Double Bed Size vs Queen Ireland: Dimensions & Guide

Buying a double bed in Ireland should be simple — until you realise the same word means different things in different shops. A double here is not a queen, two singles together make something wider than a king, and the mattress you measure in inches may not match the frame you measure in centimetres. This guide sets out the exact dimensions you need, backed by the sizing guides of Ireland’s leading furniture retailers, so you can tell a double from a queen and find the right fit for your home.

Standard double width: 4 ft 6 in (137 cm) ·
Standard double length: 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) ·
Queen (Ireland) width: 5 ft (152 cm) ·
Two singles combined: 6 ft (183 cm) ·
Queen = UK king: Yes ·
Replace mattress every: 7–8 years

What is a double-size bed?

A double bed, sometimes called a full bed in North America, is the smallest bed purpose-built for two adults. In Ireland and the UK, it measures 4 ft 6 in wide by 6 ft 3 in long — 137 by 191 centimetres Dreams Ireland (mattress size guide). That width is enough for one person to sprawl, but for two, it demands closeness.

Standard dimensions in Ireland and the UK

• Width: 4 ft 6 in (137 cm) Beds.ie (size guide)
• Length: 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) Caseys Furniture (mattress sizes in Ireland)
• Area: approximately 2.62 square metres Kerry Linen (bedding blog)
• Most common mattress size in Irish homes Mattress Reviews Ireland (industry data)

How a double bed compares to a single bed

A standard single bed is 3 ft (91 cm) wide. A double gives exactly twice that single width for each sleeper — 68.5 cm per person IKEA Ireland (mattress size guide). That is the width of a standard carry-on suitcase laid flat. For many, that is tight.

The catch: a double is only 8 cm wider than a small double (120 cm), but that small gap changes the sleeping experience from “one adult plus storage” to “two adults, minimal space.” The trade-off is that for couples who share a room, a queen or two singles offers noticeably more personal space.

Is a double bed a queen in Ireland?

No — and the confusion is understandable because North American retailers use “queen” for a size that sits between the Irish double and the Irish king. In Ireland, a queen bed is 5 ft (152 cm) wide by 6 ft 6 in (198 cm) long Dreams Ireland (mattress size guide). That makes it exactly the same mattress as a UK king Caseys Furniture (mattress sizes in Ireland).

Queen bed dimensions in Ireland (5′ x 6’6″)

• Width: 5 ft (152 cm) IKEA Ireland (size guide)
• Length: 6 ft 6 in (198 cm) Beds.ie (size guide)
• Area: approximately 3.02 square metres Dreams Ireland (dimensions calculator)
• Each adult gets 76 cm width — 7.5 cm more than on a double Right Price Beds (bed size guide)

Why the terms are not interchangeable

A US queen measures 60 x 80 inches (152 x 203 cm) SG Signal (size comparison analysis). An Irish queen stops at 198 cm length — 5 cm shorter. And an Irish double is a full 15 cm narrower than a US queen. So if you see “queen” on a label in an Irish shop, check the centimetres. It is likely 152 x 198 cm, not the US standard.

The implication: the word “queen” in Ireland signals a bed wider and longer than a double, but it is not a standardised term the way “double” is. You need to verify the exact measurements on the product page, especially when ordering online from a mix of Irish and UK retailers.

Can two adults sleep on a double bed?

Yes — and millions do. But the question is whether they sleep well. Each adult gets roughly 68.5 cm of width on a double mattress IKEA Ireland (mattress size guide). That is about the width of a yoga mat.

Space per person on a double mattress

• Double: 68.5 cm per person Dreams Ireland (size comparison)
• Queen (Ireland): 76 cm per person Caseys Furniture (queen dimensions)
• Two singles together: 91.5 cm per person Beds.ie (single dimensions)
• UK king (Irish queen equivalent): 80 cm per person IKEA Ireland (king guide)

When a queen or king is preferable

For light sleepers, couples with different body sizes, or anyone who moves during the night, the extra 15 cm of a queen over a double makes a measurable difference in sleep quality Mattress Reviews Ireland (expert recommendation). A king (5’6″ x 6’6″ in the UK system) or two singles offers space for each person to stretch without disturbing the other.

The pattern: if you sleep alone, a double is generous. If you sleep with a partner and both are of average build, a double works but a queen is better. If either partner is tall (over 6 ft) or broad-shouldered, move up to a queen or two singles.

Is two single beds a queen or king?

Two single beds placed side by side create a combined width of 6 ft (183 cm) Dreams Ireland (mattress size guide). That is 31 cm wider than a double and 31 cm wider than an Irish queen. It matches the width of a super king (6 ft x 6 ft 6 in) Right Price Beds (size guide).

Combined single bed width (3′ + 3′ = 6′)

• Single bed: 3 ft x 6 ft 3 in (91 x 191 cm) IKEA Ireland (single dimensions)
• Two singles together: 6 ft wide (183 cm) Dreams Ireland (combined width calculation)
• Length stays at 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) unless you choose longer single frames Beds.ie (single bed length)

How that compares to queen and king sizes

An Irish queen (5 ft) is 31 cm narrower than two singles. A UK king (5 ft 6 in) is 15 cm narrower. So two singles are actually the widest option short of a super king. The catch is the gap: unless you buy a zip-and-link or a split-frame with a bridging topper, the two mattresses will slide apart over time Kerry Linen (bedding advice).

The implication: two singles are not a queen or king. They are a separate category that sacrifices frame stability for individual comfort and wider total width. They work best in rooms where the headboard can anchor both frames.

Where to buy a double bed in Ireland?

Ireland has a healthy mix of high-street chains, online-first sellers, and local showrooms. The following table compares the main options based on size guide accuracy, delivery reach, and price range.

Double bed frames Dublin

Dublin has several dedicated bed showrooms. Dublin Beds on the Naas Road lists double frames from €180 and offers same-day collection Dublin Beds (sizing guide). Harvey Norman stores in Nouvelle, Swords, and Carrickmines stock double frames starting around €250. For budget buyers, Bargaintown in Fonthill has basics from €99.

Double bed and mattress deals

The cheapest bundled offers start around €250 for a double frame with a 15 cm foam mattress at Right Price Beds Right Price Beds (deals page). Mid-range packages from Dreams Ireland run €400–€700, often including a pocket-sprung mattress. Premium frame-and-mattress bundles at Caseys Furniture exceed €1,000 but include 10-year guarantees.

Online vs in-store purchases

• Online: wider selection, easier price comparison but no ability to test the feel of the mattress Mattress Reviews Ireland (buying advice)
• In-store: you can lie on the mattress, but central Dublin showrooms have limited parking SlumberSuite (bed sizes article)
• Hybrid: order online for home delivery after testing a display model in a physical store Arnotts (bedding guide)

The pattern: online-only buyers save 10–20 % on average compared to showroom prices. But the trade-off is that you cannot verify that the “queen” you ordered is actually 152 x 198 cm until it arrives. Ask for the exact centimetres before you buy.

“The standard double bed is listed as 135 x 190 cm — 4 ft 6 in by 6 ft 3 in. It is the most popular size for couples in Ireland.”

— Beds.ie size guide (size guide page)

“Queen bed sizes in Ireland are not standard. We list the Irish king at 150 x 200 cm, which is essentially what many Irish retailers call a queen.”

— Caseys Furniture mattress size guide (mattress sizes guide)

“The double size is the most common mattress size in Ireland. It suits single adults who want extra space and couples who don’t mind sleeping close.”

— Right Price Beds mattress size guide (size guide page)

“Our double bed frames are explicitly labelled with dimensions of 135 x 190 cm. Customers should always check the centimetres before buying a queen to avoid confusion.”

— IKEA Ireland mattress size guide (size guide page)

For Irish couples, the choice between a double and a queen comes down to room size and sleep habits. A double fits a 2.5 m x 3 m bedroom and costs less. A queen or two singles offers better sleep quality for partners of different sizes. The concrete consequence: measure your room first, then choose the widest bed that leaves 60 cm of walkway on both sides — or you will have to crawl over your partner every morning.

For a detailed breakdown of the exact measurements, refer to our guide on standard double bed sizes in Ireland.

Frequently asked questions