Bed Skirt Uses, Tips, and Tricks - A Comprehensive Guide

A bed skirt is both a practical and aesthetic addition to the bedroom. From a practical viewpoint, a bed skirt serves to cover up items that are stored under a bed and prevent dust accumulation. From an aesthetic viewpoint, a bed skirt can enhance the look of a bed when luxurious fabrics and finishes are used. We’ll help you understand all the different bed skirt uses in this article.

Bed skirt uses include upgrading bedroom decor, concealing the construction of the bed, preventing the accumulation of dust under the bed, and covering the storage area under the bed.

A bed skirt is a product that you often can see in many households, hotels and guest houses. It gives the impression of warmth, snugness, and comfort. Its main purpose is decorative because it hides the mattress, the box spring, the bed frame, and everything under the bed to create a hidden storage space area and prevent the collection of dust under the bed. Read our article on platform skirts to learn how to install a platform bed skirt to improve the decor in your bedroom.

Many people consider this a product of the past. However, nowadays, bed skirts are found in a variety of colors, lengths, and finishes which incorporate different styles. Bed skirts can be made from a variety of fabrics like cotton, linen, polyester, lace, and microfiber material. Read this article from Korea Science about bedding fabric performance to find out more about the best fabrics for use in the bedroom for different pieces of furniture like your bed, your bed skirt, and mattress. The type of bed skirt you choose is a matter of taste, so let’s find out the advantages and disadvantages of each product and whether a bed skirt is something you need.

What Is a Bed Skirt?

Bed skirt uses include aesthetics, dust prevention, and hiding stored items under a bed.

Bed skirts are available in various colors and materials in the market. They hide the construction of the bed and everything that is under the bed to give a neat and tidy look. They also have a hygienic purpose because they prevent dust from settling under the bed.

A bed skirt is a decorative fabric item that surrounds the bed, improves aesthetic appeal, provides protection against dust, and hides items stored under the bed.

Bed skirts come in classic styles like ruffles and pin-tuck finishes, as well as more modern designs like box pleats and straight tailored corners. We like this easy fit pleated bed skirt from Amazon because it comes in a variety of colors to match any bed set.

Are Bed Skirts Out of Style?

If your mattress rests on a box spring and a metal frame, then a bed skirt is essential to hide the bed frame and give your bed a polished look. Nowadays, bed skirts are made in a more smooth and tailored style, which offer a wide variety of modern options for people who follow trends. Read our article on how to cover a box spring if you want to match your bedroom decor.

Bed skirts are not out of style because people still use them to improve the aesthetics of their beds. Choose a bed skirt made out of high-end fabric with a chic style to spruce up a bedroom.

Different Bed Skirt Uses

Bed skirts are also called dust ruffles because they prevent dust from accumulating underneath the bed, while also concealing boxes and suitcases that you may store under your bed. If you would like to maximise the storage under your bed you could use bed risers or shelves to make the bed higher. Along with bed risers, you can also get a longer bed skirt like this one from Amazon. This is especially useful for college students who have limited storage in the dorm rooms. For more information about improving a college bed, read our article about choosing a mattress topper for college.

Bed skirts are multi-functional. They are used to enhance the bed’s appearance, cover the box spring and bed frame, prevent dust accumulation under the bed, and hide things under the bed.

1. Bed Skirts Enhance Bedroom Décor

The primary purpose of bed skirts is decorative. A bed skirt covers the mattress, its foundation, and the bed frame to give a neat and clean appearance to the room. Bed skirts can either match or contrast with other colors of the room. We like the look of this geometric bed skirt from Amazon.

Choose a bed skirt with prints to brighten up a bed room.

2. Bed Skirts Prevent Dust Accumulation Under The Bed

Bed skirts are pieces of fabric that touch the floor, which offer a barrier to keep dust from accumulating and settling under the bed, while preventing the formation of allergies due to dust mites. This makes it easier for you to clean the floor. Read this article from The Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics tiled, “Dust-Free Bedrooms in the Treatment of Asthmatic Children with House Dust or House Dust Mite Allergy: A Controlled Trial” to find out more about preventing dust accumulation in bedrooms.

3. Bed Skirts Hide the Storage Space Under The Bed

Many people use the space under the bed for storage purposes. Bed skirts cover the space under the bed to hide clutter. Read our article on bed riser alternatives to help create more space for storage under your bed.

One key use of bed skirts is to hide storage containers under a bed.

4. Bed Skirts Conceal A Box Spring or Bed Frame

Bed skirts cover the bed frame—especially those made of metal or wood. This adds comfort, elegance, and warmth inside the room. Read our article about the different bed frames and mattress foundations to learn more about the variety of beds that are available.

And what about a dust ruffle? Make sure to check out our article comparing bed skirts vs dust ruffles to find out what the difference is.

Types of Bed Skirts

Now, let’s take a look at some of the most popular bed skirts and which one best suits your preferences. We’re going to discuss pros and cons.

1. Wrap-Around Bed Skirt

A wrap-around bed skirt like this one from Amazon gives your bed an elegant, neat and classic look. The most significant advantage of wrap-around bed skirts is that they can be put on a bed without removing the mattress.

The elastic in wrap-around bed skirts might loosen over time, meaning that it will no longer be able to hold the bed skirt in place, and may require regular tightening and adjustments.

2. Velcro Bed Skirt

Velcro bed skirts like these from Amazon are detachable bed skirts that hang on the edges of the bed. The advantage is that it stays in place as you install it, and you won’t have to lift the mattress again after the first installation.

The disadvantage of Velcro bed skirts is that they may not cover the entire mattress and bed frame and the velcro strips wear out over time.

3. Box spring wrap

The name itself reveals the purpose of this product. A box spring wrap like this one from Amazon is easy to put on as it simply stretches over the edges of the box spring and fits it tightly. It gives a neat and modern look.

Box spring wraps might stretch over time, and can only be dry-cleaned, which is a slight annoyance.

4. Fitted Sheets

Fitted sheets like these from Amazon are easy to put on a box spring and give a sleek and clean overall appearance. Choose dark colored fitted sheets to cover up the pattern of the box spring, otherwise the pattern will shine through.

Fitted sheets need constant adjusting because they don’t fit tightly on your box spring, and they may move around to reveal the space under the bed.

5. No-Sew Bed Skirts

This type of bed skirt is simply placed over the bed and covers the whole frame. It is a very large bed skirt with a freestyle look. There is no sewing, no tucking, and no adjusting. You simply spread this product over the bed and you’ll get a neat and elegant bed appearance. This side pleat bed skirt from Amazon offers elegance and style to your bed.

No-sew bed skirts can get dirty quickly because of their long length.

We also have a definitive guide that explains all of the different types of bed skirts and their uses that you should take a look at before choosing a new bed skirt for your room.

If you have an adjustable bed, make sure to also take a look at our article on choosing bed skirts for adjustable beds to see which type of bed skirt will work best for you. Also, be sure to read our 6 ways to make a bed skirt stay in place and prevent sliding too.

What Measurements To Follow When Picking a Bed Skirt

To choose the right size of bed skirt, measure the drop length and determine if you want the bed skirt to touch the floor.

Before purchasing or creating any bed skirt, you need to determine the dimensions you need to cover your box spring or what’s under your bed. Take into account the style you are looking for and decide whether you want your bed skirt to touch the ground or not. If you want to prevent dust accumulation or hide the storage area under the bed, then you should pick a long bed skirt that touches the floor.

To measure the drop length of the bed skirt, first remove all bedding to expose the mattress and box spring, then place the measuring tape on the floor and extend it up until it reaches the top of the box spring. Reduce the height by one inch if you want the bed skirt to stay above the floor and not touch the ground.

Most bed skirts have a drop length of 16 inches or slightly less. Typically a bed skirt for a twin sized bed will be 75 inches long and 14 inches tall. A bed skirt for a Queen sized bed will be 80 inches long and 16 inches tall. And a bed skirt for a King sized bed will be 80 inches long and 18 inches tall. You should still measure the length, width, and height of the bed, as the measurements might vary slightly. Even an extra inch can change the way the bed skirt hangs on the bed.

Below is a summary of bed skirt measurements in relation to bed sizes. Note that the height of the bed skirt will depend on the frame + box spring, not the mattress.

Size Of Bed With Box Spring	Bed Skirt Length	Bed Skirt Width	Bed Skirt Drop	Example of Bed Skirt + Link from Amazon	Price of Bed Skirt
Twin bed: 75 x 39 x 15 inches	75 inches	39 inches	14 inches	Dust Ruffle with Split Corner	$30
Queen bed: 80 x 60 x 15 inches	80 inches	60 inches	14 inches	Sheets & Beyond Wrap Around	$20
King bed: 80 x 76 x 17 inches	80 inches	76 inches	16 inches	PiccoCasa Ruffled Bed Skirt	$40
California king bed:84 x 72 x 15 inches	84 inches	72 inches	15 inches	Brielle Home Stream California King Bed Skirt	$20

Make sure to also read our bed skirt height and length guide to find more information on finding the right size for your bed.

In a Nutshell

A well decorated bedroom can be calming and relaxing, and there are many ways to make your bedroom inviting and attractive. Adding a bed skirt to hide storage underneath your bed can quickly reduce the visual clutter and create a feeling of luxury. If you want to learn of more ways to elevate the look and feel of your bedroom then read our article on how to dress up a platform bed.

Bed Skirt Uses, Tips, and Tricks – A Comprehensive Guide