When you’re creating your dream bedroom, there are so many great linen bedding options to choose from—from sheets and pillowcases to duvet covers or coverlets. But what about a linen bedskirt or dust ruffle?
They may seem extra, but trust us: bedskirts really add the finishing touch to your bed and set the tone for a sophisticated, well-lived-in space. Here’s everything you need to know about choosing the right dust ruffle for your delectable bedroom retreat.
What is a Bedskirt?
Sometimes known as a dust ruffle, a bedskirt is a decorative layer of fabric that goes between a bed's mattress and box spring and extends to the floor around the sides of your bed. Invented in the early 20th century as a way to hide dust and dirt, bedskirts have evolved over the years and now serve equal duties of beauty and function.
3 Benefits of Choosing a Linen Bedskirt
There are so many reasons to add a dust ruffle to your linen bedding ensemble. Here are our top three benefits for choosing a bedskirt to tie together your bedroom décor:
- They’re decorative
- They’re highly functional
- They’re eco-friendly
1. Linen Bedskirts are Decorative
First and foremost, they’re decorative, brightening up the rest of your bedding. Choose a bedskirt color that coordinates with your other linen bedding to add a sophisticated twist to your bedroom aesthetic.
2. Linen Dust Ruffles are Highly Functional
Bedskirts are also some of the most highly functional items in your décor ensemble. They limit dirt and dust from getting under your bed, conceal your box spring, and perhaps most importantly, hide all those unsightly items (like suitcases, boxes, and cords) you need to store.
3. Bedskirts Made from Linen are Eco-Friendly
Bedskirts are also eco-friendly. Made from flax linen, the fibers are all-natural, reducing plastic and synthetic waste. Linen fibers are also tightly wound together, making them strong and durable—so your linen bedding won’t end up in a landfill anytime soon!
How to Measure for Your Linen Bedskirt
You can easily measure for the perfect dust ruffle by working off the size of the box spring, bed base, or bed frame, as they’re all fairly standard in size.
We recommend ordering the size that is the same as your bedbase’s width and length, and selecting the drop’s height corresponding to the length from the top of your box spring to the floor for a perfect fit. Adding an additional 6” to the bedbase’s height is recommended if you need a gathering to drag on the floor. All of our dust ruffles come with a 10-inch to 24-inch drop length option, so it’s important to remember that custom sizing is always available for our linen bedding.
Our bedskirt sizing dimensions (which we determined by measuring the width, length, and height of the mattress) will help you know exactly where to start:
- USA Twin Single: 38" x 74" / 96.5 x 188cm
- USA Twin XL: 38"x 80" / 92.5 x 203cm
- USA Full/Double: 54" x75" / 137 x 190.5cm
- USA Queen: 60" x 80" / 152 x 203cm
- USA King: 76" x 80" / 193 x 203cm
- USA Cal King: 72"x 84" / 183 x 213cm
Popular Types of Linen Bedskirts
How do you choose which bedskirt is right for your home? No matter your taste in linen décor, we’ve got so many options to help make your bedroom a spa-like retreat—filled with luxurious linen bedding—that certainly feels like a dream come true. You can’t go wrong with any of these styles:
- Split corner
- Side pleated
- Ruffle hem
- Gathered
Split-Corner Linen Bedskirts
Bring a tailored look to your bedroom by choosing a split-corner linen bedskirt to accentuate your bedroom oasis. Minimalistic in design, this dust ruffle offers clean lines for a truly modern approach to comfortable yet stylish living. Plus, if your bed has a footboard, the split corners on this bedskirt make it easy to maneuver around the frame while still allowing you to admire the fabric and design.
Side Pleated Linen Bedskirts
Featuring a simple design, the side pleated linen bedskirt elevates your bedding by providing a knotted tie to the skirt’s pleated corners. This level of detailing brings character and impeccably rustic charm to your dream bedroom.
Ruffle Hem Linen Bedskirts
Create a serene, romantic aesthetic in your bedroom by adding a ruffle hem linen bedskirt. It’s the perfect way to bring a touch of feminine style or a fun pop of color to your sleeping sanctuary.
Gathered Dust Ruffle
Fashioned from folds of flowing fabric, the gathered dust ruffle adds beautiful movement to any linen bedding. This style provides texture and elegance to your bedroom.
What’s the Easiest Way to Put on a Bedskirt?
The first step in making your bed is putting on the linen bedskirt. To tackle this task, you’ll want to remove the mattress and evenly spread the dust ruffle over the box spring. First, ensure that the fabric lines up with the top of the bed. Then, check that the linen bedskirt drapes naturally and drops evenly around the other three sides.
Once the dust ruffle is perfectly aligned, you’ll put your mattress back on the box spring and make your bed using your favorite linen bedding, including sheets, pillowcases, shams, duvets, and coverlets. And just like that, you’ve got the perfect ensemble—starting with the linen bedskirt!
When Don’t I Need a Linen Dust Ruffle?
There’s only one scenario where your perfect bedroom doesn’t need a linen bedskirt to tie your entire ensemble together. A growing bedding trend reflects a minimalistic approach when choosing your bed frame and your linen bedding options.
With the way some beds are built, like if the bed frame is on a platform or an upholstered foundation, you may not need a bedskirt. The main rule to keep in mind is if your dust ruffle interferes with the bed frame—specifically if it is difficult to put on or impossible to see—then you should consider going without.
Tricky bed frames aside, don’t skip out on a quality bedskirt—it’s an important bedroom detail that shouldn’t be overlooked! It may be the bottom layer of your linen bedding ensemble, but it’s more than worth your time to consider a dust ruffle as you decorate your sleeping space.
