A bed skirt, also called a dust ruffle, is a length of fabric that sits between the mattress and box spring and drapes down to the floor, concealing the box spring and bed frame and giving the bed a finished, tailored look. It also helps keep dust from collecting under the bed and can hide anything stored there.
What a bed skirt does
A bed skirt serves both a decorative and a practical purpose. Visually, it covers the often unattractive box spring and metal frame, creating a clean, polished line from the top of the bed to the floor. Practically, it shields the under-bed area from dust and keeps stored items out of sight. Because it pulls the whole look of the bed together, it is a small detail that makes a noticeable difference in a well-dressed bedroom.
Decking and drop
A bed skirt has two main parts. The deck is the flat panel that lies across the top of the box spring, hidden beneath the mattress, and anchors the skirt in place. The drop is the visible fabric that falls from the edge of the box spring to the floor. Drop length is measured from the top of the box spring down, and choosing the right drop ensures the skirt just grazes the floor without pooling or hanging short.
Gathered versus tailored styles
Bed skirts generally come in two styles. A gathered skirt has soft, ruffled fabric along the drop, giving a relaxed, romantic feel. A tailored skirt hangs straight and crisp, often with corner pleats, for a more structured, formal look. Some designs use split corners so the skirt drapes neatly around footboards and bedposts.
Caring for a bed skirt
Launder a bed skirt with a gentle, phosphate-free cleanser and avoid chlorine bleach to protect the fabric and any pleating or trim. Pressing or steaming the drop after washing keeps the lines crisp, particularly on a tailored style. Because it sees less wear than sheeting, a bed skirt needs washing far less often than the linens you sleep on.
This guide was prepared by Fig Linens and Home, a specialist in luxury bedding, bath, and table linens.
