While many people tend to consider a dust ruffle and a bed skirt to be the same type of bedding accessory, that is not the case. While both the bed skirt and dust ruffle serve the purpose of providing coverage of the space between the end of the comforter or bedspread and the floor, they are actually constructed differently and are positioned on the bed using different means. Here is what you need to know in order to tell the difference between a dust ruffle and a bed skirt.

The dust ruffle is a pleated or gathered piece that is normally just long enough to fill in the space between the top of the box springs and the floor. The ruffle is actually a circular construction that is configured to fit around and snugly hug the box springs. Many dust ruffles are equipped with a stretchable band around the top of the device. The ruffle is slipped around the sides of the box springs, allowing the band to keep the ruffle in place. Slits at each corner make it possible to position the ruffle around bedposts without bunching the material.

In recent years, the dust ruffle has also been manufactured to use Velcro for installation, rather than rely on the stretchable band. The Velcro is placed at strategic points along the top of the ruffle. Companion Velcro sections are positioned along the sides of the box springs. When joined the Velcro sections adhere the ruffle to the springs securely, but also make it easy to remove the ruffle for cleaning.

By contrast, a bed skirt does not involve the use of a stretchable band to stay in place. A bed skirt is constructed as a solid fabric body and a sewn ruffled or pleated outer section on three sides of the body. In order to use a bed skirt, it is necessary to insert the body between the mattress and the box springs. The outer section is positioned to hang down the two long sides and the foot of the bed. Unlike the dust ruffle, the bed skirt does not provide coverage to the floor at the head of the bed.

In most bedroom settings, a dust ruffle and bed skirt provide the same look when the bed is fully made. The color or pattern of the skirt or ruffle should compliment the color scheme of the bedding and should be constructed of a linen material that is similar to the sheeting or the comforter. Doing so will help to provide a unified look to the bedding and allow the dust ruffle or bed skirt to enhance the overall appearance of the bed.