Furniture, mattresses and kids' gear for a Spanish flat

Key rules

• Bed width: Spanish beds are sold by width in cm, so measure your frame before buying a mattress.
• Foreign linen: UK king and US queen or king sheets do not match Spanish 150, 160 and 180 sizes.
• Car seats: Children under 135 cm must use an approved child restraint, and new seats should be R129 (i-Size).
• Sales: The best prices come in the January and July rebajas and at Black Friday.

Measure first: Spanish bed sizes

Spanish beds are sized by width in centimetres, and not every foreign size matches. Singles are usually 80, 90 or 105 cm wide. Doubles are 135, 150, 160, 180 or 200 cm wide. Length is usually 190 or 200 cm.

The most common single is 90x190 or 90x200. A 135x190 is an older standard double. Today 150x190/200 and 160x200 are common. Sizes vary by brand, so measure your bed frame before you buy a mattress.

Will your sheets and duvet fit?

Often not. A UK double (135x190) is close to the Spanish 135. A UK king (150x200) and US queen or king sizes do not match the Spanish 150, 160 and 180 sizes.

• Duvet covers: the funda nórdica is sold by bed width: 90, 135, 150, 160 or 180.
• Fitted sheets: the bajera ajustable must suit the mattress thickness. Spanish mattresses are typically 18-30 cm thick, and many are 20-25 cm. You may need deep-pocket sheets.

Match sheets to your mattress width, length and thickness. Buy Spanish-sized linen rather than shipping it from home.

Where to shop and what to expect

Mainstream chains such as IKEA, Leroy Merlin, Conforama and Maisons du Monde cover most needs. Online mattress brands such as Emma and Pikolin, and the chain Sofás Cama, sell similar ranges.

• Beds, wardrobes, tables, shelving: from tens to a few hundred euros per item.
• Mattresses: from budget foam to several hundred euros for mid-range models.
• Sofas: from budget two-seaters to well over a thousand euros for larger or better-made ones.

Prices drop considerably in the rebajas sales in January and July, and at Black Friday. If you can wait, buy big items then. Check current prices on the retailers' websites.

Children's gear

Baby and children's items are sold at Prénatal, El Corte Inglés, Carrefour, Alcampo, IKEA, Decathlon, the official website, baby-specialist shops and online stores.

• Car seats: children under 135 cm must use an approved child restraint in Spain. Look for the UN ECE R44/04 or the newer i-Size (UN ECE R129) label. R44 seats can still be used, but no new R44 approvals have been issued since 2024, and R129 is the standard for new seats. Rear-facing is advised for as long as possible.
• Cots and playpens: cots must meet EN 716 and playpens EN 1130.
• Marks: products should carry the CE mark and the manufacturer's details. Check the label on each one.
• Second-hand seats: avoid a used car seat if you don't know its history.

Pet supplies

Specialist chains such as Kiwoko and Tiendanimal are the main places to buy. Supermarkets such as Mercadona, Carrefour and Alcampo stock food and basics, and local pet shops and garden centres are common. Online, Zooplus, the official website, Miscota and Arquivet are widely used, mostly for food. Prescription medicines and some special diets are sold only through vets.

The questions below cover common doubts about sheets, mattress thickness, timing and car seats.

Frequently asked questions

Will my UK or US sheets and duvet cover fit a Spanish bed?

Often they will not, because Spanish linen is sold by bed width. A UK double (135x190) is close to the Spanish 135, but a UK king (150x200) and US queen or king sizes differ from the Spanish 150, 160 and 180 sizes. Duvet covers (funda nórdica) come in 90, 135, 150, 160 and 180, so buy by your mattress width.

How thick are Spanish mattresses, and do I need deep fitted sheets?

Spanish mattresses are typically 18 to 30 cm thick, and many are around 20 to 25 cm. Buy a fitted sheet (bajera ajustable) made for your mattress thickness. For thicker models you may need a deep-pocket sheet.

When is the cheapest time to buy furniture and mattresses in Spain?

The cheapest times are the rebajas sales in January and July, and Black Friday. Prices drop considerably then at mainstream retailers and online mattress brands. Outside sales, budget beds, wardrobes and tables cost from tens to a few hundred euros per item.

Can I use my child's old car seat in Spain?

Yes, an older R44 car seat can still be used, but new seats are sold to the R129 (i-Size) standard. Children under 135 cm must use an approved child restraint, and rear-facing is advised for as long as possible. Avoid a second-hand seat if you do not know its history.

References

1. amazon.es