Once upon a time, skirted furniture was relegated to a design detail you might see in your grandma’s house. (You know, right next to the vintage floral sofa wrapped in plastic.) Though upholstered pieces were a symbol of wealth back in the Middle Ages—well-to-do dwellers could collect textiles from their adventures, which was a lot easy to transport than hefty wooden furniture—it has since run the risk of appearing old-school and outdated.
Well…until now, that is. Lately, we’ve been seeing skirted furniture everywhere: A fringed trim along the base of a bed frame, slipcovered sofas that masquerade wooden legs, and some people have even been concealing the contents of their open storage with a fabric curtain. Skirted touches are one of the latest design trends, and for Cate Gutter, this comeback taps into our desire for “softness and longing.”
“There’s something romantic and rooted about a good tailored or ruffled skirt,” the North Carolina-based designer explains. “It feels familiar and fresh at the same time.” Meanwhile, other designers say the rise of skirted furniture is a great way to add depth to an interior—not to mention it brings some visual intrigue to a room that has too many exposed legs.
“It’s an easy, low-commitment way to add a little personality,” adds Mary Patton, who runs her eponymous design firm in Houston. “Whether it’s a punch of color, a fun pattern or just a clever way to conceal storage and outdated plumbing.”
Unlike the frilly furniture you might spot in your grandmother’s living room, today’s pieces feel more refined, less ruffled. For Atlanta designer Liz Williams, the key to keeping skirted furniture current lies in what she calls dressmaker details. “Tailored skirts with crisp pleats feel fresh,” she says. “Any details like contrast piping can really elevate the look.”
Gutter agrees and notes certain materials will make skirted furniture feel fresher. “Crisp linens, stripes or even solid velvets with clean pleats or box-style skirts,” she shares. “Those details make all the difference.” While you’re at it, you’ll also want to make sure your skirted finish is hemmed to graze the floor. “Not too short, not pooling on the floor,” Gutter adds. “It should feel intentional and tailored.”
But don’t write off this trend as a frilly, fleeting fad: Designers insist that, with the right know-how, skirted furniture can hold up nicely. For starters, look for pieces that will blend seamlessly with your space. Ultra-upholstered decor might fit nicely in traditional or eclectic homes, but Williams says they can work in more modern rooms, too. “It’s all about balance,” she says. “Pairing skirts with clean-lined, leggy pieces prevents things from feeling too heavy.”
Rooms with too much drapey furniture will read outdated, so you’ll always want to add a few skirt-less pieces to your setup. In fact, Williams says you can strike a healthy mix by adding a skirt to some unexpected items. “Don’t overlook skirted tables,” she shares. “They present a great opportunity to showcase fabric and texture. They can be both practical, with hidden storage underneath, and pretty.” Another thing to switch up: Patterns. Skirted furniture sets of yesteryear were matchy-matchy, but a healthy mix of solids, stripes or florals can give a room a collected edge.
Once your strike that balance between upholstered and leggy pieces, offset your skirted furniture with modern touches. While Gutter says modern lighting or bold artwork are fair play, New York designer Barrett Oswald recommends offsetting frilly finds with some texture. “Accents like a sleek leather piece or a wooden element adds both purpose and contrast, creating a harmonious and thoughtfully curated look,” she says. Skirted, stylish and rife with staying power? Consider us sold.
Kelsey Mulvey is a freelance lifestyle journalist, who covers shopping and deals for Good Housekeeping, Women’s Health, and ELLE Decor, among others. Her hobbies include themed spinning classes, Netflix, and nachos.
