by Pillow shams might have a different name, but they function just like your conventional pillow cases as they are your pillow cases but with a fancier front.
Let’s learn more about what pillow shams are and can you use them as your regular pillow cases.
What’s a Pillow Sham?
Confused, what’s a pillow sham? It is interchangeably referred to as just “sham” or even “bed sham”; these are your pillow covers. But the unique thing about these pillow covers is they turn your pillow into a decorative item on your bed.
These shams resemble your pillow covers but have a more decorative front side. They have an opening in the back and don’t have one on their side.
As they have a decorative design, you can use them strictly for decorative purposes. So, a pillow sham is an appealing choice to use as a prop that you can use for relaxing or for doing other activities in your bed like watching TV or reading books.
You can sleep on these pillow shams if you want, but they won’t be the most comfortable for this purpose. Based on the decoration type, these shams can be more difficult to wash than conventional pillow cases.
When to Use a Bed Sham?
Interested in styling your bedroom in the simplest yet most unique way possible? You can use a pillow sham for this purpose. You won’t have to purchase any new pillows and can significantly alter the looks of your bedroom without making much room.
So, during the day, you can place your pillow shams or accent pillows right before your regular sleeping pillows. It will enable you to provide your bed with the look you desire.
And at night, you can rest the sleeping pillows in front of your pillow shams and toss them off the bed before you sleep.
Difference Between a Sham & a Pillowcase
The only prevalent difference between a pillowcase and a sham is the location of the opening from where the pillows go inside the cover.
A typical pillowcase has an opening at one side or end of the pillow. There is some extra fabric hanging off the front hat side too. And in most cases, there won’t be any closures there either.
On the other hand, a pillow sham has a zipper along one side, or there might be an opening at the back. It might feature a closure that has an envelope style.
Apart from the location of the opening, a sham may have a cording or flange right around the edges. It will have a far more decorative front.
A pillowcase will have a simpler front and protect the pillow from various body oils, fluids, and dirt as you sleep on them.
Can You Use a Pillow Sham for Sleep?
Technically, you can use your pillow sham to sleep, and some people also do it regularly. But these shams are not designed for this purpose. It is because shams might look pretty and attractive, but they are not comfortable at all.
These shoes are made of some decorative fabrics with textures, and they might have bulky flanges and tend to pile up while you are sleeping awkwardly.
So, what can you do with these shams when you want to sleep? Well, the most common practice is to throw them behind the convenient bed pillows with pillowcases. By doing so, you will also create another layer of padding between the headboard of the bed and your head.
Styling With Shams
There are various ways you can style your bed pillows when you have pillow shams. But a few standard arrangements are more common with them.
Stacked
Stacked pillows are the simplest arrangement you can use while using your shams. Therefore, it is quite a popular sight in many homes across the globe.
You can begin by laying your sleeping pillows on top of your mattress. Keep the cuffs pointed outwards or towards the edges of your bed. Afterward, you can stack pillows using decorative shams by placing them on top of your sleeping pillows.
It will create a pleasing yet quick arrangement. Of course, you can lean your decorative pillows against the stack. But with a minimalistic look, you don’t have to go for this variation.
Layered
Another quite popular arrangement to go for is layered. It will enable you to display your pillows if you have them in different sizes, fabrics, colors, and textures. You will be layering your pillows symmetrically and in an eye-catching way.
You can begin by learning the pillows you use for sleeping right against your headboard. Keep the cuffs outside or towards the edge of the bed. Now leaning against these pillows, you can display different Euro-size pillows dressed in pillow shams in an overlapping or a clean row.
The next step is to place a couple of standard or king-sized pillows in pillow shams and place them right in front if you want. You can fit in as many or as few pillows in the setting, and there are almost infinite design or decoration possibilities here.
Asymmetrical
Another option you can go for is a bit less structured. But it is far more creative in terms of styling sense. This arrangement is almost similar to the altered styling that we have just discussed above.
But here, you can use only larger or smaller pillows on one side of the bed. It will work best if all the pillows are in similar color, design, or even texture. But this similarity should exclude the smaller decorative pillows you place right in front.
Picking Up the Right Pillow Sham
First, you must know what size pillows you want to transform and use as your bedroom accessories. If the sham doesn’t fit the pillows you already own, making a move isn’t worth it.
This is because you will have to purchase new pillows that fit right. Matching pillow shams come in standard pillow sizes. So, you will only have to pick the right pillow size to cover it.
Another point that you have to keep in mind is whether you want to match the sham with your comforter or duvet or not. At times these shams come in sheets and duvet sets.
But in most cases, you will have to purchase them separately. Furthermore, you will also have to consider the style of the time, and it entirely depends upon what you like to see on your bed.
Type/Size of Pillow that Goes in Your Sham
Bed shams are made to fit conventional pillow sizes. If you are not sure what size is the right option for you, you have to take measurements and see which one will fit in the dimensions.
- Standard shams → 20 x 26 inches
- Queen shams → 20 x 30 inches
- King shams → 20 x 36 inches
What’s a Euro pillow sham?
This is a sham for a Euro-size pillow. These pillows are 26 x 26 inches in size, and Euro shams are made to fit right over them. These shams have the same role to play as any other pillow sham.
The only difference is that they have a non-traditional pillow size. Like other pillow shams, this sham also coordinated with the duvet and the bedding to give it a set look.
Conclusion
Pillow shams are pretty handy when it comes to decorating your bedroom. You can change the look of your room in no time by making just one move.
They will make your bed look pretty unique, and you won’t have to do much beyond that to stylize your room if you don’t want to. Shams are unique, stylish, simple, and effective in making your bedroom more modern.
Pillow sham FAQs
What is a pillow sham used for?
A pillow sham is used solely for decorative purposes. It is just like a regular pillowcase. But it might vary in terms of design. This is because it will have a more decorative front.
And its opening will be on its back, not on the side as it is typically on the convention pillowcases. It is made for decorative purposes, though you can also use it for sleeping or resting. It might not be very comfortable for that.
What does a pillow sham look like?
It looks just like a traditional pillowcase but will have a more decorative or fancier front end than a conventional pillowcase. It is also available in different sizes and can conveniently fit any sized pillows.
Do I need Shams?
If you want to decorate your bedroom in a unique but simplistic way, you can use shams. You don't need anything else to decorate your bedroom. These shams will be more than enough for you to get stylish. Of course, you have the option to change your curtains and sheets. But if you are looking for the simplest way to get the job done, you can use shams.
Where do pillow shams go?
In general, you can place them right in front of your sleeping pillows during the day when you are not resting. And at night, you can put them behind your sleeping pillows or toss them out of bed for the night.