Buying guide for shopping guide for best bed skirts
You may have heard of the bed skirt before. It goes by many names, perhaps most common of which is “dust ruffle.” And, adding a more classy feel to the name, it also goes by “valance.” But whatever you may call it, a bed skirt is a useful bedroom decoration.
Some people choose to adorn their bed with a bed skirt purely for aesthetic reasons. The bed may look more complete or put together with a dangling ruffle. Others add a bed skirt for its original intended purpose: preventing dust from gathering beneath the bed.
No matter what your reason is for buying a bed skirt, it’s important to purchase a quality product. Fabric type, method of attachment, and bed skirt length are three factors in particular that you definitely don’t want to overlook. Read on for a glimpse at our favorite bed skirts as well as our expert tips on what factors you should consider before making this purchase.
Considerations
Fabric type
Most buyers will be attempting to match a bed skirt to their current bedspread color and design. When matching fabrics, remember not only to think about color but also to think about fabric weight and type.
The most common fabric used for bed skirts is polyester, which is a synthetic fabric. Polyester comes in a plethora of colors and is easy to wash and maintain. A regularly used type of polyester, microfiber, makes for a more practical bed skirt. Microfiber fabric is more tightly woven than other polyesters.
It’s possible to purchase a GSM fabric as well. GSM stands for grams per square meter. The higher the number or range, the heavier the fabric. If you want a bed skirt that’s light and airy, look for a lower GSM range of 100 to 130.
Hybrid fabrics make the most unique bed skirts. Manufacturers use different plant-based materials like bamboo to add texture or color to their dust ruffles. If you have allergies, be sure to check the composition of the hybrid fabric, in case you are allergic to one of the plant materials.
Method of attachment
There are two basic ways to attach a bed skirt to a mattress. Either the bed skirt will have Velcro that can be attached to the bottom edge of the mattress, or it will be a full-bed skirt that requires you to lift the entire mattress up in order to fit it.
Velcro is a feature on lower-end bed skirts. It would be beneficial if you change the bedspread often, like at an inn or in a guest room. It’s a good choice for use in a child’s room, too, due to its practical nature. The bed skirt could be temporarily removed to store toys or boxes beneath the child’s bed and then reattached when finished.
A full-bed skirt is one that is placed in between the bottom mattress and the box spring. This style is more secure and is recommended for long-term usage. Once the bed skirt is in place, it won’t fall off or drag down on the floor. These bed skirts require more effort in the beginning but less effort in the long run.
Color and design
While it may seem most appropriate to purchase a bed skirt in plain white or a neutral tone, you can also have fun with the color choice. Use the bed skirt as a pop of color. Look around the bedroom for a possible color the bed skirt can pull from. If there’s a painting with some red tones and your bedspread is gray, for example, choose a red bed skirt to bring the room together.
There are bed skirts with lace trim, ruffles, and pleats. Try to imagine what you want to portray with the bed’s design. If you are going for a classic look, lace edges would be a top choice. If you’re going for a contemporary look, choose a straight bed skirt with no pleats. Some bed skirts have multiple design features, including eyelets, embroidery, ruffles, and lace. Be aware that too much decoration could overwhelm the bed skirt, making it an eyesore rather than a complementary piece.
It may be a good idea to purchase multiple bed skirts — the same product but in different colors. That way, if one color becomes boring or old, you can change it out for a new one.
Length
Most bed skirts will fall in the 14- to 16-inch range. That’s the distance from the bed skirt’s placement to the floor. If you have a custom-made bed frame or an uncommon size bed frame, it’s recommended to measure the distance. Bed skirts are created to just barely brush the floor. If more than one inch of fabric is resting on the floor, the skirt is too long. Similarly, if more than two inches of space is showing, the bed skirt is too short.
Bed skirt prices
The most affordable bed skirts range from $10 to $15. These would most likely be made of polyester or a microfiber blend. High-end bed skirt fabrics cost in the $15 to $25 range. Likewise, bed skirts with more embroidery and detail range from $20 to $30. Another factor to keep in mind is the larger the bed, the more the bed skirt will cost. This is because of the larger amount of material needed.
Tips
There may come a time when you need to iron a bed skirt. Before you make your purchase, determine whether you’d prefer a pleated or straight bed skirt. Pleated bed skirts are more difficult and time-consuming to iron than straight bed skirts.
Know typical bed skirt dimensions so you have a reference when shopping. All drop lengths are between 13 and 15 inches. Twin beds require bed skirts that are 39 inches wide by 75 inches long. Full-size beds require bed skirts that are 54 inches wide by 75 inches long. Queen beds require dimensions of 60 inches wide by 80 inches long, and king-size beds require dimensions 78 inches wide by 80 inches long. If you have a California king mattress, look for a bed skirt that’s 72 inches wide by 84 inches long.
Wash your bed skirt before applying it to the bed. This will remove the wrinkles that may have formed when the product was folded in the package.
Other products we considered
The Elegant Comfort Luxurious Multi-Ruffle Bed Skirt has layers of overlapping ruffles. It’s made of Egyptian-quality microfiber and exudes a classical look. There’s also the VHC Brands Farmhouse Annie Cotton Buffalo Check bed skirt, which would look stellar in a farmhouse or country house. The red checks are reminiscent of a picnic in the summer.
FAQ
Q. Is a bed skirt essential?
A. No, it’s not essential, but it can be beneficial. The original use for a bed skirt was to prevent dust from gathering underneath the bed. Today, it can also be used to hide any boxes or containers that might be stored beneath the bed. But in some instances, the style of the room and bed frame doesn’t lend to using a bed skirt, making it non-essential.
Q. Do bed skirts come with bedding sets?
A. Sometimes. Check the package contents before purchasing the bedding set. It should tell you exactly what’s included. If the set doesn’t come with one and you would like one, shop around a bit. Brands will often have single bed skirts for sale that match their bedding sets.
Q. Can I just use a sheet for a bed skirt?
A. This is not recommended. Most likely the sheet will not be long enough to hang down on each side, and it won’t be made of the right material. There are many affordable bed skirt options to use instead of a sheet.
