Linen Bedding Sizes in Ireland: A Clear Guide

If you have ever unwrapped a beautiful linen duvet cover, held it up to the bed, and thought, “That looks… smaller than I expected,” you are not alone. Bedding sizes in Ireland sound straightforward until you meet the real world: deeper mattresses, toppers, different naming between Ireland and the UK, and duvets that have shrunk a touch after years of washing. Linen is wonderfully forgiving on the bed, but sizing still matters if you want that calm, tailored look.

This linen bedding size guide Ireland customers ask for most often focuses on what actually affects fit - mattress depth, tuck style, and how linen behaves over time - so you can buy once and sleep happily for years.

Linen bedding size guide Ireland: the sizes you will meet

In Ireland, standard bed sizes typically follow the familiar Single, Double, King and Super King pattern. The confusion usually starts when you are shopping across Irish and UK retailers, or when a duvet is labelled by the bed size it is “for” rather than the duvet’s own measurements.

A good rule: always shop by the finished dimensions of the product, then check your own duvet and mattress with a tape measure. Don’t rely on the name alone.

Standard Irish mattress sizes (typical)

Most Irish mattresses fall into these approximate sizes:

Single is usually 90 x 190 cm. Double is commonly 135 x 190 cm. King is often 150 x 200 cm. Super King is typically 180 x 200 cm.

Older mattresses can run slightly shorter (especially singles), while newer mattresses and many premium ranges tend to be deeper. If your mattress is 25 cm deep, many standard fitted sheets will cope. If you are at 30-40 cm because you have a pillow-top, a deep base, or a topper, you need to size with that depth in mind or you will spend your mornings re-hooking corners.

Common duvet sizes used in Ireland

Duvets are where most “it depends” scenarios appear. Irish homes often use UK-standard duvet sizes, but you will also see European sizes in some retailers.

As a practical starting point, many Irish duvets are around: Single 135 x 200 cm, Double 200 x 200 cm, King 230 x 220 cm, Super King 260 x 220 cm. Some European duvets (especially for doubles) appear as 200 x 220 cm.

That extra length can be a gift if you like a generous drop at the foot of the bed, but it can also make a cover feel slightly baggy if the duvet inside is shorter. Your best move is to measure your actual duvet - edge to edge - and match the cover to that.

How to measure properly (and why linen makes it worth doing)

You only need five minutes and a tape measure. Measure your mattress width and length, then depth from the side (including any topper you leave on permanently). For duvet covers, measure the duvet itself rather than trusting a label you no longer have.

Linen changes subtly with use. High quality linen relaxes, becomes softer, and can tighten a touch after washing, especially if you wash warm and tumble dry. Many people air-dry linen, which keeps it in excellent shape and reduces energy use, but it also means your linen will keep a more natural, lightly textured finish rather than being “ironed flat”. None of this is a problem - it is part of linen’s charm - but it is another reason precise measuring helps you get that easy, elegant drape.

Choosing linen sheets: fitted, flat, or a flexible mix

Linen sheets are not one-size-fits-all in feel or styling. The right choice depends on how you make your bed and how much movement you have at night.

Fitted sheets: best for a crisp, anchored feel

If you want your sheet to stay put, fitted is the simplest route. The crucial detail is depth. A fitted sheet that is perfect in width and length can still ping off if the corners are not cut for your mattress height.

If your mattress is standard depth, most fitted options will suit you. If you are on the deeper side, size for depth first, then confirm elastic quality. Linen has less “stretch” than jersey cotton, so the pattern and elastic need to do the work.

Flat sheets: best for flexibility and deep mattresses

Flat sheets are underrated, particularly for deeper mattresses. If you like hospital corners or an extra-generous tuck, a flat sheet gives you far more control. You can also use a flat sheet to bridge small sizing mismatches - for example, if your fitted sheet is snug but you want more coverage at the sides.

Flat sheets also suit those who prefer a breathable layer between skin and duvet, which can be especially comfortable with linen’s temperature-regulating feel.

A mix that works in real Irish homes

Many people in Ireland use a fitted sheet for the base and a flat sheet as a top layer in warmer months, then swap to a duvet in winter. Linen makes this easy because it performs across seasons without feeling clammy.

Duvet covers: getting the drop right on the sides

A duvet cover that matches your duvet size is the baseline, but the “look” comes from drop - how much cover hangs down the sides of the bed.

If you like a neat, hotel-style bed, match duvet to bed size and keep the drop moderate. If you like a more relaxed, luxurious drape, consider sizing the duvet up (and therefore the duvet cover up) - for example, using a King duvet on a Double bed. The trade-off is bulk: a larger duvet can feel heavier to manoeuvre, and you will want a duvet with the right warmth rating so you do not overheat.

If you share a bed with someone who steals the duvet, sizing up can be the most practical upgrade you make all year.

Pillowcases: standard vs continental, and why it matters

Irish households commonly use standard pillows, but continental (square) pillows appear often in styled beds and guest rooms. Before buying, check what you actually sleep on every night versus what is purely decorative.

Standard pillowcases suit sleeping pillows and keep your linen spend focused where it matters most: next to your face. Continental pillowcases add height and a layered look, but they are only worth it if you have the inserts or plan to use them.

Linen pillowcases are a favourite first purchase because you feel the benefit immediately - breathable, gentle on skin, and naturally comfortable year-round.

Linen shrinkage, “ease”, and the fit you should aim for

Linen is a natural fibre, and with natural fibres you plan for a little movement. Most good makers cut with sensible allowances so the finished piece remains true to size after normal care. Still, your habits matter.

If you wash at lower temperatures and air-dry, your linen tends to hold its dimensions very well and ages beautifully. If you regularly tumble dry hot, you may see more tightening over time. The trade-off is convenience versus longevity. For many homes, a middle ground works: a gentle wash, a quick low tumble to soften, then finish on the line.

When choosing sizes, aim for a fit that is correct rather than tight. Linen looks best with a little ease - it drapes, it breathes, and it never needs to look strained.

Special cases: deep mattresses, toppers, and non-standard beds

This is where most returns come from, and also where a quick measure saves the day.

If you use a topper all year, measure with the topper on. If your mattress is especially deep, prioritise fitted sheets designed with deeper corners or choose a flat sheet approach. If you have an IKEA or European frame, confirm the mattress length - many are 200 cm long even when you are used to 190 cm.

For antique or custom beds, treat sizing as bespoke: measure everything and buy by centimetres, not names.

For makers in Ireland: fabric planning by project size

If you sew your own bedding, you already know that the “size” question is really a cutting plan question. Add seam allowances, allow extra for shrinkage pre-wash, and think about weave width so you are not forced into awkward joins.

A simple approach is to pre-wash and dry your linen the way you will care for the finished piece, then measure again before cutting. It is a small step that prevents heartbreak later, especially on larger projects like duvet covers and flat sheets.

If you are buying ready-made linen bedding or linen fabric by the metre, you will find both options at PureLinen.IE - designed and hand made in Ireland with premium Irish and European flax linen for long-wearing comfort.

Buying with confidence: the three checks that prevent sizing regrets

Most sizing mistakes come from assumptions, not from the product. Before you place the order, do three quick checks: measure your mattress depth (including toppers), measure your duvet, and decide how you like your bed to look (neat drop or generous drape). Once you know those, the correct size becomes obvious, and linen becomes the easy part - wash, sleep, repeat.

A well-fitted linen bed does not need to be perfect to feel luxurious. It just needs to suit how you live: the way you tuck, the way you wash, and the way you want your home to feel when you turn down the covers at night.