Can You Put A Bedskirt On A Platform Bed? (Find Out Now!)
Some call it a bedskirt, while others refer to it as a dust ruffle. Regardless of what you call it, this piece of drapery bedding serves a variety of purposes, and such is why it’s not uncommon to see these decorations in homes, hotels, apartments, etc.
Of course, all beds aren’t the same, and some are better for bedskirts than others. But can bedskirts be used with platform beds? Such is the main question this article answers.
Yes, you can put a bedskirt on a platform bed. Putting a bedskirt on a platform bed is recommended for a variety of reasons. The bedskirt will strengthen the bed’s visual appeal, and it’ll also serve as an effective barrier, keeping out dust and dirt. And if there’s storage under the bed, you can effectively hide this with a bedskirt.
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What Is a Platform Bed?
While there are many bed styles on the market right now, two classic favorites are platform beds and boxsprings. A platform bed has a built-in foundation, so it doesn’t require a boxspring. Additionally, its base is sturdy, usually being made of a strong material like metal, wood, or reinforced plastic.
Compared to other bed styles—like four-poster beds and canopy-beds—which require either a mattress foundation or boxspring, a platform bed is capable of supporting a mattress on its own. They’re usually six to 18 inches tall, and they can utilize wood, metal, or plastic slats.
Other platform beds utilize a solid base, and again these are often constructed using wood, metal, or plastic. The metals used to construct platform bed slats and bases are wrought iron and steel, and some platform beds can utilize metal wire grids for extra support.
Generally speaking, platform beds go better in modern decors, as they’re sleek and minimalist. This isn’t to say you can’t use a platform bed in a bedroom with contemporary decor—you certainly can!
Can Platform Beds Utilize Bedskirts?
A platform bed can most certainly utilize a bedskirt. In fact, platform beds are ideal for bedskirts, as they’re usually supported by only four legs. With so much space between the legs, it’s no wonder the space underneath a platform bed is often strewn with dust, dirt, and other debris.
But with a bedskirt, this space is covered, so you won’t have to worry about it being a home for dust, dirt, and who knows what else. The part of the bedskirt which covers the bed base is called a platform, while the ruffles which hang down on three sides are referred to as the skirt.
The skirt covers both sides of the bed and the foot of the bed as well. The head of the bed—where the headboard would be—usually doesn’t need a ruffle, as it’s against the wall.
There are bedskirts that don’t have a platform component, but these aren’t as sturdy as the traditional, wide-reaching bedskirts.
How Long Should a Bedskirt Be?
The length of a bedskirt is often called the drop, and a bedskirt is measured from the edge of the platform to the edge of the skirt. Before you go out and purchase a bedskirt, you should make sure that your bed can accommodate one.
Measure the distance from the top of the bed base to the floor. The number you get will determine whether you can use a bedskirt or not. Most bedskirts are 14 to 15 inches long, but you can get a bedskirt that’s 18 to 21 inches long. Obviously these latter bedskirts are ideal for taller beds.
Why Are Bedskirts Useful?
While bedskirts aren’t required, purchasing a bedskirt is a good move for a few key reasons. These reasons are detailed in the sections below.
Adding Visual Appeal
The bedskirt adds an element of sophistication to your bed, and the elegant look that’s created when a bedskirt is utilized is one that’s been preferred for centuries. If you only relied on comforters, quilts, and duvets, the lower part of the bed would be bare, and such a configuration looks top-heavy, unbalanced, and unappealing. By covering the lower section of the bed space, you ensure the bed looks uniform and elegant.
Protecting the Space Underneath the Bed
Bedskirts are not only visually attractive. They’re effective barriers too, preventing little specs of dust from accumulating under the bed. If dust was left to accumulate unchecked, eventually this area would be strewn with dust bunnies.
Usually, functionality comes at the cost of sacrificing visual appeal, but such is not the case with bedskirts. They combine the best of both worlds, as they’re highly functional yet beautiful.
Hiding Storage
Especially if you’re in an apartment, utilizing space under the bed is a must. And if you have a platform bed, you’ll have plenty of storage space underneath for boxes, bins, shoes, etc. Of course, you won’t want these things to be on display 24/7, and such is where a bedskirt can be invaluable. With a bedskirt present, storage will be concealed, and completely if the bedskirt goes all the way down to the floor.
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How to Place a Bedskirt
To properly place a bedskirt on a platform bed, follow the step-by-step guide below.
Step One: Iron out the bedskirt so there are no wrinkles.
Step Two: Once it’s wrinkle-free, remove the mattress and spread the bedskirt over the bed base. Spread the bedskirt like you’d spread a tablecloth over a dining room table.
Step Three: Once the bedskirt platform has been aligned, gently place the mattress on top of it. Don’t just drop it down, as doing so will mess up the alignment.
Note: Remember that the two side should have ruffles as well as the foot of the bed.
Note: You could use two platform bedskirts at once, and some individuals like to do this because contrast—when done right—is appealing to the eyes. But keep in mind that adding two bedskirts will make the bed thicker. Not by a lot, of course, but it’s still something to keep in mind, as many individuals don’t like thick beds.
Matt loves everything DIY. He has been learning and practicing different trades since he was a kid, and he's often the first one called when a friend or family member needs a helping hand at home. Matt loves to work with wood and stone, and landscaping is by far his most favorite pastime.
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