How to Put on a Bed Skirt
A bed skirt creates a streamlined look from mattress to floor, disguising the box spring and hiding any under-bed storage. Once you’ve chosen a bed skirt, follow these easy steps for putting it on the bed—and explore our top tips for how to keep your bed skirt from slipping or bunching.
Where Does a Bed Skirt Go?
A bed skirt tucks between the mattress and box spring, or beneath the mattress on a platform-style bed without a box spring. There are a few ways to put on a bed skirt, depending on what type of bed or bed frame you have and what style of bed skirt you choose.
Putting On a Traditional Bed Skirt
A traditional bed skirt is designed like an oversized flat sheet, with the decorative, visible part sewn to the sides and bottom of a plain length of fabric.
The easiest way to install this type of bed skirt is to:
- Remove the mattress and set it aside.
- Unfold and center the bed skirt on the box spring or bed frame, smoothing out any wrinkles.
- Tack the bed skirt in place using upholstery pins, if necessary.
- Replace the mattress and adjust the skirt so it drapes evenly.
- If you are using a split corner bed skirt on a bed with a footboard, arrange the corner slits around the bedposts and adjust.
You can also install a bed skirt without taking off the mattress: starting at the foot of the bed, slide the top edge of the bed skirt beneath the mattress. Little by little, pull the bed skirt up toward the headboard, switching sides of the mattress as you go to keep it even. After the bed skirt reaches the headboard, adjust the drape all the way around the bed for an even length and consistent pleats, tucks, or ruffles.
