A pillow sham is a decorative pillow cover with a finished front and an opening on the back. Unlike a pillowcase, which is open at one end and made for sleeping, a sham is made to be seen. It usually has a flange, piping, or a tailored edge, and it closes in the back with an overlapping envelope flap or a hidden zipper so the pillow inside never shows.
That's the short answer. Below is how shams differ from pillowcases and pillow covers, the sizes they come in, which insert goes inside, and how designers use them to make a bed look finished.
Pillow sham vs. pillowcase: what's the difference?
They both cover a pillow, but they do different jobs. A pillowcase is for sleeping. A sham is for show.
| Pillow sham | Pillowcase | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Decorative | Sleeping |
| Opening | On the back (envelope flap or zipper) | Open at one end |
| Edges | Flange, piping, or tailored knife edge | Plain hem |
| Fabric | Linen, velvet, matelassé, quilted or textured weaves | Smooth cotton, percale, sateen, or silk |
| Sold with | Duvet covers, quilts, and coverlets | Sheet sets |
| Where it sits | Propped upright against the headboard | Flat, where you sleep |
The quick test: if the opening is on the side and the fabric matches your sheets, it's a pillowcase. If the front is one clean panel and the opening is hidden on the back, it's a sham.
Pillow sham vs. pillow cover
This is where most of the confusion lives, because the two are nearly the same thing. Both are decorative, both close out of sight, and both go over a separate insert.
- Sham is the bedding word. It usually means a cover in a bed pillow size (standard, queen, king, or euro) that coordinates with a duvet or quilt.
- Pillow cover is the home décor word. It means a decorative cover for a throw pillow, in square and lumbar sizes, used on sofas, chairs, and beds.
A 26 x 26 euro sham and a 26 x 26 pillow cover are the same item with two names. Our designer pillow covers close with a hidden zipper, which keeps the back as clean as the front and makes them easy to swap by season.
Why is it called a sham?
"Sham" is an old word for something false or put on for appearance. In the 1700s, a pillow sham was a decorative panel laid over the plain sleeping pillows during the day to dress the bed, then taken off at night. It was a false front. The name stuck even after shams became full covers that wrap the whole pillow.
Pillow sham sizes
Shams follow bed pillow sizes, plus the square euro.
| Sham | Size | Best for | How many |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 20 x 26 | Twin, full, and queen beds | 1 on a twin, 2 on a full or queen |
| Queen | 20 x 30 | Queen beds | 2 |
| King | 20 x 36 | King and California king beds | 2 |
| Euro | 26 x 26 | Back row on any bed | 2 on a queen, 3 on a king |
Euro shams are the big squares that stand against the headboard and make a bed look layered. We cover them in detail, including 24 x 24 and 28 x 28 options, in our euro pillow size guide.
What goes inside a pillow sham?
A sham is only as good as what fills it. A flat, tired pillow inside a beautiful cover still looks flat and tired.
For square covers and euro shams, size the insert up two inches. A 26 x 26 cover gets a 28 x 28 insert. A 24 x 24 cover gets a 26 x 26. The extra fill pushes into the corners so the pillow stands up on its own and keeps that full, designer look.
Our down alternative pillow inserts are our best seller for a reason. They have the soft, sinkable feel of down, they're hypoallergenic, and they hold their shape when you lean against them. See every size in the pillow insert collection.
How to style pillow shams on a bed
Think in rows, tallest at the back, and let each row step down so a little of every pillow shows.
- Euro shams at the headboard. Two on a queen, three on a king. Keep these calm: a solid, a velvet, or a quiet texture.
- Standard or king shams next. These usually match the duvet or quilt.
- Sleeping pillows. Stack them flat underneath the shams or tuck them behind, depending on how tailored you like the bed.
- Decorative pillow covers in front. Two 20 x 20 or 22 x 22 squares. This is where pattern and color belong.
- One lumbar to finish. A 14 x 36 or 12 x 48 centered in front pulls the whole arrangement together.
For exact counts by mattress size, see our guides to layering pillows on a king bed and what size pillows for a queen bed.
Do you sleep on a pillow sham?
You can, but most people don't. Sham fabrics are chosen for how they look, so they tend to be more textured than a pillowcase, and flanges and zippers aren't comfortable against your face. The usual routine is to set the shams aside at night and sleep on the pillows in pillowcases.
Euro shams and pillow covers we reach for
These are covers from our own collection, sewn in the USA, in stock and ready to ship. Each comes in 26 x 26 for the back row and in smaller squares for the front.
- Olive Green Velvet: a deep moss solid that adds richness to a white or cream duvet.
- Luca Noir: hand block-printed linen in black on natural. Reads as texture from across the room.
- Tye Basalt: a soft charcoal geometric on linen that grounds light bedding.
- Georgia: a fine rust windowpane check on cream. Traditional without being fussy.
Shop every euro option in the 26x26 euro pillow cover collection or the slightly smaller 24x24 collection. If you'd rather have it chosen for you, our bed pillow sets include euros, squares, and a lumbar that are made to layer. Add your inserts and the bed is done.
Pillow sham FAQ
What is the point of a pillow sham? To dress the bed. Shams hide everyday sleeping pillows behind a finished, decorative front and tie the pillows to the duvet, quilt, or coverlet.
Is a pillow sham the same as a pillowcase? No. A pillowcase is open at one end and made for sleeping. A sham closes in the back, has a decorative front, and is made for display.
Is a pillow sham the same as a pillow cover? Nearly. Sham is the bedding term for covers in bed pillow sizes. Pillow cover is the décor term for throw pillow sizes. A 26 x 26 euro sham and a 26 x 26 pillow cover are the same thing.
What size is a standard pillow sham? 20 x 26 inches. Queen shams are 20 x 30, king shams are 20 x 36, and euro shams are 26 x 26.
What size insert goes in a euro sham? Size up two inches. A 26 x 26 euro sham looks best with a 28 x 28 insert.
Can you wash pillow shams? Most cotton and linen shams can be washed cold on a gentle cycle and laid flat or hung to dry. Velvet, silk, wool, and embellished fabrics usually need spot cleaning or dry cleaning. Always check the care label first.
