Why IKEA Frames Don’t Fit Most Irish Artworks – And How to Frame Your New Print Easily

Clémence Prosen
Aug 29
2 min read

Have you ever bought a print you love, brought it home, and then discovered it won’t fit in the IKEA frame you had in mind? You’re not alone – and it’s not because your new print is an odd size! The problem is that IKEA frames are designed for metric sizes, while most Irish and UK artworks (including mine) are made to inch sizes.

A Celtic Zodiac Sign Print framed (10"x12")

Metric vs. Imperial: The Size Mismatch

IKEA & European frames use centimetres: 21×30 cm (A4), 30×40 cm, 40×50 cm, 50×70 cm.

Irish & UK artworks use inches: 8×10″, 10×12″, 10×14″, 12×16″, 16×20″.

A 10×12″ print is approximately 25.4 × 30.5 cm, which doesn’t match any IKEA frame opening. The same goes for 10×14″ (25.4 × 35.6 cm). Even if you try squeezing it in, the proportions are off, so you end up with gaps or a mount that cuts into the picture.

Why Artists Use Inches in Ireland

It’s partly tradition and partly practicality. Many fine art papers, photographic prints, and mount boards come in inch sizes, and most Irish framing suppliers stock frames to match.

So, How Can You Frame My Prints?

The good news is: you don’t need to go custom (unless you want to)!

Woodie’s and Home Store + More both stock frames in inch sizes like 10×12″, 10×14″, 12×16″, and 16×20″ – perfect for my mounted prints.
Smaller homeware shops and some supermarkets also carry inch-standard frames.
If you still want an IKEA frame, choose the next size up (e.g., 40×50 cm) and ask a framer to cut a mount to fit.

What I Do for My Customers

I mount all my prints in standard inch sizes so they’re ready to frame straight from the shop. That way, you can easily find a frame in Woodie’s, Home Store + More, or many other local stores – no need for expensive custom framing.

And I provide frames as well that fit my artworks.

The Bottom Line

IKEA frames are great for metric-sized art, but if you buy an Irish or UK print, you’ll probably have better luck with a local shop that stocks inch-sized frames. With the right size match, your new artwork will look perfect on your wall without any framing headaches.