by Unlike traditional bed frames, adjustable beds can be raised or lowered to help some people get a more comfortable night’s sleep. Adjustable beds can have a medical or hospital feel to them, so we recommend decorating them with bed skirts so that they fit seamlessly into your bedroom without disrupting your style. A bed skirt not only injects a decorative touch into the room, but it also conceals the bed frame as well as the storage space under the bed. Since adjustable beds can be raised or lowered, you might wonder how to choose a bed skirt for an adjustable bed. We’ve got some answers for you in this article.
Bed skirts for adjustable beds include commercial wrap-around bed skirts, velcro strip bed skirts, 3-pieces adjustable bed skirts, and no-sew bed skirts. Attaching these bed skirts to an adjustable bed is the same as attaching them to standard platform beds or box springs and metal frames.
You can even create your own bed skirt from a wide range of colors, patterns, and textures to match your unique decor style, while also reducing bed bug infestation and dust accumulation underneath your bed. Read this article from Virginia Tech which lists bed dust ruffles as one of the non-chemical bed bug management techniques.
What is a Bed Skirt?
Give your bed the perfect finish with this Wrap-Around Adjustable Bed Skirt. Image from Amazon. A bed skirt is a decorative fabric that is placed between your mattress and box spring to hide the box spring and the items stored under your bed so that your bedroom looks more neat and tidy.
Bed skirts come in different styles. You may find the classic pleated style, ruffled skirts, and natural linen skirts, all of which can add an elegant touch to your bed. Nowadays, you can find an alternative to traditional bed skirts that goes better in modern spaces, such as box spring covers. Read our guide on bed skirt styles to figure out what kind of bed skirt suits your bedroom decor. Also, you might find interest in our bed skirt height and length guide too.
Typically mattresses for adjustable bed frames bend to match the shape of the bed. They are engineered to morph because they would degrade faster if they weren’t supported properly by the bed foundation.
However, most bed skirts aren’t designed for use with adjustable mattresses which morph. They’re designed for use with traditional mattresses, which don’t bend, and hence you can tuck bed skirts under them. We’ll cover this more in the rest of the article. You can learn more about mattresses for adjustable beds on SleepingOcean.
Can You Use a Traditional Bed Skirt With an Adjustable Bed?
A traditional bed skirt which tucks under the mattress will not work with an adjustable bed because it can get trapped when the bed is tilted or lifted.
A hook and loop bed skirt designed for adjustable beds will use the posts instead of tucking under the mattress.
This tailored bed skirt is specifically designed to fit adjustable beds. The hook-and-loop closures allow the bed skirt to fit neatly around any support poles without the need for any cutting or tearing. Image from Amazon.A regular bed skirt cannot properly adjust to the motion of an adjustable bed, as it risks getting torn or stuck in a hinge or space between the frame and the platform. However, you can do a little bit of DIY work or purchase a readymade bed skirt specially designed for adjustable beds.
Do not use a traditional bed skirt with an adjustable bed because it can get stretched or stuck in a gap when raising, lowering, or tilting the bed. Instead, use commercial wrap-around bed skirts, velcro strip bed skirts, adjustable bed skirts, or bed skirts with hook and loop closures for adjustable beds.
Some bed skirt designs have hook-and-loop closures, which allow the bed skirt to fit neatly around any support poles without the need for any cutting or tearing. Make sure to also take a look at 6 ways to make a bed skirt stay in place and prevent sliding too.
Make sure to also read our article comparing bed skirts vs dust ruffles to find out what the difference is between the two. You might also find interest in learning about the common bed skirt designs and their benefits too.
Types of Bed Skirts That Work With an Adjustable Bed
1. Commercial Wrap-Around Bed Skirts
This is by far the easiest solution to getting a bed skirt for a bed that is adjustable. This type of bed skirt requires minimal effort to install and can be found at most bedding stores. Wrap-around bed skirts come with elastic sides so that they can just be pulled on to the bed without the need of lifting the mattress. This 16-inch drop bed skirt from Amazon comes in a variety of colors and is machine washable.
2. Velcro Strips Bed Skirts
Usually when you have a bed that has sides moving independently of each other, using bed skirts with velcro strips is the best approach when it comes to installation. The strips are attached directly and easily around the bed frame. Pay careful attention when installing Velcro bed skirt strips because it requires a lot of precision and concentration because you do not want the velcro strips to be crooked. Velcro strips can be purchased from Amazon and positioned on a ready-made bed skirt as a way to customize the bed skirt for use on an adjustable bed frame.
3. 3-Piece Adjustable Bed Skirts
This type of bed skirt comes in three pieces to be attached on the sides and foot of the bed by sewing or glueing it onto the bed foundation. Its dimensions can be adjusted according to the measurements of the bed. Carefully measure the bed skirt drop when adhering the bed skirt to the bed so that all the sides are hanging evenly. This 3-piece bed skirt from Amazon has split corners so that it can be positioned with some overlap on the corners to properly conceal the bed frame and to adapt to an adjustable bed frame.
4. No-Sew Bed Skirts That Are Attached With Bed Skirt Pins
These are attached separately via pins to hold the fabric bed skirt in place. This is pretty easy and does not require much time. This pleated dust ruffle can be easily secured in place with the use of these upholstery twist pins, both from Amazon.
5. Make Your Own Bed Skirt With a Little Bit of DIY
This method is convenient, as you can select the fabric and the color of your choice to create a custom look that perfectly compliments your bedroom decor. This checked woven linen fabric from Amazon will create a classic and sophisticated look in a bedroom.
Making your own bed skirt involves sewing three separate panels of fabric and then securing them to the bed frame or foundation. If you can sew in a continuous straight line, then this task will be easy for you to do. To make your own DIY bed skirt measure the length and height of both sides of the bed, as well as length and height of the foot of the bed. Then add about 1.5-inches all around for the hem. Watch this video to see how to sew a hem and turn a corner. A corner turner like this one from Amazon is useful for making good points when sewing corners and this mini-sewing machine from Amazon is a great start machine if you plan on making custom bed skirts for your adjustable bed.
The Essential Starter Kit For Making Your Own Bed Skirts For Adjustable Beds.
| Item | Example | Price | Alternative | Price |
| Tape Measure | Dual-sided tape measure | ~$10 | 60-Inch retractable tape measure | ~$5 |
| Sewing Machine | Aonesy Portable sewing machine | ~$80 | Multi-functional mini sewing machine | ~$50 |
| Fabric Scissors | Mr Pen heavy duty fabric scissors | ~$10 | Fiskars titanium easy action scissors | ~$15 |
| Sewing Kit | Mini travel sewing kit | ~$10 | Goando sewing kit | ~$20 |
| Fabric Glue | iCraft fabric adhesive | ~$5 | Gorilla spray adhesive | ~$10 |
| Velcro Strips | 16 Feet lenght Velcro tape | ~$10 | Velcro black tape roll with adhesive | ~$15 |
| Upholstery Pins | Bluluu steel T-pins | ~$5 | Rustark 250 piece upholstery tacks | ~$10 |
Make sure to also take a look at our comprehensive guide to bed skirt uses tips and tricks for more ideas. Also, our article explaining the different types of bed skirts and their uses may also provide you with some new ideas.
How to Fit a Bed Skirt On an Adjustable Bed
Traditional bed skirts with their fixed middle portion mean that fitting a bed skirt in the past would involve completely removing or lifting the whole mattress—which would inevitably require more than one person. Thankfully modern bed skirts come in separate panels that can be easily wrapped or positioned on the sides and foot of the bed. Read our quick and easy bed skirt hacks article to elevate the look of your bedroom.
To fit a bedskirt on an adjustable bed first buy a wrap-around, velcro, or adjustable bed skirt which fits the bed frame. Manufacturer’s instructions for installing bed skirts will vary. In general, start at one corner of the footboard and work around the bed in sections to attach the bed skirt to the frame instead of the mattress and then attach the whole bed skirt together.
Step 1. Buy A Wrap-Around, Velcro, Or Adjustable Bed Skirt
First measure the width and the length of the bed, and then determine the drop length—which is the distance from the floor to the top of the bed frame. You can decide whether you want a bed skirt that just skims the floor or touches the floor. A bed skirt that is too short won’t properly hide the stored items under the bed, and a bed skirt that puddles or settles on the floor will get dirty quickly and might be a tripping hazard. Read our article on platform bed skirts to find out more about measuring and fitting a bed skirt.
A commercial wrap around might only come in a few varieties and if you are using velcro strips, those will need to be bought and attached separately.
Useful tools to have handy when fitting or installing a DIY bed skirt include, a tape measure, upholstery pins, Velcro strips, dress-making pins, fabric glue, sewing needle and thread, and a sewing machine.
Step 2. Start At One Corner of the Foot Board and Work Around Your Bed
Follow your manufacturer’s instructions. For example, this smart skin instruction guide from Sleep number shows how hook and loop bed skirts can work with their adjustable beds. In general this involves starting by finding the center of your fabric strip, then position its center to the center of the foot of the bed and continue covering the front of the bed with the fabric, loosely tacking it on the frame as you go.
Step 3. Attach Your Bed Skirt
This step involves either using bed skirt pins, velcro strips, elastic or sewing the pieces together depending on the bed skirt that you have bought.
If you are using velcro strips, then you need to attach them directly to the bed frame. Work your way around until you reach the headboard. Adhere the Velcro adhesive to the bed frame first by peeling the protective strip and pressing it firmly to the frame. Then remove the other protective strip and press the fabric to the Velcro that’s on the frame.
For a DIY skirt, make sure the stitches are strong enough so that the fabric does pull apart.
Why Get a Bed Skirt For an Adjustable Bed?
An adjustable bed has a medical feel and often doesn’t align with the style of the room. Using a bedskirt is a great option for aesthetic purposes because it softens the look of the bed and provides a covering for the bed frame.
A bedskirt for an adjustable bed is used to give the bed a stylish appearance by hiding the sides of the frame or any space under the bed.
Since the platform of an adjustable bed can be raised and lowered, it requires specific bed skirts that can adhere to the motion of the bed. Be sure to also check out our related article explaining how to choose an orthopedic mattress for an adjustable bed as well for more information.
Other Tips to Decorate an Adjustable Bed
Decorating an adjustable bed will help to give a coherent look and feel to the bedroom so that the space feels welcoming and relaxing.
Other tips to decorate an adjustable bed include adding sheets, adding decorative pillows, using shelves, or using different kinds of fabric.
Tip 1. Use Sheets with Special Features
To keep your adjustable bed neat, you can secure sheets with special features to your bed. Choose between fitted sheets with extra deep pockets or oversized flat sheets so that they can move with the adjustable base. Make sure to clip the sheets with sheet straps or suspenders to keep them in place. We recommend these extra deep sheets from Amazon along with these bed sheet holder straps.
Tip 2. Spread Decorative Pillows Over the Bed
Spread some decorative pillows or cushions on the bed to liven up the entire room. If your room has muted tones, then incorporate a pop of color with bright and colorful decorative pillows. On the other hand, if your room already has an accent wall, then you can select neutral colors for the pillows to add a little bit of contrast. These decorative throw pillows add texture and interest to a bed whilst also matching more neutral decor schemes.
Tip 3. Build Shelves
Integrate a few shelves to your bed to give it a unique and appealing look. The shelves can be built as part of the headboard or the footboard of the bed. They act as a storage space to keep essential items within reach, and they create a comfortable environment for the sleeper. These floating shelves can be easily attached to or above a headboard.
Tip 4. Match Different Fabrics
You do not need to stick to the same kind and colors of sheets and coverlets. Try mixing and matching different textures to make the bed a focal point inside the room. For instance, try to match a leather duvet with soft cotton sheets, or complement a quilt made of down filling with plain color silk sheets. We like this fluffy duvet cover set from Amazon because of the interesting look of the texture and the warmth it will provide during chilly nights.
Make sure to also take a look at how to choose the right bed skirt shoe organizer if you’re interested in learning more about these dual-purpose bed skirts.