How do you put a bed skirt on a bed?

A bed skirt is one of those bed textiles that is easily overlooked, but makes a huge difference in terms of interior design. It finishes off the bed's appearance by neatly covering the bed frame, legs, and base, creating a cohesive look characteristic of a hotel style. If you've wondered how to properly place a bed skirt on a bed and how to keep it in place, you'll find the answers in this guide.

What is a bed skirt and what is it used for?

A bed skirt is a textile placed on the bed base or under the mattress topper, with its hem falling to the floor from the edges of the bed. Its primary purpose is to aesthetically and neatly cover the bed frame, legs, and any potential storage space under the bed. Bed skirts are standard in hotel beds, where they create a refined and luxurious overall appearance.

For home use, a bed skirt is especially suitable for beds whose frame or legs are not aesthetically pleasing, or when you want to hide storage boxes or other items underneath. It's also an excellent way to bring a hotel-like atmosphere into a room without major changes. There are several material options, but high-quality cotton and polyester are the most popular choices due to their durability and easy care.

How to properly place a bed skirt on a bed?

A bed skirt is placed between the mattress and the bed base or bed frame, so that the hem falls evenly to the floor on all sides. Placement is done before positioning the mattress, so the mattress must first be lifted aside. The correct installation order ensures that the bed skirt stays in place and looks neat.

Step-by-step: bed skirt installation

1. Lift the mattress topper off the bed frame or bed base.
2. Spread the bed skirt evenly over the bed base or frame so that the hem hangs evenly on all sides.
3. Check that the hem is equally long on all sides and reaches the floor or your desired height.
4. Lower the mattress back onto the bed skirt. The weight of the mattress will keep the bed skirt in place.
5. Finish the corners and sides by pulling the hem straight and smooth.

Finishing the corners is important for a neat result. You can fold the corners in the same way as in hotels, using the so-called envelope fold, where the hem is neatly folded at a 45-degree angle. This small detail makes the biggest difference in the final outcome. However, high-quality bed skirts are fitted sheet style and pre-shaped.

What size bed skirt is suitable for my bed?

The correct size of a bed skirt is determined by the width, length, and height of the bed. The flat part of the bed skirt (the base part) should match the dimensions of the bed frame or mattress base, and the height of the skirt part should correspond to the height of the bed legs from the floor to the bottom edge of the mattress. The most common mistake is choosing a bed skirt that is too short. The height is measured from the point where the surface of the skirt is placed.

How to measure a bed correctly for bed skirt selection?

First, measure the width and length of the bed, which correspond to the mattress dimensions. After that, measure the height of the bed from the floor to the top edge of the mattress, as this determines the required length of the skirt part. The most common heights vary between 25 and 50 centimeters. If the skirt is too long, it will bunch up on the floor, and if it is too short, it will leave the bed frame visible.

At Sisustus1, our selection includes bed skirts for all different bed sizes, and product descriptions clearly state both the dimensions of the flat part and the skirt part. This makes choosing the correct size easy without guesswork. We always custom-make all bed skirts according to the customer's own measurements and fabric choices.

How to keep the bed skirt in place and prevent it from slipping?

A bed skirt stays in place best when properly positioned under the mattress, so that the weight of the mattress firmly presses it against the base. In addition, the correct size is a crucial factor: a well-fitting bed skirt won't slip because it's neither loose nor too tight against the bed's structure.

If the bed skirt still tends to slip, you can use double-sided tape or small pieces of Velcro, which are attached between the flat part of the bed skirt and the bed frame. Some bed skirts come with elastic bands or fastening straps that keep the textile securely in place. This is a particularly convenient feature for active use, such as in hotels where bedding is changed frequently.

The material also affects how well a bed skirt stays in place. Cotton bed skirts tend to stay in place better than slippery synthetic materials, as cotton lightly grips the base. A quality material not only looks better but also functions more practically in daily use.