I have many things to thank my late grandma for; my aversion to bed skirts isn’t one of them. My memories of her spare bedroom are mostly fond – the cross-stitch tapestry, the powder jar on the vanity and the world’s snuggest eiderdown quilt. No repellent relics or unsettling antiques have seared my brain, but the visceral memory of her bed skirt is one that’s haunted me into adulthood.
Like many women of her generation, my grandmother kept her ruffled peach valances on her beds long after they’d fallen out of fashion. Consequently, I’ve always considered them fuddy-duddy and old-fashioned – a frilly detail that exists in the same chamber of my brain as chintz prints, lace curtains and, for reasons unknown, the sickly-sweet smell of mothballs. It was never the sort of decor I, a Gen Z, would have considered for my own home.
But in 2026, bed skirts – also known as valances – are back in vogue. It’s a divisive design detail, with that same staid 1980s bedroom décor ingrained in many people’s minds, but this once-unfashionable feature is in favour once again, and today’s interpretations bear little resemblance to their predecessors. From tailored linen to bold prints and contemporary ruffles, they’re a far cry from my grandmother’s, offering a great way to introduce more character and personality to a bedroom.
Why are bed skirts so popular again?
A look back at recent interior design trends makes it easy to understand why bed skirts are making a comeback. Much of the valance’s revival can be traced back to “cottagecore” and “Grandmillennial” aesthetics, both of which celebrate a cosy, nostalgic style that romanticises slower, countryside living. They are looks that my grandma’s home embodied long before such neologisms had entered anyone’s lexicon.
And after years of pared-back minimalism, it makes sense that today’s bedrooms are softer and more layered. Decorative details that were once dismissed as old-fashioned are being reappraised, with comfort and character taking precedence over harsh simplicity. “The stark, ultra-minimalist bedrooms of the past decade are making way for spaces that feel more inviting, romantic and characterful,” explains Isy Jackson, interior designer and founder of Chelt Interiors. “A valance, for example, instantly softens the hard lines of a bed frame and adds a layer of gentle romance.”
While not such a driving force, there’s a practical benefit to bed skirts too. In bygone days, they were used to block draughts, keeping the underside of the bed warm and toasty. While central heating has largely rendered that selling point obsolete, bed skirts still earn their keep by hiding those wretched dust bunnies that somehow congregate beneath every bed. Better still, they offer an elegant way to disguise the less glamorous realities of modern life. “Bed skirts provide a stylish way to conceal the likes of under-bed storage bins, for example, transforming a utilitarian necessity into a seamless part of the design scheme,” says Jackson.
How to style bed skirts in a modern way
While I wouldn’t choose the ruffled valance I remember from childhood, I’ve found myself bookmarking modern interpretations. Tailored linens, crisp pleats and playful patterns have transformed the simple bed skirt into something that feels fresh rather than fussy. Crisp white bedding is timeless, but nondescript. Add a gingham bed skirt or a breezy blue linen valance, and you have a bed that feels like a true extension of your personality, adding colour, texture and character to your sleep sanctuary.
Sarah Brown, an interior designer, says that a valance can completely transform a bedroom despite being a simple (and largely inexpensive) addition. “It softens the lines of the bed, introduces another layer of fabric, and makes the room feel more considered and luxurious,” she says. “It also gives us another opportunity to bring another fabric into a scheme, which is never a bad thing.”
The trick, however, is to style with intention. The modern bed skirt isn’t about hiding the bed; it’s about dressing it. “We almost always choose a fabric that talks to the headboard or curtain fabric, picking out a key colour from the scheme and using a ticking stripe or a plain, rather than introducing another bold pattern,” notes Brown.
Jackson agrees that material is everything. She advises steering clear of the stiff, shiny polyester that gave bed skirts such an unfortunate reputation in the Eighties. “Instead, opt for natural, breathable fabrics with a beautiful drape, like pure washed linen, relaxed cotton or even a soft linen-blend,” she says. These feel elegant and elevated, rather than antiquated.
While there are plenty of modern ruffled variations, if the memory of your grandmother’s spare room is still proving hard to shake, avoid the frills. Structured, tailored designs will always read as more contemporary. “Box pleats, clean straight drops or split corners offer a sophisticated, hotel-worthy look that feels architectural rather than fussy,” Jackson explains. “If you do opt for a more traditional ruffled skirt, balance it with modern, clean-lined furniture or crisp, minimalist bedding to keep the overall look relaxed and updated.”
This will also allow the texture to do the talking. While pattern drenching can be a bold, characterful choice for a bedroom – and there are striking printed bed skirts such as Mille Notti, Maison Flaneur and Alice Palmer & Co – it can be difficult to decorate with florals in a non-frumpy way. Instead, stick to solid, neutral colours if you’re worried about dating your space with something overly saccharine. Jackson suggests opting for high-quality linen or cotton in warm clay, olive or soft grey tones, letting the texture – not the pattern – bring depth and interest to the scheme.
I’m still not sure I’ll ever be persuaded by the peach ruffles that adorned my room at my grandmother’s. But today’s bed skirts aren’t trying to recreate the bedrooms of the 1980s. They’re softer, more tailored and far more considered. They’ve become one of those rare decorating details that manage to feel both nostalgic and contemporary, which makes them perfect for creating a more comforting bedroom.