To add a bed skirt or not add a bed skirt? A bed skirt, otherwise known as a bed valance, is a detail that has often been cast aside as too traditional or 'old-fashioned' — modern bedding tends to lean more minimalist with spreads doing the heavy lifting. However, with theatrical, vintage, and maximalist influences coming back around, a bed valance may be just the detail you need to elevate your bed.
The basic function of a bed valance is practical; it's a way to cover the box spring or bed base and hide any storage you've squeezed under there. I'd argue that's part of why we've ditched them in the past, but there is a very stylish place for them in modern bedroom ideas. Whether you are considering a bed valance for functionality or form, there are a few tricks to elevating them into a style that works for 2026.
