by Bed skirts are available in a wide variety of colors, patterns, and sizes. They can be ruffled, tailored, pleated, with split or pleated corners. Apart from the style, knowing what bed skirt material you like will help you achieve the desired look for your bedroom as well as properly conceal the bed frame or box spring. Whatever you might choose, consider the color of your box spring, and choose a fabric that is opaque enough to camouflage any patterns.
Different types of bed skirt materials include linen, chenille, faux suede, taffeta, microfiber, or DIY cotton bed sheets. Heavy cotton is the most common material used in the production of bed skirts because it is durable, keeps its shape, and it can be ironed to remove creases.
Consider the opacity, durability, and washability of the fabric before going shopping, as these factors might impact your selection. Read this article from Wiley Online Library about the laundering durability of cotton to find out why cotton fabric is the preferred choice for high-quality bedding.
What Is a Bed Skirt?
A bed skirt can be made of soft or sturdier materials depending on what look you want your bed to have. A lighter fabric will help you achieve a ruffled look while a heavy fabric will make the skirt appear straight or pleated, creating a clean and polished design. Read our article on bed skirt tips and tricks to see a comprehensive bed skirt guide on the variety of fabrics, colors, and lengths of bed skirts.
A bed skirt, also known as a dust ruffle, is a decorative piece of fabric that is placed in between the mattress and the box spring to add a neat and elegant finish to your bed. This decorative piece of bedding is used to cover the box spring, the bed construction, and the area under the bed that may be used for storage.
1. Linen Bed Skirts
A linen bed skirt covers the box spring and drapes towards the ground to hide the space underneath the bed. The linen fabric is usually used to create tailored or box-pleated bed skirts. The panels are easily pinned into the box spring and are available in various materials such as cotton, lace, and wool. Linen tends to wrinkle and will likely require ironing to get the fabric nice and flat again. This linen bed skirt from Amazon offers the perfect coverage for the storage area.
This linen bed skirt is made of a heavy material that doesn’t have ruffles. It gives the room a clean and modern look. Image from Amazon.2. Chenille Bed Skirts
A chenille bed skirt is durable and soft and looks exactly like what its name means in french: a caterpillar. It has a nubby pile, which is effective for hiding dirt. However, be careful if you have a pet at home, as the fabric can be easily snagged and destroyed by animal claws. This chenille bed skirt adds an elegant touch to your bedroom.
Chenille provides a more traditional and opulent look to a bed. Image from Amazon.3. Faux Suede Bed Skirts
Faux suede is an animal-friendly material that’s durable and offers a sleek and sturdy look. Because of its heavy-textured fabric, it will retain its shape and give the bed skirt design a crisp and elegant look. However, a faux suede bed skirt is not stain-resistant, which makes it harder to clean. This faux suede bed skirt on Amazon adds a luxurious accent to your bedroom with minimal effort and fuss.
Bed skirt materials consisting of faux suede provide a clean, elegant, look. However, they can get dirty over time because they’re hard to clean. Image from Amazon.4. Taffeta Bed Skirts
A taffeta bed skirt, whether plain or shiny, offers the ultimate luxurious look to the entire bedroom. It is considered a high-end fabric with a smooth silk surface that is shrink-resistant. The fabric retains its shape and does not easily crease unless you sit on it. This gold taffeta bed skirt will add glamour and luxury to your bedding with its shimmering texture.
A good alternative to taffeta is satin because it also has a sheen and is opaque. Read this article from Wiley Online Library titled, “Use of a Silklike Bedding Fabric in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis” to find out how the use of smoother silklike fabrics can offer relief to people with skin conditions like eczema.
A crinkle satin bed skirt is soft and luxurious while also providing a look of opulence. Image from Amazon.5. DIY Bed Skirts Made From Bed Sheets
A bed skirt can be easily stitched together using any fabric material of your choice. Use a particular fabric on hand, such as old bedsheets. You can add split corners or combine tailored and pleated styles. The style is all up to you but keep in mind that creating your own bed skirt is time-consuming and requires special skills. Read our article on 10 bed skirt alternatives, where we discuss various bed skirt styles and how to make your own bed skirt to suit your specific taste.
A bed skirt made from bed sheets will generally retain its shape and provide good coverage for the bed construction and the area under the bed. Whatever material you might choose, consider the color of your box spring because if it is dark and your bed skirt is light, then it may show through.
Below is a summary of different types of bed skirt materials, with their pros and cons. We’ve also given you an idea of how much they cost per yard in case you want to DIY your own bed skirts.
| Bed Skirt Material | Advantages of This Bed Skirt Material | Disadvantages of This Bed Skirt Material | Example Product from Amazon + Link | Price Range Per Yard |
| Linen | DurableHolds its shape | Needs ironing after washing | Simple&Opulent Belgian Linen Bed Skirt | ~$60 |
| Chenille | SoftHides dust | Easily damaged by pets | Chenille Linen bed skirt | ~$50 |
| Faux Suede | DurableGreat coverageUnique look | Hard to clean | Faux Suede Bed Skirt | ~$100 |
| Taffeta/Satin | Luxurious lookDurableHolds its shape | Expensive Visible wrinkles if folded | Wrinkle-free satin bed skirt | ~$40 |
| Bed Sheets | DurableVarious colors and patterns | Requires sewing skillsCouldn’t fit if measurements were incorrect | Amazon Basics Microfiber Sheet Set | ~$20 |
Depending on the type of bed you have, you might also find interest in how to further dress up your bedroom with our sleigh bed comforter ideas.
How to Calculate Bed Skirt Measurements
Most bed skirts come in standard measurements to fit the usual bed sizes. Sometimes, however, you may want to make your bed skirt longer because your bed is taller than the standard height. For more information read our guide on bed skirt heights and lengths to help you choose the right dimensions of a bed skirt.
To calculate bed skirt measurements, measure the length and width of the bed foundation and the drop length from the top of the box spring to the floor. Add 2 inches to the length and width of foundation to allow some material for bed skirt pins to secure the bed skirt. Also, subtract 1 inch from the drop length to ensure that the bed skirt doesn’t touch the floor.
Step 1. Measure Bed Length and Height to Determine Drop Length and Height
Write down the length and the height of one side of the bed which will be applied to the 2 side panels of the bed skirt. Measure the bed width and height at the foot to apply on the third panel. If you are making a split corner bed skirt then you need 2 more panels for the corner each is the bed height squared.
Step 2. Measure the Bed Length and Width to Determine the Platform Length and Width
The length and width of the bed is going to determine how long and wide the platform of the bed skirt will be. The platform’s width measurement should have 2 inches added to it, because it will be pinned into the box spring. The drop of the bed skirt is the height of the bed, you can take an inch off it if you prefer the bed skirt to be slightly above the floor.
Step 3. Add a Half or Quarter Inch for Seam Allowance
Don’t forget to add ¼ or ½ an inch for seam allowance.
If you are going to have box pleats, add additional inches to the length of the bed skirt depending on how many pleats you will include. One pleat is usually 2 inches, but it can be customized.
Summary
The length of your bed skirt will equal the bed length + box pleats*number of pleats + seam allowance.
The length of the bed skirt platform will be equal to the bed length + seam allowance.
The width of the bed skirt will equal the bed width + box pleats*number of pleats + seam allowance.
The width of the bed skirt platform will be the same as the bed width + seam allowance.
Below is a summary of bed skirt measurements for different bed sizes:
| Bed Size | Bed Dimensions | Bed Skirt Yardage Needed |
| Twin size | 39” width X 70” length | 6.11 yds or 220 inches, assuming you don’t have box pleats |
| Full size | 54” width X 78” length | 7.4 yds or 260 inches, assuming you don’t have box pleats |
| Queen size | 60” width X 80” length | 7.85 yds or 288 inches, assuming you don’t have box pleats |
| King size | 70” width X 80” length | 8.4 yds or 302 inches, assuming you don’t have box pleats |
You may also be interested in our related article explaining what to do if a bed skirt is too long too.
Types of Bed Skirt Designs
In addition to different materials that can be used for bed skirts, you can also create different designs. A tailored design with box pleats can make a bed look pristine and sleek, while a traditional ruffled design can add an element of whimsy and soften the look of the bed frame. Read our article on quick and easy bed skirt hacks to elevate your room for more information on the versatility of bed skirts.
Types of bed skirt designs include ruffled skirts, pleated skirts, quilted skirts, and tailored skirts. Ruffled bed skirts offer a sophisticated look to a bedroom. Pleated and quilted bed skirts are more ornate. Tailored bed skirts are sleek and modern.
Ruffled Bed Skirts
A ruffled bed skirt is a traditional bed skirt design that has been used for centuries. The ruffles flow and cascade towards the floor to create a romantic effect inside the bedroom. This style goes perfectly with a wooden floor or a cabin-themed bedroom because the ruffles make the bed look fresh and casual, and add softness to the rustic look of the wood. This ruffled bed skirt can be a perfect addition to your bed if you want to simplify your bedroom decor and still make it look romantic.
This ruffled bed skirt adds an element of charm to a bedroom by softening the look of the box spring. Image source Amazon.Pleated Bed Skirts
Pleated bed skirts are available in a wide variety of fabrics and colors. They are pretty popular as they offer a calm and neat finished bed look. Two or more box pleats are folded into the foot or sides of the skirt. Box pleats are formed when two folds of fabric are folded in opposite directions. The pleated style has an elastic band to ensure a better grip. This pleated bed skirt from Amazon promotes style, warmth, and a calm ambiance in bedrooms.
This box pleated bed skirt was chosen in a contrasting color and provides an interesting pop of color to the neutral decor. Image source Amazon.Quilted Bed Skirts
Quilted bed skirts are made of more than one fabric put together with a filling in between, creating one thick layer of the bed skirt. They are usually made of high-end fabrics like silk and come in simple patterns. Quilted bed skirts can add warmth if your room feels cold. This quilted bed skirt from Amazon can complement a variety of bedding styles while incorporating an elegant touch.
The textures and ornate stitching on this quilted bed skirt offer a subtle and classic style. Image source Amazon.Tailored Bed Skirts
Tailored bed skirts are a premium choice. These fine bed skirts stay in place and offer a sleek and organized look that won’t go unnoticed. They can even include a pleat on each side. If you are looking for a formal design, then don’t think twice. This tailored bed skirt from Amazon can turn your bedroom into a modern and stylish sanctuary.
This tailored bed skirt elevates the room because of its sleek and uncluttered design. Image source Amazon.