A crib skirt (also called a crib bed skirt or dust ruffle) has a big effect on how finished a nursery looks. It hides the metal mattress support, covers storage bins under the crib and adds color or texture without putting anything in your baby's sleep space.
Here's how to choose the right size, drop length and style, and how to install one in about five minutes.
What is a crib skirt?
A crib skirt has two parts:
- The deck: a flat piece of fabric that lies on top of the mattress support, under the mattress.
- The skirt panels: the decorative fabric that hangs down the sides of the crib toward the floor.
Because the deck sits under the mattress, the skirt stays outside the sleep surface. Your baby only touches the fitted sheet. That matches the AAP's guidance to use a fitted sheet only inside the crib.
Will it fit my crib?
Our crib skirts fit all standard cribs with a 28" x 52" mattress, which covers most full-size cribs sold in the US. They have split corners, so the fabric falls neatly around the crib legs instead of bunching.
Have a mini crib (38" x 24" mattress)? You'll need a mini crib skirt, such as our Nursery Rhyme Toile Mini Crib Gathered Skirt.
How to choose a drop length
The drop is how far the skirt hangs from the mattress support toward the floor. It's the most common question we get.
How to measure:
- Set the mattress support at the height you'll use first. For newborns, that's usually the highest position, following your crib's instructions.
- Measure from the top of the mattress support (where the deck will sit) straight down to the floor.
- Choose a drop close to that number. A little shorter looks tailored. A drop that just grazes the floor looks soft and full.
Plan for lowering the mattress. As your baby starts to sit up and pull up, you'll lower the mattress as your crib's instructions direct. When the support drops, the skirt sits lower too, and a long drop may pool on the floor. Many parents choose a middle drop length that looks good at both heights.
Our drop lengths:
| Drop | Good for | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 16" | Most cribs, with a tailored look that works at multiple heights | Petal Pink Linen Gathered, Flax Linen Gathered, Navy Linen |
| 17" | Our classic length, a little fuller | White Cotton Twill Gathered, Light Blue Gingham Flat Panel, White Scalloped with Satin Trim |
| 18" | Taller cribs or a floor-grazing look | White Cotton Twill Gathered, 18" |
| 19" | Extra length including a ruffle hem | White with Petal Pink Linen Ruffle |
| Custom | Unusual crib heights or your own fabric | Custom Crib Skirt |
Gathered vs. flat panel vs. scalloped
Gathered (ruffled) skirts are soft, full and romantic. Gathered linen in petal pink, flax, sage or willow green is one of our best sellers. Gathered styles work well for girls' nurseries and for anyone who loves a cozy, layered look.
Flat panel (tailored) skirts have clean lines and a neat, straight edge. They show off prints like toile, gingham and buffalo check, and they work in both boy and girl nurseries. Try the Light Blue Gingham, Cashmere Blue Check or White Cotton Flat Panel.
Scalloped and ruffle-trim skirts are the dressiest option. The White Scalloped Crib Skirt with Satin Trim and the Blush Watercolor Floral Skirt with Petal Pink Ruffle are heirloom-style pieces.
Can't decide? The Green Gingham Crib Skirt comes in both gathered and flat panel styles.
Crib skirt ideas for girls and boys
- Baby girl: Petal pink linen gathered, white with a pink ruffle, pink gingham, or blush watercolor floral.
- Baby boy: Light blue gingham, navy linen, cashmere blue check, or Blue-Beary Toile.
- Gender-neutral: White cotton twill, flax linen, sage or willow green linen, or green gingham.
How to install a crib skirt in five minutes
- Remove the mattress from the crib.
- Lay the deck flat on the mattress support, with the skirt panels hanging down on the outside.
- Line up the split corners with the crib's corner posts so the panels fall straight.
- Smooth out wrinkles in the deck so the mattress will sit flat.
- Put the mattress back so it fits tightly in the crib frame with no gaps.
- Add a fitted sheet, and you're done.
Tip: Install the skirt before the rail cover, and do it before baby arrives. It's much easier with an empty crib.
Care tips
Most of our skirts are machine washable in cold water. Linen blends soften with each wash. A quick steam after washing brings back the crisp look of flat panels and the fullness of gathered styles.
Find your crib skirt
Want a complete look? Pair your skirt with a matching crib rail cover, or browse full crib bedding sets.
