Thanks everyone for all the good ideas! Salena, that would work, but I think it could be a bear in the washing machine, or seem to always be sitting crooked on the bed, and you'd need to make different ones for summer and winter bedding. I'm trying to imagine it. Eunice, I didn't know that hook and loop was sold that way. I learn something every day on the GW. :-) I'm trying to imagine an elasticized one. Dust ruffles are lovely, but whoever thought them up should have thought a little longer about their design. Did you attach the velcro to the outside top edge of the box springs -- or just underneat between the box and the mattress? Has the sticky half stayed in place well? Kathi, what a great solution for a waterbed! I had one of those for many years too. The way mine was built reminded me of a giant cradle for adults. They are like big buckets. When I switched back to a regular bed my dogs fell off a couple of times in the middle of the night until they adjusted. I doubt sincerely I could get a fitted sheet over my box springs, but it's a good thought if I get help. I definitely need to make some adjustment. I just can't wrestle with my mattress any more.

Beautiful bed. We have found that to save space, you can use an alternative down "bed topper" as a comforter. It does not hang over the edge at all. Then you can put a lightweight bedspread over that. I am still shopping for a dust ruffle for our new beds. They come in different lengths, so you should be able to find something. Re the slats, you can replace them with slightly longer ones that would be less likely to fall out. Or as Chris said, replace it with a Hollywood frame. They are not expensive.

If you are "stuck with the bookcase headboard" as you say, then I would not go streamlined with the bottom of the bed. It just won't look right IMHO. Keep the dust 'ruffle' and use a plain flat, box pleated one to avoid fussiness. It sounds like you just hate the dust ruffle and adequate storage in the room also seems to be a problem too, if there is no room for a nightstand and the only bookshelf is in the headboard..........maybe consider a captains bed for your son. It will look sturdy and streamlined and won't be fussy. It will provide more storage. Check CL. If you absolutely want no dust ruffle, and the captains bed is not right for you, try hiding the wheels with coffee cans. You can paint them to match the color of the frame. Use a quilt that is long enough to cover the frame even though it will match the cans. Personally I would not spend a dime, or waste the time, to try to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. Those metal bed frames on wheels are ugly and noisy. Get a new bed that fits your needs and decorating desires. If your are on a strict budget consider the following options......... If you do not need wheels on the bed to move it around for cleaning why not just build a platform bed. You can just get four sturdy pillars or use glass block or just about anything and put a sturdy board over it. Make sure you also provide center supports. Since bookshelves are needed can you just put some on the wall. Get lumber and cut to size and make or buy brackets. Consider checking CraigsList for a new bed. Goodwill in my area has wonderfull items and always has beds, usually the full size ones and twin size. Freecycle may offer a bed frame that you can get just for hauling it away. If you live in a city keep your eyes peeled for great curbside finds. I've seen perfectly good bed frames and headboards set out curbside all the time. I've curbside shopped myself, and often I grab things that I can't use, but hate to see go to a landfill, and I bring them in to Goodwill. You wouldn't believe the nice things that people toss out.

Jonatemp...had he not experienced the life he's experienced, I would betcha he'd have a much simpler kiddo room...and let's be honest, he's still sleeping in our closet LOL so really...he has a cool room...but never uses it. My imagination was sparked some time ago as I sat in another drap and dirty looking hospital room. After three weeks there I went out and purchased everything winne the pooh from a local party store and we covered the entire room's walls with winnie. He was only a year then and we spent another month in that room...and while it was a plastic goofy party hell...it was so nice to see him point out all the things on the walls, and the other kids loved to visit us. It was a great distraction when he was tied to a chair with his feeding tube for hours...not easy on a one year old. From then on I always have hit the party store for decorations for our rooms in hospital. You'll always know it's our room if you see a life size picture of some character on the door LOL So, I said to myself, he's not coming home to bland. Admittedly we got a bit carried away LOL and he'd have been just as happy with Thomas stickers stuck to the walls, but it was kind of for us as well :)