10 Stylish Bed Skirt Alternatives (with Photos)

Also referred to as a valance, a bed skirt is an appealing piece of fabric that runs around the perimeter of your mattress. It appears, predictably, exactly as the name suggests – as if your mattress has a skirt. Bed skirts are often used in the bedroom to display an individual style and aren’t necessarily a new design.

Since minimalism has gained so much popularity in the interior design world, many have chosen to omit the bed skirt entirely to achieve a more streamlined aesthetic. They’ve also started to lose their appeal due to their outdated appearance. However, one of the major benefits of bed skirts is that they hide both the mattress and whatever else you have going on underneath your box spring. So, if you have a box spring or simply want to store things under your bed, you need to find another solution.

Bed skirt alternatives include fitted sheets, oversized flat sheets, box spring covers, wrap around bed skirts, and simply choosing your bed frame carefully or getting creative with storage. Each of these options serve the same purpose as traditional bed skirts, but can give your bedroom a modern, refreshing touch.

There are a number of stylish designs that can give your bedroom the desired sophisticated look without forking over too much money. Let’s take a look.

A bed skirt is simply a decorative piece of fabric that is placed between the mattress and box spring on a bed. Traditionally, it is long enough to touch the floor. Bed skirts may be made out of soft, flowy fabrics like linen, rayon, viscose, and poly-cotton, or tougher fabrics such as duck cloth, woo tweed, or poplin.

The main purpose of a bed skirt is to conceal the items stored underneath the bed or hide the box spring and/or bed frame, resulting in a cleaner, more appealing look. Some of the advantages of a bed skirt is that they can keep dust, bed bugs, and allergens from collecting under your bed.

For this reason, bed skirts are a must-have for those who want to hide stuff under their bed and/or make their bedroom more hypoallergenic. However, due to their slightly outdated appearance, bed skirts have lost their popularity in recent years. This is, along with the fact that they are available in limited designs, is one of the main reasons why people wonder what they can use instead of a bed skirt.

Can you use a sheet as a bed skirt alternative? Yes, you absolutely can! A fitted sheet offers a simple solution for covering up your box spring. However, it’s not going to hide the items you have stored underneath your bed.

With that said, the sleek and streamlined appearance of a fitted sheet can provide a modern style to your bed. This alternative is especially desirable for those looking to transition their master bedroom to have a more minimalistic design.

Using a fitted shit as a bed skirt alternative won’t cost much and will achieve your goal of concealing your box spring. When it comes to choosing the right fitted sheet, it’s important that you pick one that fits snug on the mattress. Or, if you run into some difficulty with the sheet fitting, you may need to tuck or adjust accordingly.

Once you find the appropriate size, your fitted sheets can be coordinated with nearly any color scheme. You can also match them to your curtains to help tie the whole room together.

One of the best ways to avoid needing a bed skirt on your bed is to be selective with your bed frame. If you like the frame that supports your bed, you won’t have a desire to hide it in the first place. Platform beds, sleigh beds, and even intricate metal-framed beds serve as statement pieces and covering them with a bed skirt would diminish their appeal.

Therefore, if you’d rather not use a bed skirt on your bed, finding an alternative begins with choosing your bed frame carefully. If you find the right one, you won’t have to spend any extra money on some other bed skirt alternative.

This alternative to a traditional bed skirt is just as affordable and also widely available. However, unlike bed skirts, the wrap-around variety can be customized to match an individual’s personal design aesthetic. It also allows you to easily hide the bed frame, box spring, and the space under your bed.

Wrap-around bed skirts come in a range of colors and patterns, which makes them a wonderful cost-effective alternative. Whenever you change your bedsheets you can easily change the wrap-around to match. Not to mention, it also offers the convenience of not needing to lift your mattress to fit it. They are installed by simply wrapping them around the mattress and can shift and slide easily.

The disadvantage to this alternative is that wrap-arounds tend to tear over time. Also, make sure that you don’t stretch the elastic too much when installing them, as it can wear down and lose resistance over time.

Although the purpose of a bed skirt is to hide the frame and/or any unsightly clutter underneath the bed, you can display the area under your bed in a unique way. Try using a line of storage crates under the bed to streamline your storage and avoid needing a bed skirt. Both you and your guests know that you’re likely storing things under your bed anyway, so why not show it off by using colorful bins, wire baskets, or natural wooden crates that complement the look of your room.

Alternatively, you can opt for a storage bed. These types of beds are outfitted with drawers for storage underneath the mattress. This option still allows you to store things under your bed, without the need to conceal anything.

Another excellent option that serves as a bed skirt alternative is a Velcro bed skirt. The main advantage of this design is that you won’t ever have to lift your heavy mattress to install this type of bed skirt. Some Velcro bed skirts are also “anti-shift,” meaning you save yourself the hassle of having to frequently readjust it. Like wrap-arounds, you can also match your Velcro bed skirt to the style and size of your bed.

Some varieties also feature lace, ruffles, and tassels to add some visual interest to the lower half of your bed. The chief disadvantage to this alternative is that they are especially vulnerable to wear and tear. Over time, the adhesive that holds the fabric in place will break down.

Arguably, the most cost-effective way to avoid using a bed skirt is to use an extra-large flat sheet. Using an oversized flat sheet on a smaller bed is a very simple alternative to a bed skirt, as all you need to do is purchase a flat sheet that is larger than your mattress. However, if you have a California King bed, this solution may take some more prep work. Flat sheets also tend to require more frequent adjusting and tend to slip more than other options.

By using decorative embroidery, lace, or any other personalization can really enhance a simple flat sheet. This is a great way to put your DIY skills to the test and enhance the sheet to match your particular style and taste. Fortunately, with this option, you don’t have to buy a lot of extra materials. You can easily transform your current flat sheet into a sophisticated and contemporary bed skirt alternative.

A box spring cover, or encasement, is designed to protect your box spring. It can also help to seal out bed bugs and dust mites, while also shielding the surface from stains, spills, and accidents. By limiting the moisture that reaches the box spring, these covers prevent mold and mildew growth.

However, this design can also be used as a bed skirt alternative. The benefit of this option is that it provides a semi-permanent solution of not needing to adjust or replace your bed skirt. It completely covers the box spring and is neatly tucked, require little to no maintenance. Though box spring covers aren’t as cost-effective as a wrap-around or DIY option, they are still a very effective alternative for those who want to avoid using a bed skirt altogether.

If you desire a bit more control over the pattern, color, length, and overall design of your bed skirt, you can try your hand at creating your own. Those who are handy with sewing can very easily stitch together fabric to make the perfect bed skirt.

This alternative allows you to choose any fabric you like to match the design of your bedroom. You can even use old fabrics that you have laying around the house, such as duvet covers, sheets, curtains, or other linens. If you don’t know how to sew or your sewing skills are a little rusty, you can find tons of video tutorials online to get you started.

The major advantage to making your own bed skirt is that you have the flexibility to incorporate any fabric to create a design that you’re truly proud of. Additionally, you have the freedom to include as much or as little trimming as your heart desires. Not to mention, if you repurpose old fabrics, this alternative can be a very affordable option.