You have to learn as you go in adulthood because it can be very difficult. Do you know what a bed sham is, for instance? You’re not alone, so don’t worry. You’ll probably receive a ton of guesses if you ask around. Even worse, you might believe it to be some sort of online mattress fraud. But don’t worry; we have the solution to your burning question regarding bed shams.
A bed sham is just a fancy pillow cover, sometimes also referred to as a “false front,” that serves a decorative purpose.
Read on to find the different types of bed sham, find the best way to style your bed sham.
Table of Contents
What is a Sham
Starting off with a brief history lesson A sham, also called a pillow sham, stems from the term meaning “a thing that is not what it is purported to be.” And even though a sham isn’t intended to trick anyone, it does have a masking quality. With a detachable, decorative case, pillow shams are used to cover ordinary pillows. A sham can be removed or changed out for a regular pillowcase, unlike a throw pillow, which is only used for decorative purposes. Unlike traditional pillowcases, which have a more obvious side opening, they have a concealed opening in the back that is typically zippered or buttoned shut.
The Purpose of a Bed Sham
Bed shams are typically used for decorative or aesthetic purposes, as we already mentioned. When used for their intended purpose, pillows can be useful, but when your head isn’t resting on them, they can also be decorative. Your pillows become more attractive thanks to the addition of a sham, which transforms them from functional items into stylish accents for your living room or bedroom. The frills, patterns, and textures they add to your pillows match the rest of your interior design aesthetic.
Different Types of Bed Shams
Bed shams are available in a variety of sizes to match the size and type of pillows you own, just like pillowcases. If you want to create a different look, you can mix and match the shams that come with a bedding set to fit the different types of pillows that match the bed size.
Standard Bed Sham
- Fits a standard pillow
- Measures 26 inches by 20 inches
Queen Sham
- Fits Queen size pillows
- Measure 30 inches by 20 inches
- Queen size shams might be harder to locate because queen pillows are an intermediate size that is less popular than standard or King size.
King Size Sham
- Fits King size pillows
- Measures 36 inches by 20 inches
European Sham
- Fits square pillows
- Measures 26 inches by 26 inches
- Tend to be more decorative
Boudoir Sham
- Fits smaller, decorative pillows
- Measures 12 inches by 16 inches
- The shams typically accompany boudoir pillows, but you can switch them out for a different look.
Additionally, shams can have a variety of closures, which is how you can fasten them around the intended pillow. While some might have a zipper or button closure for a better fit, the majority have a slit in the back that overlaps the pillow.
The majority of shams use the same material as the duvet or comforter in the bedding ensemble they are part of. They can be made from polyester, silk, velvet, or fabric blends, though most are made of cotton. Shams frequently have lace edging, but the finishing can also be as simple as extending the fabric used for the sham’s face. Tassels, pom-poms, borders, and other design elements might be present on some shams.
Bed Shams Vs. Pillowcases
Although pillowcases and bed shams are both types of pillow covers, they differ in appearance and texture. Regular pillowcases are straightforward and comfortable, but pillow shams are made with pricey materials and decorative accents that serve more of an aesthetic purpose.
| Shams | Pillowcases |
| Decorative cover for your pillow, usually not meant to be slept on | The comfortable cover is meant to be slept on |
| Opens at the middle of their backs and the slit is hidden with an overlapping length of fabric or a zipper closure | Opens at one end, sometimes sporting an envelope closure to prevent pillows from sliding out |
| Made with luxurious fabrics such as silk or cashmere; sometimes made of cotton, linen, or synthetic fibers like polyester | Made with cotton, linen, or polyester |
| Vigorous movement in the washing machine may damage some shams | Can be machine-washed and dried |
| has fabric strips added to make a sham look large and fancy that are typically 2 to 3 inches wide on all four sides. Flanges may be an extension of the material used to make the sham or fancy lace attached to the sham | No flanges |
How to Style Bed Shams
When you make your bed with shams, there are countless design options. Add depth to your room by using pillows of various sizes. Layer the smaller pillows, such as neck rolls and boudoir pillows, in front of the larger ones, which should be placed against the headboard in descending order. There are usually three layers used, but there are no strict guidelines, so use your imagination to arrange the pillows however you like.
Some people stack the bed shams on top of their sleeping pillows and lay them flat on the bed. So, the bed shams can shield your pillows from dust all day long.
How to Make Your Own Bed Sham
A bed sham is simple to make on your own. It only requires a little bit of sewing knowledge, good fabric, and vision. The best fabrics to use are typically those that are on the thicker side and have some body (especially if you intend to use it for the edge as well, as thicker materials will stand up better), but any material should work.
Materials & Supplies You’ll Need:
- Fabric
- For the front, the back, and the flanges, fabric is required. They might be the same or distinct.
- Matching thread
- Pins
- A ruler
- Scissors
Cut the Fabric to Fit Your Pillow
You can use the measurements listed above to determine the typical pillow sizes, or you can measure yourself. Your flanges should be bigger if you want to look more substantial. The design is entirely up to you; alternatively, you could make them tiny or omit them altogether. Cut the back piece in half for the opening once you have all your pieces assembled.
Assemble Your Sham
Take your front-facing pillow panel and position it front side up to get started. After that, atop the front panel, position the back panels front side down. The edges should all be straight. About 8 to 10 inches should be overlapped by the back panels.
Sew, Sew Sew!
Your bed sham should have all of its edges sewn up. When finished, simply open the back of the envelope and flip the sham inside out.
Flanges
Only if you want the surrounding flanges is this step necessary. Just sew a second border into your bed sham, down about two inches. When cutting your fabric, be sure to measure out the additional inches in advance.
Insert Your Pillow
The bed sham is now prepared; simply place it on your bed and relax!
FAQs
What is the Difference Between a Sham and a Pillowcase?
Pillowcases are more practical than shams, which are used more for decoration. By shielding your pillow from dust, dirt, and indoor allergens, the pillowcase keeps it clean. Like a pillowcase, a sham serves primarily as decoration while also protecting your pillow. It might not be as comfortable to sleep on because the fabrics used to make it aren’t as breathable as those used to make pillowcases.
Do You Need Pillow Shams?
A pillow sham is required if you want to use your standard-size sleeping pillow as a decorative item. A pillowcase will do if you don’t care too much about the appearance of your bed. Because they feature sequins, buttons, or lace, some pillow shams might not be soft enough to rest your head on. Sham-covered pillows are typically taken off the bed before sleep and put back there in the morning.
Do Shams Go in Front Or Back of the Sleeping Pillows?
Depending on your preferences, this. Shams can be positioned in front for decoration, up against the headboard to act as a backdrop for your pillows while you sleep.
Are King Pillows Too Big for a Queen Bed?
A queen bed will work well with a single king-size pillow, but it will be challenging to arrange two of these pillows side by side. There won’t be any space between them as they will overlap. Given that a king pillow is 36 inches long, a bed must be 78 inches wide to accommodate two king pillows side by side. A queen bed is only 60 inches wide.
How Many Pillows Should Be on a Bed?
This depends on how big the bed is and how many pillows there are. Typically, a queen size bed can accommodate two pillows, two shams, and two to three accent pillows that are smaller. In a king or California king, the number of pillows may be increased, but it’s preferable to keep the number of pillows between 10 and 12 to reduce clutter.
Final Thoughts
By transforming ordinary pillows into attention-grabbing accents, bed shams are an excellent way to add personality to your bedroom or living room. They might not be as useful as a typical pillowcase, but they add a decorative element that helps unify the design of your room. Keeping in mind that fashion serves a purpose in making your house feel like a home with a look that reflects your personality
Thank you for reading.
Read about What Is A Pillow Sham?