How to Use a Bed Skirt with an Adjustable Bed?

It’s a common misconception that bed skirts and adjustable beds don’t work. However, many people don’t realize you can actually have a bed skirt and an adjustable bed. It all depends on what kind of bed skirt you’re using.

It’s true you can’t put a traditional bed skirt on an adjustable base for reasons we’ll discuss below. But traditional bed skirts aren’t the only players in the game anymore. Let’s take a look.

How to Put a Bed Skirt on an Adjustable Bed?

Putting a bed skirt on your adjustable bed is not as straightforward as putting one on a regular bed. Regular beds remain flat, so putting any tup of bed skirt on a regular bed is usually no problem. Adjustable beds are a different story.

Since adjustable beds move up and down, not every bed skirt will fit them. Bed skirts that fit on or under the mattress will have to move with the mechanism when it leaves the flat position.

That’s bad news because it can lead to bed skirts getting stuck in the moving parts of the bed. This means you’ll want to get a skirt that fits below the mobile portion of the adjustable base.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to ensure your adjustable bed remains functional while maintaining a polished look.

1. Choose the Right Bed Skirt for Adjustable Beds

• Opt for a Wrap-Around Bed Skirt: These are designed with elastic bands that snugly fit around the stationary part of the adjustable base, ensuring they stay in place even as the bed moves.
• Velcro Bed Skirts: These attach directly to the frame using velcro strips, offering a secure and easy-to-remove option for cleaning and maintenance.
• Match Aesthetics: Consider selecting a bed skirt color and fabric that complements your bedding for a cohesive look. Durable materials like cotton or linen are ideal for long-term use.

2. Prepare the Bed Frame

Lower the adjustable bed to its flat position. This ensures easier access to the frame and minimizes the risk of tangling or misalignment during installation.

Clear the area around the bed, including any under-bed storage, for an unhindered application process.

3. Start at the Footboard or a Corner

Begin by attaching or placing the bed skirt at one corner of the footboard or the end of the bed, depending on the bed frame design. This serves as an anchor point to evenly apply the skirt.

4. Secure and Adjust

• For Wrap-Around Skirts: Stretch the elastic band over the stationary portion of the bed frame, adjusting as you go to ensure a snug fit.
• For Velcro Skirts: Align the velcro strips along the edge of the frame and press them firmly in place. Some designs may come with pre-measured adhesive strips, making the process even simpler.

5. Work Your Way Around the Bed

Gradually move along the edges of the bed frame, smoothing the fabric as you go. Check for any uneven sections or bunching and make adjustments to create a seamless appearance.

For larger beds, like a king or California king, enlisting a partner can make the process quicker and more efficient.

6. Test the Bed Movement

Once the bed skirt is in place, test the adjustable bed by moving it through its various positions. This helps ensure the skirt does not interfere with the bed’s mechanisms.

Make minor adjustments if necessary to maintain both function and aesthetics.

SEE ALSO: Best Purple Mattress Alternatives

Bonus Tips on Bed Skirts for Adjustable Beds

• Double-Sided Tape for Extra Security: For lightweight skirts, adding strips of double-sided tape can help keep the skirt in place during bed adjustments.
• Detachable Options: Consider detachable skirts with hooks or loops for quick removal and washing, particularly if your bed skirt collects a lot of dust.
• Tailored Designs: Some brands offer customizable bed skirts with precise cuts for specific adjustable bed models. This may be a worthwhile investment for a perfect fit.

Purpose of a Bed Skirt

Bed skirts (also called dust ruffles) can make beautiful decorations. They can complement your bedding and sheets. They can hide an ugly or aging bed frame. They can even add a pop of color or texture to your bedding or give an upholstered bed frame that extra dash of class.

Bed skirts might look pretty, but they do have a practical function. First and foremost, bed skirts are made to keep dust from clumping up under the bed frame. The skirt goes all the way to the floor, and the ruffles help push dust away. This can be a huge help when you’re cleaning because it can save you the trouble of trying to stuff a vacuum underneath the bed.

Bed skirts are also great for covering up under-bed storage. If you’ve got boxes or bins under the bed, a bed skirt can hide them so that you don’t have to look at them all the time, making your room feel cleaner and less cluttered.

Why Get An Adjustable Bed?

It goes without saying that adjustable beds are an upgrade over regular beds, from traditional frames to even the best platform beds. But you may not know just how much of an upgrade these beds can be. They can add hours to your nightly sleep and improve your quality of life.

For instance, adjustable beds can offer support and pressure relief tailored to your body. That can relieve everything from back pain to joint pain and even pain caused by heartburn. Sleeping with your head elevated allows gravity to keep your stomach acid firmly in place. You may also see other benefits when you start sleeping on an adjustable base.

For example, a big plus of these bases is they improve your circulation. Keeping your legs and head elevated above the heart lets gravity push your blood back to your heart. These customizable configurations often translate into reduced inflammation and even improved edema symptoms.

One of the best benefits of adjustable beds is they improve sleep apnea symptoms. When you have sleep apnea, the muscles in your throat relax during sleep and allow the soft tissues to fall down into the trachea, partially or fully blocking the airways.

Pairing a base with a softer mattress for side sleeping—the recommended position to relieve sleep apnea symptoms—can make mornings far more pleasant.

Why? Adjustable beds can help support the head at the right angle to prevent snoring and airway blockage. Keeping the head elevated allows gravity to pull downward on your soft tissues, keeping them firmly in place to help alleviate blockage that causes obstructive sleep apnea.

Older individuals can also benefit from an adjustable bed for seniors with its pain-relieving features. It’s also possible for them to easily sit up in the morning with an adjustable base, helpful for anyone with limited mobility from arthritis and other chronic pain conditions.

Even if you’re not an older sleeper, an adjustable bed can be the key to relieving pain conditions. Adjustable beds for back pain can have massagers that melt away aches and tension, while the zero-gravity position can put less pressure on the back.

Of course, some people hesitate at buying an adjustable frame because many of them have clunky metal designs. However, there are ways to create a more “classical frame” look, such as attaching a headboard to an adjustable bed for a simple upgrade.

Some adjustable beds even slip inside traditional bed frames, like our recommendations below.

SEE ALSO: Best Murphy Bed Mattress

If you want an amazing sleep experience on an even more amazing adjustable base, check out the Amerisleep Adjustable Bed+. This sleek and stylish offering boasts every upgrade you could ever want in an adjustable bed, including a multi-setting massage, adjustable height, and a convenient mobile app. That makes it the perfect find for those wanting the best.

This luxury adjustable base doesn’t just have ultra-deep head and foot articulation. It also comes loaded with extras and perks. Possibly the best feature of the Adjustable Bed+ is the rolling wave massage feature.

The full-body massage feature offers three intensity settings to soothe you from head to toe and help you relax and prepare for sleep. This can be a huge help to those who have problems calming down their nervous systems to fall asleep.

Aside from the massage feature, the Adjustable Bed+ also features tons of technology and convenience-oriented upgrades. The USB chargers can help you keep your devices close by without worrying about an outlet.

The mobile app and wireless connectivity perfectly complement the wireless remote. These features mean you can control the bed with all your devices, from your phone to Alexa and Google Home.

This adjustable base also provides practical features such as customizable height, letting you work with any mattress thickness. All you have to do is use the incremental legs to adjust your bed’s profile to 6,9, and even 12 inches. And the Adjustable Bed+ has under-bed lighting to boot. That means you can see in the dark no matter the time of night.

The Adjustable Bed+ boasts a wall-glide design as well. This means the mattress slides backward as it rises up to keep you conveniently located near the headboard for easy night table access.

Best of all, you get all the benefits of an adjustable bed and all these convenient features delivered right to your door and set up for you for free! And you can sleep easy knowing you’re covered under a 10-year warranty. All in all, this is the perfect purchase for those who want it all in their adjustable frames.

SEE ALSO: Amerisleep Mattress Review

If you don’t care as much about luxury and want an adjustable bed that’s a little more affordable, you can consider the Adjustable Bed Frame by Zoma. This adjustable bed offers many of the amazing features of the Amerisleep Adjustable Bed+ and can save you money to boot. This is also a fantastic adjustable bed for athletes, as it’s designed for the Zoma Sports Mattress.

The Zoma Adjustable Bed Frame offers tons of convenient and relaxing features. One of the best is its multi-intensity massage feature. The dual massagers in the head and foot of the bed were designed to help active people loosen up and cool down after a day on the go.

The Adjustable Bed Frame also provides lots of features for the tech-savvy. It’s got USB ports to charge all your devices. It’s got wireless connectivity to allow for Google Home or Alexa voice commands. It’s got under-bed lighting. It’s even got a programmable wireless remote for convenient one-touch settings.

The Zoma Adjustable Bed can fit your unique style as well. It fits in most standard bed frames. So you don’t have to give up your existing bed frame. You can have any look you want with this adjustable base.

This adjustable base also has an ultra-quiet motor. This makes it a great choice for couples who want to be able to adjust their beds without worrying about disturbing their partners.

The Zoma Adjustable Bed Frame doesn’t just have adjustable positions. It’s also got adjustable height. That means those with mobility issues don’t have to worry about getting a bed with the right profile. They can just set it up with the right profile.

All these fantastic features mean the Zoma Adjustable Bed Frame is an excellent find for anyone looking for a little luxury for a great price.

SEE ALSO: Zoma Mattress Review

What Exactly Is a Bed Skirt?

A bed skirt, also known as a dust ruffle, is a decorative fabric that drapes between the mattress and the box spring or bed frame, extending to the floor. Its primary purposes are to conceal the area beneath the bed, hide box springs or bed frames, and prevent dust accumulation. However, when it comes to adjustable beds, traditional bed skirts can pose challenges due to the bed’s movement.

Using a standard bed skirt with an adjustable bed can be problematic, as the movement of the bed can cause the skirt to become misaligned or damaged. Fortunately, there are specially designed bed skirts that accommodate the functionality of adjustable beds. 

Wrap-Around Bed Skirts feature an adjustable elastic belt, allowing them to wrap around the bed frame without the need to lift the mattress. This design ensures that the bed skirt stays in place even when the bed is adjusted. For example, the PureFit Wrap Around Ruffled Bed Skirt offers a 14-inch drop and is easy to install.

Some bed skirts are designed with Velcro attachments, enabling them to adhere directly to the sides of the adjustable base. This setup prevents the skirt from interfering with the bed’s movement and allows for easy removal and cleaning. Companies like DoubleUps for Beds offer such designs, providing a practical solution for adjustable beds.

Best Types of Bed Skirts for an Adjustable Bed

Like we said above, some bed skirts can fit on an adjustable base and mattress combo, and some can’t. Let’s take a closer look at your options.

1. Traditional

Traditional bed skirts don’t work with adjustable bases because they’re supposed to go between the mattress and the box springs. Of course, there is no box spring or mattress foundation on an adjustable bed. So a traditional bed skirt would have to go between the mattress and the base itself.

This creates a situation where the ruffle or the flat sheet can get stretched, crumpled, torn, or stuck in the gaps in the adjustable bed when it moves from the flat position into another, such as the zero-gravity position. It’s best to save yourself the trouble and avoid traditional bed skirts in favor of more compatible alternatives.

2. Split Corner

Split corner bed skirts are just traditional bed skirts with slits at the corners to prevent bunching where the rails meet the footboard. Split corner bed skirts have the same problem traditional ones do. They’re supposed to go between the mattress and the base.

So this type of bed skirt can get caught in the gap when the base moves upward. That means you should avoid split corner bed skirts for an adjustable bed frame, same as you would avoid traditional ones.

3. Wrap Around

With the way wrap-around bed skirts fit an adjustable bed, you’d think they were made for one. These bed skirts come in the standard mattress sizes and feature an elastic band that stretches to go over and around the adjustable bed frame.

All you have to do is stretch them and slide them down onto the frame until they fit snugly on the stationary part of the frame. Just watch out because you might have trouble getting this type of skirt onto the bed frame by yourself, especially if you have a queen or king size bed.

4. Detachable

Detachable bed skirts come with hooks and loops or velcro strip stickies that attach to the bed frame. These bed skirts are another great option for adjustable beds because they won’t have to move at all. Like wrap-around bed skirts, detachable bed skirts stay firmly in place on the stationary platform of the adjustable bed.

There are also attachable alternatives that can be sewn or glued onto your adjustable bed frame. You might consider staying away from these bed skirts, though, as they cannot be easily removed to wash.

Bed Skirt Fabrics

The best fabrics for your adjustable bed will be low-maintenance and durable. The good news is there are several textiles that fit this bill.

1. Cotton

Cotton is possibly the best fabric for a bed skirt. Its long and sturdy fibers make it a durable fabric that can be machine-washed any time you want. This results in a fabric that’s almost tailored for a tough job like being a dust ruffle.

Cotton is also highly breathable, making it a great choice for hot sleepers or homes in warmer climates. Additionally, its hypoallergenic properties are ideal for individuals sensitive to allergens or dust mites. 

Available in a variety of weaves and finishes, cotton bed skirts can range from casual to sophisticated, ensuring you’ll find a design that suits your bedroom decor.

SEE ALSO: Organic Cotton vs. Regular Cotton: What’s the Difference?

2. Linen

Linen is another strong and low-maintenance fabric that can make the perfect bed skirt. Linen also can add a sleeker and more streamlined look to your adjustable base because it’s a heavier fiber than cotton. So it won’t ruffle or move as much.

Linen’s natural texture and subtle wrinkles give it a relaxed yet elegant vibe, perfect for minimalist or rustic interiors. It’s also a moisture-wicking fabric, which helps it stay cool and fresh even in humid conditions. While linen is slightly pricier than cotton, its exceptional durability makes it a worthwhile investment for long-term use.

3. Taffeta

Taffeta is a luxurious fabric that adds an elegant and polished touch to any adjustable bed. Known for its silky texture and subtle shine, it’s a popular choice for those who want their bed skirt to make a statement.

This fabric is lightweight yet durable, with tightly woven fibers that resist wear. However, taffeta is more delicate than options like cotton or linen and requires extra care, especially with the movement of an adjustable base.

While taffeta is undeniably chic, it comes with a higher price tag, making it less budget-friendly than other options. If you decide on a taffeta bed skirt, consider using velcro or wrap-around designs to prevent damage during bed adjustments. To further protect your bed skirt, you can add a protective strip or dab fabric glue to secure it in place.

Although it requires thoughtful maintenance, taffeta’s elegance and sophistication make it an excellent choice for creating a stylish bedroom ambiance.

4. Polyester

If you’re looking to purchase a cheaper bed skirt, polyester is a good alternative to natural fibers. This synthetic fabric is not as durable as cotton or linen, but it’s just as low-maintenance and often more affordable. So you can get the look you want and save a few bucks.

Polyester bed skirts are also resistant to wrinkles, making them a convenient choice for low-maintenance households. Available in a wide range of colors and patterns, polyester offers versatility and customization at a fraction of the cost. 

However, it’s less breathable than natural fabrics, so it might not be the best option for those sensitive to heat or humidity.

5. Silk

Silk is a luxurious fabric known for its soft, smooth texture and rich appearance. It offers an elegant, refined look that elevates the bedroom decor. However, silk is delicate and may not be the most practical for adjustable beds because it can be prone to wrinkling and may wear faster with frequent adjustments. 

If you love the look of silk, consider using it as a more decorative element in a stationary portion of the bed skirt, or pair it with a more durable lining to protect against wear and tear.

6. Microfiber

Microfiber is a durable, low-maintenance option for adjustable bed skirts. It’s made from tightly woven synthetic fibers, making it resistant to wrinkles and stains. 

Microfiber is also soft to the touch and can mimic the look of more expensive fabrics, making it a great budget-friendly choice. 

Its durability ensures it will hold up well to the movements of an adjustable bed, while its smooth texture complements modern or contemporary bedroom styles.

7. Velvet

Velvet offers a rich, plush feel that adds depth and warmth to a bedroom. Its soft texture and luxurious appearance make it an appealing choice for an elegant bed skirt.

Velvet can hold up well with adjustable beds, as long as it is made from a durable, high-quality material. It is important to note that velvet can be prone to crushing or flattening over time, so it’s essential to ensure proper care.

8. Jacquard

Jacquard fabric features intricate patterns woven directly into the fabric, adding texture and visual interest to your bed skirt. This fabric is typically durable, making it a good choice for adjustable beds. 

Jacquard is available in a variety of designs, from floral to geometric, and it can complement both traditional and modern decor. Its heavy weight ensures it stays in place, even with the movement of an adjustable bed.

9. Organza or Sheer Fabric

Organza and sheer fabrics are lightweight and airy, offering a soft, elegant look for a bed skirt. They can create a sense of ethereal beauty, especially when layered.

However, sheer fabrics may not be the most practical option for adjustable beds, as they can be delicate and may not provide enough coverage or durability.

These fabrics are best used for accent pieces or as part of a layered design, where they add a delicate touch without taking on the full workload of a bed skirt.

Caring for a Bed Skirt

Bed skirts don’t need to be washed as often other bedding like sheets, which should be washed once a week. They may not even need as much washing as comforters and duvets, which can be washed as infrequently as once a season if kept covered.

A bed skirt experiences minimal wear and tear and little to no exposure to skin oils and other debris that falls on bedsheets. So for many owners, there’s no rush to wash it.

However, a bed skirt can get dusty after a while, making it look unappealing at best and potentially increasing the chances of an allergic reaction in some sleepers. So it’s smart to occasionally throw your bed skirt in the wash. For example, you can do so while clearing off all other bedding and cleaning your mattress.

Before you wash your bed skirt, just make sure you review the laundry care symbols and instructions on its label. This can keep you from damaging the immaterial with improper washing.

Choosing the Right Size

Lastly, when you picking out a bed skirt, make sure you pick one that corresponds with your mattress size. For a split king mattress, get a standard king size bed skirt.

Here’s what to keep in mind:

1. Match the Bed Skirt to Your Mattress Size

Standard Sizes: For most mattresses, a bed skirt that matches your mattress size will suffice. For example, a queen-sized bed requires a queen-sized bed skirt.

Split Mattresses: If you have a split king mattress, opt for a standard king-sized bed skirt. This will cover both sides of the adjustable base without leaving gaps.

2. Drop Length Matters

Measure the distance from the top of the base to the floor (known as the drop length) to determine how long your bed skirt should be.

Adjustable bases vary in height, so getting the correct drop length is crucial to avoid the skirt either dragging on the floor or falling short, exposing the frame.

3. Consider Custom Sizes for Unique Beds

If your adjustable bed has non-standard dimensions, like an oversized king or custom frame, consider purchasing a custom-sized bed skirt. Some manufacturers offer tailored options to fit unique bed sizes perfectly.

4. Accommodate the Adjustable Function

Select a bed skirt designed to stay in place during the bed’s movements. Wrap-around or velcro bed skirts are excellent for ensuring the fabric doesn’t bunch up or get caught in the mechanisms.

By carefully measuring and selecting the appropriate size and style, you can enjoy a bed skirt that complements your adjustable bed without compromising functionality or appearance.

FAQs

Can I use a traditional bed skirt with an adjustable bed?

It’s best to avoid a traditional bed skirt with an adjustable base. Bed skirts cannot move with the adjustable base. When the platform moves out of the flat position, a traditional bed skirt will do everything from bunch up to get caught in the mechanism. It might even tear. That means it’s better to use a wrap-around skirt that sticks to the stationary platform of your adjustable bed.

Can I use a flat sheet as a bed skirt with an adjustable bed?

Yes, you can use a flat sheet as a bed skirt for an adjustable bed, but it requires some creativity to ensure it stays in place. You can wrap the flat sheet around the stationary part of the adjustable bed frame and secure it with safety pins, clips, or velcro strips. 

However, this option may not provide the polished look or durability of a bed skirt specifically designed for adjustable beds. For a more tailored solution, consider a wrap-around or velcro-attached bed skirt that is easier to install and stays in place during bed adjustments.

How do you hide the bottom of an adjustable bed frame?

You can hide the bottom of an adjustable bed frame with a bed skirt specifically designed for such beds. Options like wrap-around or velcro bed skirts attach securely to the stationary portion of the base, providing coverage without interfering with the bed’s movement. Alternatively, consider decorative panels or fabric drapes that blend with your bedroom decor. If the bed has under-bed storage, a bed skirt can also conceal those items for a cleaner look.

Does a bed skirt go under or over the mattress?

For traditional beds, a bed skirt typically goes under the mattress, placed on the box spring or foundation. However, for adjustable beds, this approach doesn’t work due to the movement of the base. Instead, bed skirts for adjustable beds are designed to attach to the frame itself, either with elastic (wrap-around designs) or velcro strips, ensuring they stay in place while the bed adjusts.

What should I not do with an adjustable bed?

Avoid Using a Traditional Bed Skirt: Standard bed skirts placed between the mattress and the base can bunch up or get caught in the mechanisms, leading to damage. Use a bed skirt designed for adjustable beds instead.

Don’t Overload the Frame: Avoid exceeding the weight capacity of your adjustable bed to prevent strain on the motor and mechanical parts.

Do Not Force Movement: If the bed encounters resistance during adjustments, stop immediately to avoid damaging the motor or frame.

Skip Improper Cleaning Products: Use manufacturer-recommended cleaning methods and avoid harsh chemicals that might damage the frame or mechanisms.

Avoid Uneven Mattress Placement: Ensure the mattress is centered on the base to prevent tipping or unnecessary strain on the frame.

By following these guidelines, you can maintain the functionality and longevity of your adjustable bed.

How do you put a bed frame around an adjustable base?

Choose a Compatible Frame: Ensure the bed frame is large enough to accommodate the adjustable base and has an open design to allow for movement. Platform frames or frames with detachable slats work best.

Assemble the Frame: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to assemble the bed frame without the central support or slats (if they interfere with the adjustable base).

Position the Adjustable Base: Place the adjustable base inside the frame, ensuring it fits securely without touching the frame’s sides during movement.

Secure the Frame: If the adjustable base shifts during use, use brackets or straps to secure it within the frame, as recommended by the manufacturer.

Do they make a bed skirt for adjustable bed frames?

There are not many bed skirts specifically designed for adjustable bed frames. However, there are plenty of types of bed skirts that work well for adjustable beds.

Wrap-around bed skirts with elastic bands are a great choice, as are bed skirts with velcro strip attachments that stick to the bed frame. Bed skirts with hook and loop closures are another option that will work perfectly for an adjustable bed.

The only attachable bed skirts we would recommend avoiding for adjustable beds are ones that permanently attach with glue or stitching. These bed skirts are not easy to remove if you need to wash them or move your bed.

What is the best bed skirt type for an adjustable bed?

If you’re able to get a partner to help you put the bed skirt on, wrap-around bed skirts are the best option for an adjustable bed. All you have to do is buy the correct size and stretch it over the bed frame. Voila! Your bed skirt is in place.

If you are putting your bed skirt on alone, one with velcro strips or a hook and loop closure might be better. These can be wrapped around the bed skirt or attached to it in pieces. That can make putting the bed skirt on alone a whole lot easier.

Do I need a bed skirt with an adjustable bed?

Bed skirts are not like other bedding, such as mattress protectors or sheets. This type of bedding is not a necessity. Bed skirts can keep your underbed area free of dust. But if cleaning dust out from under your bed is not an issue for you, then you don’t necessarily have to have a bed skirt.

If your bed skirt does not feature velcro or hooks and loops, you might also need to think about the practicality of washing it. You don’t have to wash your bed skirt often. But it can become dull and dingy looking after collecting too much dust. If it’s not easy to detach and throw in the washing machine, sweeping dust out from under the bed might be less of a hassle.

In which sizes can I get bed skirts for my adjustable base?

You can get bed skirts for adjustable bases in any size, including:

• Twin sizes
• Twin XL sizes
• Full sizes
• Queen sizes
• King sizes
• California king sizes

If you have a non-standard bed size (like an oversized king or a California queen), you might have more trouble finding a bed skirt to fit your adjustable bed. But if you have a bed in the standard size run (twin through Cal king), you should have no problem.

Bottom Line

There are tons of bed skirts for adjustable beds on the market nowadays. From wrap-around to velcro to hooks and loops, there are so many options available you’re certain to find the right one for you, completing your bedding setup. Just be sure to avoid the traditional bed skirt, and you’ll be fine!