Do you need a bedskirt? What is the standard bed skirt length, and how do you find out if it will even fit your bed? If you want to bring a polished look to your ensemble, a bedskirt is an often overlooked yet transformative touch. However, questions like these might leave you a bit hesitant to make a move on a new dust ruffle.
Luckily, everything you need to know is right here! Read on for basic tips that make your decision that much easier.
What is a Bedskirt?
A bedskirt (also known as a dust ruffle) is a decorative covering that conceals the underside of your bed.
It has a three-sided skirt that hangs from the top of the box spring to the floor.
A bedskirt completes the look of a comforter, coverlet, quilt, or duvet cover.
Do You Have to Use a Bedskirt?
No. A bedskirt is not necessary to complete your bed ensemble. However, a bedskirt does help to keep dust from collecting under your bed, and it also adds a little extra flourish to your ensemble overall. Comforters, quilts, coverlets, and duvet covers will only hang to the bottom of the mattress, which means the box spring and everything below it will be on full display. This can lead to an unfinished look.
How Do You Put on a Bedskirt?
Bedskirts are either draped over your box spring like a tablecloth OR attached to the sides of your box spring via screw pins, hook-and-loop tape, or an elastic band. The first method requires lifting your mattress off of the box spring while the second method does not.
What Does "Drop" Mean?
For bedskirts, the drop is the measurement taken from the top of the box spring to the floor. A 15 inch drop is the industry standard. An 18 to 21 inch drop will accommodate a taller bed.
What is a Platform?
A platform is the part of the bedskirt that covers the top of the box spring; it is usually white or ecru in color.
Do All Bedskirts Have Platforms?
No. More traditional bedskirts may have a platform, but you can also find detachable bedskirts that feature only the foot panel and side panels.
Bedskirts with Platforms: Fabric covers the top of the box spring and has an attached, three-sided skirt that hangs to the floor.
Requires lifting the mattress off of the box spring to install. Bedskirts will always have platforms unless stated otherwise.
Bedskirts without Platforms: No fabric covers the surface of the box spring, only the foot and two sides.
Does not require lifting the mattress off the box spring to install.
Can You Use More Than One Bedskirt at a Time?
Yes. Bedskirts can be layered one on top of the other for a sophisticated air. Here, a fringed bedskirt was placed over the box spring first, followed by a gathered bedskirt with a lovely damask pattern.
