What Is a Pillow Sham? A Guide to Stylish Bedding

Have you ever admired a beautifully made bed in a magazine or a luxury hotel and wondered how they achieve that perfectly polished look? The secret often lies in a simple yet elegant detail: the pillow sham.

So, what exactly is a pillow sham? Think of it less as an everyday pillowcase and more as a decorative cover that turns a standard pillow into a stylish statement piece. It is like a smart jacket for your pillow, designed specifically to bring a coordinated and sophisticated finish to your bed.

Your Quick Guide to Understanding Pillow Shams

The easiest way to get your head around a pillow sham is to see how it differs from its cousin, the pillowcase. While a pillowcase is all about providing a soft, hygienic surface to sleep on, a sham is purely focused on visual appeal. It is that final touch that makes a bed look plush, inviting, and impeccably styled.

Because they are made for show, pillow shams often have more intricate designs, richer textures, and higher quality fabrics than the pillowcases we sleep on. Their entire purpose is to bring colour, pattern, and a sense of completeness to your bedding arrangement.

More Than Just a Pretty Cover

A pillow sham is a decorative covering, used to elevate your bedroom décor rather than for sleeping comfort. Unlike a simple pillowcase, which is designed for skin contact, shams often feature elaborate details like flanges, which are fabric borders, embroidery, or quilted patterns.

They are not just for looks, though. Pillow shams serve several practical styling purposes:

• Creating a Coordinated Look: Shams are frequently designed to perfectly match or complement a duvet cover or quilt, tying the whole bed together seamlessly.
• Adding Layers and Depth: Layering pillows with shams, particularly the larger square Euro shams, is a classic interior design trick for building height and dimension at the head of the bed.
• Hiding Your Sleep Pillows: During the day, they provide an elegant way to conceal the pillows you actually sleep on, keeping everything looking neat and tidy.

For a quick summary, here is how the two stack up against each other.

Pillow Sham vs Pillowcase at a Glance

Ultimately, bringing shams into your bedding is a simple but incredibly effective way to lift your bedroom's style. By exploring the world of luxurious bed linens, you can find the perfect textures and designs to express your personal taste and create a truly inviting sanctuary.

Pillow Sham vs Pillowcase: Key Differences Explained

At first glance, a pillow sham and a pillowcase might seem interchangeable, as they both cover a pillow. But they actually serve two very different purposes. The easiest way to think about it is that a pillowcase is functional, while a sham is decorative. The real differences, though, lie in how they are made, the materials used, and the overall effect they have on your bed.

A pillowcase is designed purely for a comfortable night's sleep. It is a workhorse. You will notice they almost always have a simple, open ended design, which makes whipping them off for a wash incredibly easy. Their main job is to create a soft, breathable layer between your face and the pillow itself, which is why they are typically made from skin friendly fabrics like smooth cotton.

A pillow sham, on the other hand, is all about style. Instead of a basic opening, it features a more elegant closure on the back, usually an overlapping flap often called an envelope closure or sometimes buttons. This little detail means the pillow is completely encased, giving it a much cleaner, more finished look that is perfect for showing off.

A Focus on Fabric and Finish

Because you do not actually sleep on them, or at least you are not meant to, shams can be crafted from a much broader, more luxurious range of materials. Think tactile fabrics like plush velvet, intricately woven jacquard, or even relaxed, rustic linen. These materials are chosen specifically to add texture and visual interest, tying the whole bed together with a matching duvet cover or quilt.

A pillow sham is the final, artful touch to a beautifully made bed. It is a simple addition that can instantly make your bedroom feel more deliberate and polished, much like adding a smart cushion to a sofa.

To help you see the differences at a glance, this chart breaks down the core purpose and construction of each.

As you can see, every detail, from the choice of fabric to the type of closure, is designed with a very specific role in mind. Once you understand these distinctions, you can choose the right pillow covering for the right job, ensuring your bed is not only a dream to sleep in but also beautifully styled during the day.

Common Pillow Sham Types and Sizes

Getting the right pillow sham can completely change the look and feel of your bedroom, and thankfully, it is a lot simpler than you might think. Shams come in a handful of standard shapes and sizes, each one playing a specific role in creating that beautifully layered, inviting bed we all dream of.

To mix and match like a professional, it really helps to get your head around the common sizes available here in the UK and across Europe.

Standard and Decorative Sizes

Some shams are made to fit the pillows you actually sleep on, while others are purely for adding that extra decorative flourish. Knowing which is which is the secret to styling your bed perfectly.

Here are the main players you will come across:

• Standard Sham: This is your everyday hero, measuring about 50cm x 75cm. It is designed to snugly fit a standard sleeping pillow, making it a brilliant, no fuss starting point for any bedding set.
• King Sham: A bit longer to suit larger beds, the king sham is typically 50cm x 90cm. It is the perfect partner for a king sized pillow, ensuring you do not have any awkward gaps on a wider mattress. For more on this, have a look at our guide to king size bedsheet sizes in cm.
• Euro Sham: You will recognise this one, as it is the large, square sham often propped right up against the headboard. Usually measuring 65cm x 65cm, a Euro sham is fantastic for adding height and creating a plush, hotel style foundation for your other pillows.
• Boudoir Sham: This is a smaller, rectangular decorative cushion cover, often around 30cm x 40cm. Think of it as the final, perfect touch, placed right at the front of your pillow arrangement to add a pop of colour or a different texture.

Right, let's get to the fun part: actually styling your bed with pillow shams. This is where you can really elevate your bedroom from just a place to sleep into a properly styled sanctuary. A few well placed shams are the secret ingredient to getting that plush, inviting look you see in boutique hotels.

The trick is all about layering. Think of it like creating a piece of art, where you are building up textures and sizes to create depth and visual interest. Do not be shy about playing around, because shams are a fantastic, low commitment way to completely refresh the look of your room.

A Few Simple Recipes for a Perfectly Dressed Bed

You do not need a degree in interior design to pull this off. Creating a bed that looks like it is straight out of a design magazine is surprisingly straightforward once you know a few classic arrangements.

Here are some popular, foolproof methods to get you started:

• The Classic Stack: This is clean, simple, and always looks smart. Lay your regular sleeping pillows flat against the mattress, then stand your matching shams upright directly in front of them. It creates a neat, structured foundation.
• The Layered Look: For a more luxurious and textured feel, start with two large Euro shams right up against the headboard. In front of those, layer your standard shams. To finish it off, add a smaller decorative cushion, like a boudoir or lumbar pillow, at the very front for a final pop of colour.
• The Minimalist Approach: If you lean towards a more understated style, simply stand two shams upright against your headboard. This creates an elegant and uncluttered look that works beautifully in modern or Scandinavian inspired bedrooms.

Whichever setup you go for, there is one last little professional touch that makes all the difference.

Once your shams are in position, give each one a light "karate chop" right in the centre. This creates that soft, inviting indent you always see in showrooms, making the pillow look perfectly plump and lived in. It is a tiny detail that has a huge impact.

Making It Your Own

Ultimately, the best part about styling with shams is that there are no hard and fast rules. Your bed is your canvas. Feel free to mix and match colours, patterns, and materials to reflect your own personal style. You could pair crisp, white cotton shams with a rich velvet cushion for a touch of opulence, or mix floral patterns with a simple stripe.

Remember, a well styled bed really sets the tone for the entire room. It is the first thing you see when you wake up and the last thing you see before you drift off, so why not make it a space you absolutely love?

Choosing and Caring for Your Pillow Shams

The material you choose for your pillow shams makes all the difference to the final look and feel of your bedroom. A simple fabric swap can transform your bed from classic and calm to glamorous and bold, so it is worth thinking about the atmosphere you want to create.

For instance, crisp cotton offers that timeless, hotel like neatness that always feels fresh and inviting. If you are aiming for a more luxurious or romantic style, soft velvet adds a touch of opulence and depth. Meanwhile, relaxed linen is perfect for creating a rustic, comfortable, and effortlessly chic vibe.

The beauty of a pillow sham is how it brings texture into your design. Choosing a material that contrasts with your duvet cover, such as a chunky knit sham against smooth sateen, can add wonderful visual interest.

Keeping Your Shams Looking Their Best

Once you have found the perfect shams, proper care is key to keeping them looking beautiful for years to come. Because shams often feature decorative details, they sometimes need a little more attention than a standard pillowcase.

The first step is always to check the care label. This is your best guide, especially for shams with delicate embroidery, flanges, or special trims. Many cotton or linen shams can be machine washed on a gentle cycle, but more delicate materials like silk or velvet may require professional dry cleaning.

A few simple tips will help protect your investment:

• Wash with Care: Turn shams inside out before popping them in the wash. This helps protect any surface embellishments from snagging.
• Gentle Drying: Whenever possible, air dry your shams by laying them flat. If you must use a machine, choose a low heat setting to prevent any shrinkage.
• Proper Storage: Store them flat in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to stop the colours from fading over time.

For more guidance on fabrics, our guide to the best bed sheets material offers extra insights that apply equally well to shams.

Your Pillow Sham Questions, Answered

By now, you have probably got a solid grasp of what pillow shams are and how they can elevate your bedroom’s style. Even so, a few practical questions tend to pop up once you start using them. Let's tackle those common queries so you can decorate with confidence.

We have gathered some of the most frequently asked questions to give you quick, straightforward answers.

Can You Sleep on a Pillow Sham?

While you technically could, it is really not the best idea. Pillow shams are designed first and foremost for decoration, meaning their fabrics often are not as soft or breathable as a proper pillowcase.

Plus, things like elaborate embroidery, stiff flanges, or buttons can be pretty uncomfortable to lie on all night. For a truly restful sleep, it is best to slip the shams off your bed and stick with pillows in their dedicated soft cases. Let the shams make your bed look stunning during the day, and let your pillowcases handle the comfort at night.

Do Pillow Shams Have to Match the Duvet Cover?

Absolutely not. While a perfectly matching set creates a very polished and cohesive look, mixing and matching is a brilliant way to inject your own personality into the space. Think of it as putting together an outfit for your bed.

You could choose shams in a complementary colour to add a bit of depth, or go for a contrasting pattern to make a bold statement. Playing with different textures is another great trick, for example pairing a smooth cotton duvet with a rich, velvet sham. The goal is to create a look that feels balanced and just right for you.

What Kind of Pillow Do I Put Inside a Sham?

You do not need anything special, because a regular sleeping pillow that matches the sham's size will do the job perfectly. For instance, a standard pillow fits neatly inside a standard sham.

For that really full, professionally styled look, opt for a pillow insert that is firm and plump. This will fill out the corners of the sham properly and help it stand up straight against the headboard, avoiding that dreaded limp or saggy appearance.

Ready to create the comfortable, stylish bedroom you have always wanted? Explore the beautiful and cosy bedding collections at Morgan and Reid and find the perfect pieces to complete your sanctuary. Discover our range here: https://www.morganandreid.com