A neat finish below the mattress

Bed Valances

A bed valance covers the visible base of a bed and can conceal the view beneath it. Choose the correct platform size and drop before the colour: a valance that is too long catches the floor, while a short one leaves the base exposed.

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KINGDOM Box Pleated Valance - King Single

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Measure the drop from the right point

Measure from the surface where the valance will sit down to the floor, then allow the clearance you prefer. For a platform-style valance that sits under the mattress, this is different from measuring from the mattress top. Include castors or legs in the base height.

Compare pleated and gathered finishes

A box-pleated finish creates straight folds and a more tailored line. A gathered design, when available, creates a softer skirt. Think about bed-end posts and corners: split corners may be needed where a continuous skirt would bunch around a footboard or leg.

Plan access below the bed

A long skirt can conceal storage but should lift easily for drawers, vacuuming or castor access. Wash and refit it according to its fabric instructions. An under-mattress platform may require lifting the mattress, so consider how often you want to change the colour or wash the valance.

A simple drop calculation

If the valance platform sits 40 cm above the floor and you want 2 cm of clearance, a drop of about 38 cm is the starting point. Measure at several points if the floor is uneven, and account for any fabric shrinkage guidance supplied with the valance.

Useful answers

Bed Valances: your questions

Measure from where the valance sits, rather than from the top of the bed.

How do I choose the drop for a bed valance?

Measure from the surface that supports the valance down to the floor, then subtract the clearance you want. For an under-mattress platform, do not start at the mattress top. For example, a 40 cm base height with 2 cm of floor clearance suggests a 38 cm drop before any product-specific allowance.

Can I use a valance on a bed with storage drawers?

It can work if the skirt lifts clear of the drawer fronts and does not catch in their runners. Check the drawer opening as well as the closed appearance. If the valance sits under the mattress, consider whether it will remain aligned when you lift the skirt repeatedly for daily access.

Will a box-pleated valance fit around a footboard?

The corner construction matters. Posts or bed-end rails may need split corners so the fabric can hang around them rather than bunching. Box pleats describe the folded finish; they do not by themselves confirm how the corners open. Compare the valance’s platform dimensions and corner layout with your bed frame.