Whether you call it a bed skirt or a dust ruffle, these special bed linens are all about form and function. Bed skirts come in a mind-boggling array of sizes and patterns. They can be tailored, pleated, or ruffled. Some are layered; others have fringe. You can find them with stripes, dots, or chevrons. You could choose a traditional white bed skirt, but you might want to add a spot of any color you wish peaking beneath your duvet. With so many options, how can you choose the right one?
Why use a bed skirt
A bed skirt is the stylish, adult way to hide the underside of a bed. Simply smooth a bed skirt over your box spring and let the excess fabric hang over the sides. Not only will you hide the box spring (along with everything you’ve stored under the bed), but you can also use a bed skirt as another way to layer style, pattern, and color in the bedroom. We know that many Saffron Marigold customers are looking for bed skirt solutions, so we’ve put together this post to make it easy for you to choose one to go with your patterned bedding.
Select a bed skirt style
Bed skirts generally come in two styles: tailored or ruffled (hence the slight difference between a bed skirt and a dust ruffle). The choice between tailored bed skirts or dust ruffles depends entirely on what kind of style you’re trying to create.
Garnet Hill
Linen-Trimmed Box-Pleated Bedskirt
A solid pleated bed skirt not only complements a patterned print, but it also doesn’t distract from your other bed linens. It creates an understated look of quiet elegance.
Garnet Hill
Cotton Hemstitched Adjustable Bedskirt
On the other hand, a ruffled skirt bring a clear sense of vintage style, romance, and femininity to the space.
Choosing the best color for bedskirts
You may want to consider a skirt in a neutral color. With a neutral bed skirt, you’ll be able to switch your bedding and bedroom decor as often as you like. A neutral bed skirt is ideal for those of use who switch our bed linens seasonally. Bonus–neutrals will never compete with your bed cover, which is an important thing to keep in mind while building your Saffron Marigold collection!
Have fun with texture
Now, we never said that neutrals couldn’t be fun! Some of the bed skirts we’ve seen seem custom-made for Saffron Marigold duvet covers and lightweight bedspreads. Check out these beautiful pairings.
For a boho bedroom
A boho bedroom celebrates warmth, texture, and pattern, and this doesn’t end at the bottom of the bed–quite the contrary! Make the bed with a boho bedspread or boho duvet cover, and then finish the look with a neutral patterned skirt or one with classic bohemian touches (like tassels).
Saffron Marigold
Chocolate & Caramel Brown Duvet Cover
An rich chocolate brown duvet cover with caramel stripes makes for warm and cozy boho bedding.
Soft Surroundings
Hadwin Bedskirt
When you’re decorating a boho bedroom, you need to bring in the texture and the fringe. This tassled, bohemian bed skirt is perfect for pairing with Chocolate & Caramel (or any other of our boho style collections).
For a lush, romantic bedroom
A romantic bedroom needs a romantic bed, and since there’s nothing romantic about seeing stored-away sweaters, power cords, or forgotten about socks under the bed, the right skirt is a must. Look for one with generous pleats or gentle ruffles to create a soft, inviting look.
Saffron Marigold
Victorian Lilac Purple Floral Duvet Cover
A lovely lilac color grounds a delicate Victorian flower print in this romantic duvet cover.
Greenland Home Fashions
Voile Bedskirt
Turn up the romance by pairing your floral duvet cover to a soft, billowing skirt for a delightfully dreamy and romantic bedroom.
For a sumptuous white bedroom
A white bedroom is a staple in classic design and premiere hotels around the world. One of the keys to creating the perfect white bedroom is to dress your bed in pure white, from a white duvet cover all the way to a white bed skirt. Add warm wood or metallic accents and you’ll be set!
Saffron Marigold
Royal Mansour Duvet Cover
Our white duvet cover features a gorgeous white-on-white medallion print with a classic striped border. It definitely will breathe some new life into your white bedroom!
Red Barrel Studios
Haraway Pom Pom Fringe Bed Skirt
Bring a sense of joyful whimsy to your white bedroom with pom poms on a bedskirt! A great way to bring texture into a space, these dangling details remind us of our beaded valances.
Bedskirts for cozy, rustic bedrooms
You’ll love retreating to a rustic bedroom when it’s time to down with a good book and a cup of something warm and delicious. A red and black palette calls to mind cozy cabins and lodges. In this style, the theme is relaxtion!
Saffron Marigold
Ruby Kilim Duvet Cover
A red and black kilim print atop a natural ground evokes rustic warmth and coziness. A light color will contrast well with the Ruby Kilim bed sheets and duvet covers and further accentuate its jewel-like quality.
Garnet Hill
Solid Relaxed-Linen Bedskirt in Oatmeal
Khaki bed skirts will provide a neutral backdrop to the dark colors and vibrant print of the Ruby Kilim, allowing the colors of our block print to shine.
A bed skirt for a global, Moroccan bedroom
When designing a Moroccan bedroom, keep texture, pattern, and softness in mind. A bold print on a duvet cover, framed by another layer of tangible pattern, turns the bed into the prime focus of a Moroccan bedroom.
Saffron Marigold
Casablanca Blues Duvet Cover
Vibrant renderings of a classic Moroccan design appear in sky blue, pistachio green, and white against a royal blue ground.
Soft Surroundings
Raw Silk Woven Bedskirt
In true Moroccan style, layer texture and softness with this luxe silk bed skirt.
For a relaxed, coastal bedroom
Consider bed accessories in natural textures to bring about the feeling of relaxed elegance in a coastal bedroom. A blue duvet cover with a sandy skirt sets the tone quite nicely!
Saffron Marigold
Pacific Blue Duvet Cover
Our Pacific Blue print features billowing waves in cream and deep indigo blue, a clear depiction of its seaside inspiration.
Ballard Designs
Fringed Burlap Bedskirt
Play on the idea of soft and gentle waves by pairing Pacific Blue with a skirt that also carries a gentle sense of movement, such as this fringed skirt.
A bed skirt for a colorful, tropical bedroom
Tropical bedroom decor works to create rooms that inspire the memories of vacationing in exotic locales. In this room, look for warm colors, soft fabrics, and elements that nod to lush and abundant natural settings.
Saffron Marigold
Indian Summer Duvet Cover
Golden mango, reds, and pinks sway across soft cotton this luscious reversible duvet cover. Choose a dust ruffle in your favorite color from this print to play up the tropical theme.
Birch Lane
Klein Bed Skirt in Hunter Green
Highlight the stems of the flowers on the Indian Summer and conjure images of palm trees and summer delights with a green bedskirt.
Alternative ideas for bed skirts
Of course, linens expressly labeled “bed skirts” aren’t the only way to bring go about having a bed skirt grace the edges of your bed. In fact, using a coordinating bedspread as a bed skirt makes for a simple, easy way to create a custom look in the bedroom.
For instance, a traditional queen size box spring measures 60 x 80, so a Saffron Marigold queen bedspread at 90 x 90 and will hang 15 inches down each side. (This can be shortened by folding over fabric at center of spread until desired side length.)
Our bedspreads all come with intricate borders that are replete with visual interest. With that in mind, it’s a good idea to look and see how the borders of one print will look alongside the border of another. We’ll show you a few ideas so you can try and envision how different prints will look together. If like the idea of having a patterned bed skirt and love Saffron Marigold’s block printed borders, consider the following pairings:
Orange Blossom & Indian Summer
Both Orange Blossom and Indian Summer are filled with similar warm colors and floral designs. They complement one another without competing. This would make a lovely bed skirt idea for a tropical bedroom design, don’t you think?
Moonlit Taj & Midnight Lotus
Moonlit Taj and Midnight Lotus are both blue botanical prints that display swirling vines and buds. They also take their inspiration from the way the moon’s illumination enhances pockets of beauty. And, of course, they find themselves sharing a rich, bold blue color. Together, these two borders make a sophisticated couple.
Starry Nights & Celestial Embrace
Here’s another pairing inspired by the night sky, but with a vintage bohemian-style twist. Sun, moon, stars, and the magic of the cosmos combine in harmony when you put Starry Nights and Celestial Embrace together!
Final bed skirt tips
As always, measure to make sure you’re getting a bed skirt that’s the right size. There’s no point in buying one that’s too short–you’ll invite your eyes to the large mass of dust bunnies who make their home under your bed! Be sure to measure from the top of your bedframe to the floor to make sure you have the precise drop length.
We’d love to see how you’ve dressed your Saffron Marigold duvet covers and bedspreads with skirts! Share your projects and ideas with us on Facebook or Instagram!