Pillow Shams

How to Choose Luxury Pillow Shams

Luxury shams bring style to your bed and tie together the colors and textures of your bedding. Designed with appearance in mind, they often feature details such as flanges, embroidery, quilting, or textured fabric.

A sham takes its cue from the rest of your bedding. Matching shams create a coordinated style, while contrasting colors or textures add depth. Shams in a fabric similar to your duvet cover or coverlet create a polished look while leaving room to mix colors and textures.

Pillow Sham vs. Pillowcase: What’s the Difference?

Pillow shams and pillowcases can appear similar, yet each has its own purpose. Pillowcases are designed for sleeping, with a simple opening at one end. Shams are designed for display, often opening at the back, with design details that give the bed a finished look.

Some shams, especially those made from sheeting fabric, can still be comfortable to sleep on. In most cases, however, they’re used to dress pillows during the day and removed or repositioned at bedtime. Our guide to pillow shams and how they differ from pillowcases provides more detail about their construction and use.

What Size Pillow Sham Do You Need?

Sham size affects both the fit and the overall look of the bed. Standard shams measure about 20 by 26 inches and work well on Twin, Full, and Queen beds. King shams are longer, at about 20 by 36 inches, and are designed for King and California King beds. Euro shams are square, typically measuring 26 by 26 inches, and are often placed at the back of a layered pillow arrangement.

Euro shams can add height and structure, while Standard or King shams create a wider middle layer in front. Sleeping pillows or smaller decorative pillows complete the arrangement, depending on how full you want the bed to look.