A bed skirt is a decorative piece that most commonly falls from the bottom of a box spring to cover the legs and frame.
There are many alternatives for making a bed skirt, some low cost and beautiful designs.
Ditch the traditional bed skirt and update your bedroom with these creative designs.
1. A Fitted Sheet
Placing a fitted sheet on the bed frame doesn’t cover the under-bed area but will look sleek to outsiders, offering a more subdued cover for the unattractive box springs.
Using a darker color can also keep the print on the box spring from showing through the sheet.
Pros
- Clean and simple
- Covers box spring print
- Low-cost solution
Cons
- Box spring print shows through sheet
2. Drapes or Curtains
Drape a long piece of fabric over the box spring and connect to the bed frame for an instant, customized skirt without sewing a stitch. This look is ideal if you have brightly colored walls, but it doesn’t look just right with natural colors.
Pros
- Cost-effective
- Attractive Design
- Easy Installation
Cons
- Not suited for light color walls (dark walls show through)
3. Making Your Own
If you don’t like the look of a bed skirt, consider making your own.
Use plain fabric to cover the under-bed area by cutting two squares, each slightly longer than both sides of your box spring frame. Using heavy-duty staples, attach the fabric on either side of the box springs for a polished appearance that is quick and easy to make yourself without sewing a stitch. You can use any color or pattern choice; just be sure to coordinate it with your comforter and other accessories in the room.
Pros
- Customized size
- Cost-effective
- No sewing required
- Easy installation
Cons
Less attractive design than store-bought fabric covers (multiple staples can be visible)
4. Skeleton Bedskirt
It looks like Halloween, but this skeleton bed skirt offers an entertaining solution for covering up bottomless beds when you open dresser and closet doors.
Pros
- Easy installation
- Cost-effective (free)
- Attractive Design
Cons
- Can’t be washed or cleaned easily, so spot cleaning is necessary
5. Wrap-Around Bed Skirt
The “wrap-around” bed skirt offers a quick alternative to more traditional style skirts. These sheets are ideal for those who wish to hide the space under their bed and are available online to purchase at many retailers.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Reusable
- Attractive design (most come in different colors and patterns)
- Invisible once installed under the bed
Cons
- Must be purchased new each year if desired, since they cannot be washed or cleaned without falling apart
Instead, consider making a reversible bed skirt as an alternative that can easily be switched out when cleaning is necessary.
6. Reversible Bed Skirt
You can turn any decorative fabric into a reversible bed skirt sheet with this simple technique! This method also allows you to add flair by varying the fabrics or textures of your choice and allows you to customize the look based on the season. As an added bonus, you won’t have to purchase replacement skirts each year because these are washable.
Pros
- Easy to make
- Simple Construction
- Customizable pattern/fabric choice, based on the room’s decor and changing seasons
- Reversible (two colors) for two season versatility
Cons
- More expensive than store-bought skirt alternatives ($15-$25 average) depending on fabric choice and materials used in construction
7. Quilted Bed Skirt
Instead of purchasing a bed skirt from a store, consider sewing one yourself using quilting cotton or wool fabrics. It will be just as stylish as an off-the-shelf option, but you can tailor it to fit your bed perfectly since custom bed skirts are in demand.
Pros
- Can create a custom fit
- Easy to make
- Privacy provided
Cons
- Requires sewing experience and supplies (a small project that will take multiple hours)
8. Velcro Bed Skirts
For no-sew options, velcro bed skirts provide an inexpensive solution for bedroom privacy. An added bonus is that they are also easy to use – just stick them on the box springs and mattress and you are good to go! As a downside, this option doesn’t look as nice as other alternatives, but it can be a great choice if you need something fast.
Pros
- Easy installation
- Can wash skirt when dirty (velcro doesn’t come loose or fall off)
- Invisible under comforters/bed sheets
Cons
- Ugly design compared to other options (hidden cheap hook & loop tape shows through the fabric)
9. Box Spring Wrap
Instead of purchasing a bed skirt that only works with your mattress, this wrap-around design can be used on both the box spring and mattress simultaneously.
In addition, you can use any type of fabric or pattern since it is fully customizable by sewing three panels together to create a cover that goes over the entire bottom of the box springs. Once attached, a bed skirt along each side will look like it was made specifically for your style and budget!
Pros
- Customizable fabric/pattern choice (based on room decor)
- Easy to make yourself, no sewing required
- Cost-effective if you have fabric and basic sewing supplies available at home
- Consistent appearance across multiple beds in various rooms (take time to
Cons
- Needs to be washed more regularly than other bed skirts, since sheets can’t always cover it completely when soiled (an easy wash cycle or dry cleaning will work with this skirt)
10. Window Valance
Window treatments are often overlooked when designing bedrooms. This bed skirt method is an easy way to add extra decoration near the box spring by simply placing a window valance over it, and then covering the box springs with regular sheets. Since they come in many styles (bows, pleats, etc.), you will be able to find one that matches your overall room decor perfectly.
Pros
- Easy to make yourself (just need two panels of fabric [60” x 14”] that can be easily cut)
- Full-room look under the bed from just one purchase
Cons
- No privacy if you use thin fabrics like muslin or voile without adding other layers behind it for more privacy (use lightweight blankets or quilts to complete the look)
How Many Bed Skirts Do I Need?
How many bed skirts do you need depends on how many beds are in your home. If desired, you can use a different style for each room; however, the same style is fine if you are looking for an overall theme and continuity for a particular room design. If you have multiple beds that require skirts, consider buying multi-packs of varying sizes that include both flat and box spring skirts. Here are some additional measurements to better help determine the right size: 3-inch drop = 12-inch length, 6-inch drop = 24-inch length, 9-inch drop = 36-inch length.
How to Choose a Bed Skirt Style for Your Home
If you’re looking for that extra touch to enhance your bedroom decor and feel like you have more than enough beds in the house for that, but you still want to add that special something, by using one of these suggestions we’ll show you it’s easy to get a custom look with store-bought bed skirts.
No matter what style or design aesthetic you’ve created within the room where your bed is going to be located, there are many bed skirts styles available. No matter if it’s a dusty miller style or even an elegant lace look, there is something available for you to use as an addition to your bedroom decor.
It makes it much easier for you to get a good look that will fit within the room where you’re placing the bed and provide some much-needed privacy or an elegant touch using any of these options, but just like anything else, shopping online is always going to save you money. With prices ranging from $10-$325, there’s no doubt that getting some ideas about what styles are available can be useful.
Conclusion
No matter what style or design aesthetic you’ve created within the room where your bed is going to be located, there are many bed skirts styles available. No matter if it’s a dusty miller style or even an elegant lace look, there is something available for you to use as an addition to your bedroom decor. It makes it much easier for you to get a good look that will fit within the room where you’re placing the bed and provide some much-needed privacy or an elegant touch using any of these options, but just like anything else, shopping online is always going to save you money.
