What Is a Pillow Sham?

When choosing a pillow sham, focus first on fit for your body and sleep needs rather than marketing claims. Compare materials, support, comfort or firmness, temperature regulation, durability, care requirements, trial or return terms, and total cost. The best option is the one that solves the specific problem you are shopping for while remaining comfortable and practical over time.

Among the dizzying variety of terms related to bedding, you might have encountered the term “pillow sham.” Simply put, a pillow sham is a type of pillow cover used to turn ordinary sleeping pillows into decorative pillows. 

Pillow shams (also occasionally referred to as bed shams) can sometimes be included as part of bedding sets along with bedspreads, duvet covers, bed skirts, and so on. Standard pillowcases, on the other hand, are typically sold as part of sheet sets along with fitted sheets and flat sheets.

Bedding decision checklist

• Decide on primary purpose
  • Choose standard pillowcases if comfort and sleeping surface protection are main priorities.
  • Choose pillow shams if decorative accenting and matching bedspreads or duvet covers are main priorities.
• Choose pillow sham type and size
  • Pick standard sham (20″ x 26″) for standard size sleeping pillows.
  • Pick queen sham (20″ x 30″) for queen size sleeping pillows.
  • Pick king sham (20″ x 36″) for king size sleeping pillows.
  • Pick Euro sham (26″ x 26″) for decorative square pillows.
  • Pick boudoir sham (12″ x 16″) for small decorative rectangular pillows.
• Plan nighttime arrangement
  • Keep pillowcases on primary sleeping pillows.
  • Move pillow shams behind sleeping pillows for extra headboard support or remove them entirely before sleeping.
• Check care requirements
  • Machine wash basic cotton or linen shams with matching bedding.
  • Hand wash shams with delicate embellishments like embroidery or beading.

What is the difference between a pillowcase and a sham?

Despite having a very similar relationship with the pillow, pillowcases and pillow shams are actually two different entities that serve distinct purposes.

​Regular pillowcases​​​ are typically made of the same material as the sheet set they’re part of. Their primary purpose is to protect the pillow and create a comfortable enough surface to sleep on, so the fabrics they’re made with tend to be thin and plain. Pillowcases aren’t meant for decoration, although some fancier ones might feature embroidery or other embellishments along the edges. 

Pillow shams, on the other hand, are essentially decorative pillowcases that are meant to turn normal pillows into additional room flourishes, similar to throw pillows. Unlike regular pillowcases, pillow shams typically open from the back and are bordered by a flange. Shams don’t usually match the sheets but instead are designed to match the bedspread or duvet cover. 

Different pillow sham types and sizes

Like pillowcases, pillow shams come in a variety of types and sizes to accommodate any type of pillow and match any room decor. The types and sizes of pillow shams include the standard sham (26″ x 20″), king sham (36″ x 20″), and Euro sham (26″ x 26″). 

Consult the below table for a breakdown of the most common pillow sham types and sizes:

FAQs

What is the most important thing to consider before buying?

Start with the problem you need the product to solve, then compare support, comfort, materials, durability, care requirements, and return or trial terms. Avoid choosing on a single marketing feature alone.

Where does the sham go on the bed? 

Shams typically stay on your bed together with ordinary pillows. During the day, pillows with shams are usually placed in front of ordinary sleeping pillows for decoration. At night, they’re either placed behind sleeping pillows to provide additional cushioning or removed altogether from the bed. 

What is a sham on a bed?

Shams are decorative covers that turn regular sleeping pillows into accent pillows to add to the room decor or to create a specific look. Unlike ordinary pillowcases, bed shams typically match the bedspread and duvet cover and not the sheets underneath. 

Can you sleep on a pillow sham?

It’s definitely possible to sleep on a pillow sham (after all, inside it you’ll find a regular comfy pillow)—but you may find pillow shams feel less comfortable than normal pillowcases. It’s also much harder to keep shams clean if you use them for sleeping. 

Keep in mind that, unlike normal pillowcases, the fabrics for pillow shams aren’t chosen with comfort and washability in mind. Their primary purpose is decoration. That’s why most people tend to put pillows with shams behind their regular pillows for extra cushion against their headboards. Alternatively, they simply remove them altogether from the bed when it’s time for sleep. 

Can you wash a pillow sham?

You can typically wash your pillow sham the same way you wash your bedspread or duvet cover. If the sham has embellishments like embroidery or beading, or if it’s is made of a particularly delicate fabric, you might want to hand wash it. Otherwise, it is usually OK to just throw it in a washing machine. Always check the manufacturer’s care instructions first. (Check out our guide to washing pillows.)

Give your bed a makeover with these duvet covers and matching shams

This carousel automatically rotates through products. Use the pause button to stop rotation, or use the slide dots to navigate.

Embroidered Sateen Duvet Cover Set Shop Now

Add a luxuriously inviting finish to your bed with our organic cotton duvet cover and matching shams. Silky-soft 300 thread count sateen weave gets softer with every wash.

Organic Sateen Duvet Cover Set Shop Now

Add a luxuriously inviting finish to your bed with our organic cotton duvet cover and matching shams. Silky-soft 300-thread count sateen weave gets softer with every wash.

Organic Percale Duvet Cover Set Shop Now

Instantly give your bed a dose of cozy-casual luxury with our organic cotton duvet cover and matching shams. Its crisp and cool 200 thread count percale weave gets softer with every wash.

Linen Duvet Cover Set Shop Now

Add a luxuriously inviting finish to your bed with our deluxe linen duvet cover and matching shams. Made with responsibly-sourced, all-natural European linen that gets softer with every wash.

Up your bedding game at Saatva

A pillow sham can be thought of like a fancy cousin of a pillowcase. The two are similar yet serve very different purposes. A pillowcase is designed to protect your pillow and provide a comfy surface to sleep on, while a pillow sham’s primary purpose is to add to your room decor. 

One doesn’t replace the other, and while pillow shams are definitely not an essential piece of bedding like sheets or pillowcases, they can greatly contribute to the decor of your bedroom and help create that special sleeping environment designed just for you. 

At Saatva, we offer a variety of duvet cover sets that come with pillow shams. These bedding sets are made with high-quality fabrics including cotton and linen and are super-soft, comfortable, and stylish. 

Check out ourembroidered sateen duvet,sateen duvet cover set,percale duvet cover set andlinen duvet cover set to find a duvet cover and pillow shams that are perfect for you and your bedroom.