What size bed skirt do you need?
A bed skirt completes the look of your bed and conceals the visible bed base. The right size gives it a neat drape: a skirt that is too short leaves the base exposed, while one that is too long may trail on the floor.
This guide explains the three essential bed skirt measurements: width, length and drop. You will also find practical measuring examples and tips for avoiding common sizing mistakes.
What is a bed skirt and what is it used for?
A bed skirt is a decorative textile whose skirt covers the bed base and legs. It complements your sheets and pillowcases. It is neither a fitted sheet nor a duvet cover, and it is not a sleeping surface.
Installation depends on the design. For example, a No Problem Hotel bed skirt sits on the bed below the mattress topper, with the skirt hanging down the sides. The topper and the bedding go above it.
How do you choose the width and length of a bed skirt?
Measure the width and length of the bed or base that the skirt will cover. For a 160 × 200 cm bed, look for the same size designation and confirm the fit in the product’s sizing instructions. Choose the drop separately.
For a double bed made up as one unit, a bed skirt usually spans the full width. If the bed consists of two separate beds, the choice depends on whether you want to cover them together or individually and what the installation instructions allow.
What if your bed is a non-standard size?
For an unusually sized bed, ask about made-to-measure options. No Problem Hotel bed skirts, for example, offer custom sizing. Confirm the measurements with the retailer so that the corners and the drop sit correctly.
How do you measure the correct drop?
Measure vertically from the bed skirt’s installation level to the floor. Subtract the clearance you want above the floor. For example, a distance of 40 cm with 5 cm of floor clearance calls for a 35 cm drop.
Mattress thickness alone does not determine the correct drop. The legs, base and installation level all affect the measurement. The following examples each allow 5 cm of floor clearance; they illustrate the calculation and are not a list of available product sizes.
- Installation level 30 cm above the floor: a 25 cm drop leaves 5 cm of clearance.
- Installation level 35 cm above the floor: a 30 cm drop leaves 5 cm of clearance.
- Installation level 40 cm above the floor: a 35 cm drop leaves 5 cm of clearance.
- Installation level 45 cm above the floor: a 40 cm drop leaves 5 cm of clearance.
A mattress topper, protector or bottom sheet placed above the bed skirt does not change its drop if the skirt’s installation level stays the same. Always measure from the point where the skirt begins.
What sizing mistakes should you avoid?
A common mistake is choosing the drop based on mattress thickness. Checking only the width can also lead to the wrong fit: confirm the length, corner positions and whether the design covers three or four sides.
Also consider the bed’s construction and movement. The No Problem Hotel bed skirt is not suitable for adjustable beds. Always check compatibility, care instructions and sizing for the particular model before ordering.
A carefully fitted bed skirt brings the polished look of a luxury hotel into your home. Sisustus1.fi can help you find the right size or a made-to-measure option. Knowing the width, length and drop makes the choice straightforward.
Measure the drop in several places
Measure from the valance's fitting level to the floor on both sides and at the foot of the bed. If measurements differ, resolve the difference before ordering. Tell the seller about any rug or other surface beneath the hem too.
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