15 Bed Skirt Alternatives (Bedroom Ideas)

These are the bed skirt alternatives, including why it’s needed, the different fabric options, creative ideas, and the average length of skirts.

Bed skirts make your typical box spring bed look more seamless, cleaner, and more luxurious. Bed skirts can bring that “hotel feel” to your bedroom. However, they aren’t always the easiest, nor the most convenient attachments to have. [toc]

Here are some alternatives to bed skirts for homeowners that are worth considering.

Fitted Sheets 

A nice fitted sheet doesn’t technically offer all of the offerings of a proper bed skirt, especially in terms of presentation and appearance, but it does work as an awesome and practical substitute. It isn’t perfect, for sure. It won’t technically cover the frame or the area under it, but it has certain advantages.

For starters, you don’t need to buy any extra items. There are no special tasks or tools required to attach it to most types of mattresses. And if you’re opting for a bedroom design that looks minimalist and modern, fitted sheets will be able to fit right in.

You can always go for a slightly larger fitted sheet size if you want to include covering up your box spring. You can easily match it with any color and design you may have in mind, and the best part in all of this is that you can periodically change it and throw it in the washer to keep things clean and sanitary.

Flat Sheets

Flat sheets can be used as box spring covers, granted that they’re oversized or much larger compared to the actual mattress. All you need to do is ensure they’re placed right underneath the mattress and then allow the extra material to cascade down towards the floor.

Flat sheets are readily available, and there’s a pretty good chance that you have a wide selection of them in and around the house, so there isn’t any need for you to buy new ones. They come in different patterns, colors, materials, and even textures.

One thing to note, though, is that they can slip and shift, which means that you will need to make adjustments now and then. This can be a bit of a hassle. Still, it does serve its purpose quite well as a bed skirt alternative.

Window Curtains Or Valance

If you’re a fan of upcycling, a window valance might work for you they’re great when making bed skirts out of them and can work particularly well if you’re fond of thin skirting or similar design styles.

They can be purchased very cheaply. All you need are a couple of valances that are of the same length, and make sure that you use them for both sides of the bed. Just ensure that you get a shorter material for the foot area of the box spring, and ensure they’re all pinned together once you’re done.

Window valances are available in both physical stores and online, and if you have the time for it, you can even make them fancier by adding folds, ripples, and so much more. You need to make sure that you measure them out and that they match your particular box spring size.

Take note, though, that window valances can be heavy, so pay attention to the kind of fabric you’re picking. Heavier fabrics tend to sag over time, which means that you may need to reinforce them with more pins so that they stay upright when attached to your box spring.

Wrap-Around Bed Fabric

A wrap-around bed fabric is another easy substitute for a full-on traditional skirt. It’s very convenient and is fairly easy to find. You can even opt to DIY your own with a fitted sheet. But if you aren’t that crafty, you can opt to order one online or buy one from a Home Depot store.

They come quite cheap, and they can also be quite easy to make, so you won’t be going through so much hassle in trying to acquire them. You can change them along with your bedsheet at the drop of a hat.

There isn’t any need for you to lift the mattress to get it attached, either. The only catch to wraparounds is that they can shift and slide off. The elastic that they come with may also stretch out over time.

You must be mindful of your box spring’s size and that they aren’t split in the corners, which might also eventually tear out. Read more about bed sheet sizes here.

Velcro Base Draperies

Velcro bed skirts are nifty and brilliant alternatives to traditional bed skirts. You can get them in place without ever lifting the mattress, so that in itself is already a huge plus. You can also opt to get them in anti-shift fabrics, or if you’re a bit of a seamstress, you can opt to make one yourself.

You’ll be able to save in the process while at the same time, making something that exactly matches your bed size, style preference, fabric type, and so on. You can make them in the same fabric that your bedsheets come in for a more cohesive bedroom design.

They can come in all sorts of materials, from muslin to ruffles, to lace, to tassels, and so on. You can easily attach Velcro to any existing bed skirt as well. It can also be replaced any time you need it.

The downside is that the Velcro adhesive can show signs of wear and tear over time. You also need to make sure that you install the Velcro material carefully. This isn’t necessarily hard but it does require that you pay extra attention to it in the process.

Box Spring Wrap

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This is a really fun alternative to a traditional bed skirt, but it’s something that is unfortunately limited to the holidays. The idea is that your box spring can look like a wrapped-up gift. It can be pretty cool. It’s like sleeping on an actual gift box.

Although limited, this also makes your holidays at home extra special. It might require a little bit of work, but the end result is unique and truly satisfying.

Once it’s up, it requires little to no maintenance, and the best is that you can buy it online. You can even pick out different designs and colors.

The catch, though, is that it can be trickier to install compared to the Velcro bed skirts. It doesn’t provide under-bed coverage, but that shouldn’t be too much of an issue, considering its use is purely seasonal.

Under Bed Storage Drawers

Bed storage drawers are a great alternative for bed skirts because not only are they aesthetic and serve the purpose of hiding the under-bed space quite well, but they also offer the added benefit of extra storage space.

They make good use of the vacant spaces under the bed, which means you can easily get dozens of additional cubic feet of storage, allowing you to make good use of every single inch of your bedroom space while at it.

You also get to save time in cleaning because it means you don’t have to worry about cleaning underneath too much as the drawers keep them safe from dust and sanitary. Under-bed storage drawers can also look lavish and give your bedroom décor a bit of a high-end look. 

Bed Ceiling Canopy

A bed canopy is usually an extra piece of fabric that you drape over the frames of a four-post bed. It makes sense to use this as an alternative to a skirt. The only thing is that instead of draping it on an actual canopy support, you drape it over the actual box spring instead. It’s easy and convenient.

Ceiling canopies can be purchased online or in physical local stores, and they come in all sorts of fabric materials, colors, and designs. There are so many looks and textures to choose from for canopy materials.

They are meant to be decorative and aesthetic, so your bedroom design will have an overall elevated and upgraded look at the end of the day.

DIY Bed Skirt

If you’re a bit of a DIYer, a DIY bed skirt is definitely something interesting and exciting to take on. It just requires some amount of sewing, but other than that, you can go a long way. It is best that you start off with a fabric that will really be able to take in a lot of daily wear and tear – and, of course, something that’s easily washable.

You can make bedding skirts out of old sheets, old duvet covers, or even old types of curtains. Linens and other blankets can work just fine as well. However, if you want to work with new fabric, you can also opt to buy one by the yard.

Go with a fabric that speaks to you as well as to the design that you have for the room. Also, make sure that you go with a sewing style that’s quite suitable for the fabrics you’re working with. When it comes to DIY skirts, your restrictions are only dictated by your sewing skills, your budget, and, of course, your imagination. Take your time with the measurements as much as possible. 

Rug Material

Most types of rugs can work as a bed skirt alternative if you happen to have a box spring that is placed directly on the floor. All you need to do is to put your box spring atop any rug of your choice and then use the same rug material on the sides of your box spring.

Staple these side materials to the side of your box spring using a handy staple gun. It’s best if you cut a slit in the corners of your rug to make it easier for you to staple it on the sides of the box spring.

Soft Fabric Material 

You can actually attach any soft fabric material or padded material of your choice to the side of your box spring. Pick out a color that will match the rest of your bedroom’s décor. Your staple gun can come in handy with this task. Attach the fabric directly to the box.

If you want a padded material, some lightweight batting can give you the added effect of extra texture. It’s easy and convenient enough to do, and the end result is something that makes your bedroom set look extra luxurious and expensive without the punishing price tag. 

Wood Skirt Frame

A wood skirt frame is basically a false frame wrapped around your bed. Your box spring may be level to the ground or come with metal brackets that serve as mini legs. Either way, you’ll want a wood skirt frame that reaches up all the way to the top part of your box spring.

This is a really cheap alternative as opposed to buying a solid wood frame for your bed. They look exactly the same without the punishing cost of entirely new furniture. Even better, you can even opt to add a nice headboard and matching footboard to jazz up your bedroom design even more.

Paint The Bed Frame

Of course, if you want to take care of the unattractive box spring or bed frame appearance, you can easily paint over it. It’s practical and easy, and more than that, if you’re artistic enough, it can even turn out to be an additional design element for your bedroom space. You can keep it simple with solid colors, play around with patterns, or go the extra mile and use stencils.

Whatever you can think up or imagine, you can easily bring it to life for as long as you have the brushes and the paint colors. A word of advice, though, this doesn’t necessarily take care of the negative space underneath. Still, it makes for a much more attractive looking box spring altogether.

Peel And Stick Wallpaper

This is a really cheap and easy no-sew alternative to the traditional bed skirt. All you need to do is pick out a wallpaper material of your choice, measure it out so that it fits just right with your bedframe or box spring frame, and make sure that the surface area is clean and dust-free so that the adhesive sticks with no issues, and then peel it off and pat it on.

A peel and stick wallpaper has come a long way, and these days, it isn’t just a typical wallpaper anymore. They can mimic literally any surface area and any material you can possibly think of, from linens, to wood, to painted materials and even to textured walls, bricks, natural stone, and so on.

They’re cheap, and they’re easy to use. The best part is that it shouldn’t take you more than an hour or two to get everything set up.

Use A Platform Bed

With a platform bed, there isn’t a need for a bed skirt anymore since it has its foundation and it’s already fairly close to the ground. This means that there isn’t any need for a box spring to support the mattress in the first place.

This eliminates the need for an actual skirt. You can go at any height you like. Platform beds look natural and minimalist, and they can be pretty adaptable to your budget as there are those that come with a low-range, mid-range, and high-range price tag.

They’re very stable, and they provide great support for your mattress. Some would even say that platform beds are highly recommended for people who have back pain.

What Is A Bed-Skirt?

A bed skirt is a complementary piece of fabric that complements the design and style of the comforter or quilt that you’re pairing up with your bed. Getting a skirt that matches creates a more cohesive bedroom style and design. 

It’s usually right in between the box spring and the mattress, and it usually goes all the way down to almost floor length. A bedding skirt isn’t essential, but if you want a more seamless-look and a more attractive covering for your box spring, then it will come in handy.

It is also, at times, nicknamed or referred to as a dust ruffle, valance, or fringe. There is no significant distinction between these. Not only is it designed to cover a box spring bed, but it also helps you hide any items stowed right under the bed as well. 

The reason for the name dust ruffle is because it also creates a barrier between the outside floor and the floor right underneath, preventing dust and other forms of debris from accumulating on the floor.

Why Do You Need A Skirt Around the Bed?

For the most part, although its main purpose is decorative, a bed skirt is also more hygienic. Since it hangs down far enough to almost touch the floor, it prevents the accumulation of most dust particles.

Dust buildup can oftentimes lead to dust mites and other gnarly byproducts. This isn’t the end-all-be-all in keeping your bed clean, but it sure is a pretty good place to start.

Putting a bed skirt in is also practical. In the case of having cold drafts or draft areas underneath, a skirt can right that wrong almost immediately. Drafts can make your mattress undersides cooler, which means that eventually, you might end up sleeping in an uncomfortable cold. A skirt can help out immensely when it comes to that.

And of course, they can make your bed look great. They’re awesome when it comes to covering up unattractive box springs and bed frames that have legs that tend to look a little awkward and not design-friendly. They may also hide storage areas, bins or boxes underneath and help keep them out of sight.

Why Do You Need A Bed Skirt Alternative?

As great as bed skirts are, they do come with certain inconveniences. For starters, it tends to constantly shift and slide off, especially when not installed in the proper way. This can be a real inconvenience, especially if you just got home after a long and tiring day from work and don’t have time for laborious domestic chores.

They also come in varying lengths, and finding the perfect one that will fit your specific bed height can be a task. You need to know how to measure your bed accurately to find the perfect skirt that will fit your particular frame.

Some bed skirt models are designed in a way wherein you will have to lift or remove the mattress first before you can install it. This can turn out to be a real hassle, especially if you have a large and heavy king-sized mattress.

What Is The Average Length Of A Bed Base Skirt?

The length of an average bed skirt (usually refers to the “drop” or the fabric’s distance from the top to the bottom of the box spring) can be anywhere within the 14 inches to 18 inches range.

However, some can go all the way up to 80 inches. This all depends on the bed height. The width can vary greatly depending on the size of the mattress you have.

Here are the typical sizes per mattress size (in inches)

Twin sized: 39 width X 75 length X 15 drop (height) 

Queen sized: 60 width X 80 length X 15 drop

King sized: 78 width X 80 length X 15 drop

Although there are standardized bed sizes and corresponding skirts that match them, it is still important for you to make sure that you measure out the proper size to get the one that will best fit.

Even the smallest variations from the standard sizes could affect the appearance and usability of your bed skirt at the end of the day.  With the use of a tape measure, make sure that you measure the width of the mattress (horizontally or from side to side).

Then, measure out its length (vertical or from top to bottom). Then, measure out the drop. This is the distance from the top of the box spring to the floor level. Typically, it ranges from 14 to 18 inches, but it’s always best to be sure. 

Should Your Bed Drapes Touch The Floor?

In the most general of requirements, yes, they should. The reason why a bed skirt should touch the floor is so that it can effectively serve its purpose of concealing or hiding anything that’s stowed right under the frame, as well as the actual sides of the bed.

Its main role is to make your bed design more cohesive with the rest of the bedroom while, at the same time, concealing any possible flaws or imperfections. You can’t really effectively do that when there happens to be a gap between the bed and the floor.

As a matter of fact, the really traditional way of getting frames covered is for the fabric covering to be bunched up around the floor area, so some of them are actually pooled around on the floor. This means that the drop is taller than the actual box spring’s height.

See more related content in our article about platform bed vs. box spring on this page.