard dimensions
Irish double beds follow UK conventions precisely. The Sleep Shop (Irish sleep retailer) confirms the standard as 135 × 190 cm, while Snooze Mattress notes that mattresses made for the Irish market are designed to fit UK-sized frames without gap or overhang. The measurement equals roughly 4 ft 6 in × 6 ft 3 in in imperial units.
Variations across retailers
Some retailers round the width to 137 cm rather than 135 cm—a 2 cm difference that rarely causes fit issues with standard bedding. Get Laid Beds acknowledges slight width variations ranging from 135–138 cm across UK manufacturers. For most consumers, this margin falls within standard mattress and bedding tolerances.
The implication: most double mattresses sold in Ireland will fit most double bed frames, but if you’re buying a frame and mattress separately, checking exact centimetres rather than relying on the “double” label alone prevents unpleasant surprises.
What is double bed size in cm?
The most common double bed size in centimetres is 135 × 190 cm for the UK and Irish markets. Converting to imperial, this equals 4 ft 6 in × 6 ft 3 in—a size designed to accommodate two adults comfortably in a standard bedroom.
The IKEA double presents a notable exception. IKEA Ireland lists its standard double mattress at 140 × 200 cm, which is 5 cm wider and 10 cm longer than the Irish standard. IKEA offers both UK-standard and European sizes in Ireland, giving shoppers two distinct double options.
Irish standards
Irish double beds follow the UK standard exactly—a deliberate alignment that simplifies cross-border trade in bedding. Mattress Reviews IE confirms that “mattress sizes in Ireland follow UK standards exactly for doubles.” This means Irish shoppers can purchase UK-manufactured bedding without size conversion anxiety.
UK comparison
UK doubles measure 135–137 cm × 190–191 cm depending on the source. MyBedFrames lists 135 × 190 cm as standard, while Wikipedia’s bed size entry notes occasional listings of 137 × 191 cm. The practical difference is negligible for bedding and mattress fit.
What this means: UK-manufactured double beds and mattresses fit Irish frames without modification. The two markets share sizing conventions that have been standardized for decades.
Is 140×200cm a double bed?
Yes, 140 × 200 cm is classified as a double bed—but it’s the European continental standard, not the Irish or UK standard. This size is 5 cm wider and 10 cm longer than the Irish double (135 × 190 cm). In the context of Irish bedrooms, a 140 × 200 cm bed is noticeably more generous in both dimensions.
The additional width and length make 140 × 200 cm a practical choice for couples who want more personal space or for single sleepers who prefer to spread out. DFI Beds highlights this difference explicitly: “IKEA double is 5 cm wider and 10 cm longer than Irish standard double.”
Continental sizing
Continental European bed sizing uses 140 × 200 cm as its standard double, which aligns with IKEA’s European product line. Get Laid Beds notes that European doubles are “slightly bigger than UK counterparts” in both width and length.
Suitability for Ireland
The 140 × 200 cm size works well in Irish homes, but shoppers must ensure their bed frame accommodates this continental dimension. Standard Irish bed frames designed for 135 × 190 cm won’t fit a 140 × 200 cm mattress—leaving a visible gap or requiring a non-standard frame. IKEA Ireland explicitly offers both sizing options so customers can choose based on their existing furniture.
The trade-off: a 140 × 200 cm continental double gives you extra sleeping real estate, but requires commitment to the continental sizing system for both mattress and frame.
Is 160×200cm a double bed?
No, 160 × 200 cm is classified as a queen-size equivalent in most markets, not a double. This size sits between the standard double (135 × 190 cm) and the UK king (150 × 200 cm). It is larger than a standard double in both dimensions and provides substantially more sleeping space.
In the UK and Irish market, the queen-size label is less standardized than in North America, where queens typically measure 152 × 203 cm. The 160 × 200 cm dimension appears frequently in IKEA’s product listings as an alternative to UK king sizing.
Size classification
Market classifications vary, but the general hierarchy runs: single → small double → double → queen/European king → UK king → super king. At 160 × 200 cm, this bed size falls into the mid-range above double but below UK king.
Room fit
A 160 × 200 cm bed requires a larger bedroom than a standard double. Snooze Mattress recommends checking room dimensions before purchasing, noting that “always check bed frame compatibility with mattress sizes” is a critical step. For a couple in a city apartment, 160 × 200 cm may be the sweet spot between space savings and sleeping comfort.
What bed size is 180×200?
180 × 200 cm is classified as a super king (UK/Ireland) or European king. At 20 cm wider than a UK king (150 cm) and the same 200 cm length, this is the largest standard bed size available in most Irish and UK retailers.
This size far exceeds the standard double in sleeping area. IKEA Ireland’s mattress guide confirms super king at 180 × 200 cm as their largest standard option. For comparison, a standard double provides roughly 2.57 m² of sleeping surface, while the super king offers approximately 3.6 m²—a 40% increase.
Super king context
Super king beds have gained popularity in larger Irish homes where bedroom space allows. The 180 × 200 cm dimension provides ample room for couples, families who co-sleep, or individuals who simply want maximum sleeping space.
Irish equivalents
In Ireland, 180 × 200 cm is consistently marketed as super king. Unlike the double-size confusion where UK and Irish standards align perfectly, super king sizing is uniform across major Irish retailers.
IKEA’s double is 5 cm wider and 10 cm longer than the Irish standard. If you’re buying a complete set (frame + mattress) from IKEA, the continental sizing works seamlessly. If mixing IKEA frames with non-IKEA mattresses—or vice versa—always verify dimensions before purchasing.
Complete bed size comparison
Five bed sizes commonly discussed in Irish and UK contexts reveal a clear sizing ladder from compact to oversized.
| Bed Type | Width (cm) | Length (cm) | Market |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Double | 120 | 190 | UK/Ireland |
| Standard Double | 135 | 190 | UK/Ireland |
| IKEA/European Double | 140 | 200 | Continental Europe |
| UK King | 150 | 200 | UK/Ireland |
| Super King | 180 | 200 | UK/Ireland |
The pattern is straightforward: European doubles match UK kings in length (200 cm) but fall short in width (140 vs 150 cm). IKEA’s product range bridges these two systems, offering Irish consumers a choice between market-standard 135 × 190 cm sizing and continental 140 × 200 cm sizing.
Key specifications by retailer
Retailer-specific sizing reveals where the standard double measurement shifts from the norm.
| Retailer | Double Width (cm) | Double Length (cm) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| DFI Beds | 135 | 190 | Standard Irish sizing |
| The Sleep Shop | 135 | 190 | UK/Ireland standard |
| Snooze Mattress | 135 | 190 | UK/Ireland standard |
| IKEA Ireland | 140 | 200 | European standard |
| MyBedFrames (UK) | 135–137 | 190–191 | Slight manufacturer variation |
| Get Laid Beds (UK) | 135–138 | 190 | Acknowledges width variation |
Irish retailers show remarkable consistency at 135 × 190 cm. UK retailers exhibit slight width variation (135–138 cm) due to different manufacturing tolerances. IKEA stands apart with its continental 140 × 200 cm sizing, though it also stocks the smaller option for customers who prefer it.
Buying a bed frame in the UK and a mattress in Ireland (or vice versa) works without issues at the double size—the markets share 135 × 190 cm exactly. The complication arises only when IKEA’s continental sizing enters the picture, where a 140 × 200 cm mattress simply won’t fit a 135 × 190 cm frame.
Confirmed facts and clarifications
Distinguishing established facts from lingering uncertainties helps you shop with confidence.
What we know for certain
- Irish double: 135 × 190 cm confirmed by multiple Irish retailers
- UK double: 135–137 × 190–191 cm (width varies slightly by manufacturer)
- IKEA European double: 140 × 200 cm (confirmed by IKEA Ireland)
- UK and Irish mattress standards are interchangeable
- IKEA Ireland offers both sizing systems
- Small double: 120 × 190 cm in UK and Ireland
What remains unclear
- Whether minor 2–3 cm width variations across UK manufacturers cause real-world fit issues
- Exact availability of the 135 × 190 cm IKEA option in all Irish stores year-round
- No official government standardization document exists for bed sizes
A standard double bed and mattress is 135 cm wide and 190 cm long.
— MyBedFrames Guide (Bed Retailer Expert)
UK and Irish mattress sizes are the same and standardised across most manufacturers.
— Snooze Mattress (Mattress Guide Author)
IKEA’s standard Double is 140 × 200 cm, which is larger than an Irish Double (135 × 190 cm).
— Mattress Reviews IE (Irish Mattress Expert)
For Irish bedroom planners, the takeaway is practical: most retailers sell a 135 × 190 cm double that will fit frames from any major Irish or UK brand. If IKEA is in your shopping plans, decide upfront whether you want the market-standard or continental sizing—and commit to that system for both frame and mattress. Mixing the two creates a gap that no amount of creative bedding arrangement will hide.
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Ireland’s standard double at 135×190 cm mirrors UK double bed standards closely, though IKEA’s 140×200 cm version offers extra width for couples.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard double bed size in Ireland in cm?
The standard double bed size in Ireland is 135 cm wide × 190 cm long. This matches the UK standard exactly and is confirmed by Irish retailers including The Sleep Shop, DFI Beds, and Snooze Mattress.
Is a 4ft bed the same as a small double?
Yes, a “4ft bed” is the same as a small double, measuring 120 cm × 190 cm. The “4ft” label refers to the width in imperial measurement (approximately 4 feet wide). This size is narrower than a standard double by 15 cm.
What size is a king bed in Ireland?
A king bed in Ireland measures 150 cm wide × 200 cm long. This is 15 cm wider and 10 cm longer than the standard double, providing more sleeping space for couples.
How does UK double compare to Ireland?
UK and Irish double beds are essentially identical at 135 × 190 cm. Slight width variations (135–137 cm) exist across UK manufacturers, but Irish-made products stick to the 135 cm standard. The two markets share interchangeable sizing conventions.
Is 140×200 cm suitable for two people?
Yes, 140 × 200 cm is a full double bed by European standards and comfortably accommodates two adults. It offers 5 cm extra width and 10 cm extra length compared to the Irish standard double (135 × 190 cm).
What are mattress sizes at IKEA Ireland?
IKEA Ireland offers two double options: the UK/Ireland standard at 135 × 190 cm, and the European continental standard at 140 × 200 cm. Both are listed as double sizes in IKEA’s Irish store, allowing customers to choose their preferred dimension.
What room size do you need for a double bed?
A double bed requires a bedroom of at least 9–10 m² for comfortable placement with furniture. The bed itself occupies approximately 2.6 m² (135 × 190 cm), but you’ll need additional space for bedside tables, wardrobes, and movement around the room.
For Irish shoppers buying a double bed, the choice between 135 × 190 cm and 140 × 200 cm determines whether your existing bedding fits, your frame accommodates your mattress, or your room can handle the extra centimetres. Measure twice, buy once.
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Oscar Friel covers culture, lifestyle, society and long-form features across the UK.