Updated Aug 7, 2025
If you’ve ever asked yourself, “What is a sham?” you’re in the right place. Often referred to interchangeably as a sham, pillow sham, or bed sham, these pillow covers turn traditional-sized pillows into decorations for your bed. While similar to a normal pillowcase, they often have a more decorative front and an opening in the back rather than the end.
In this guide, we’ll clear up any confusion and break down exactly what a sham is, how it differs from a pillowcase, and why you might want to consider using one to add a decorative touch to your bedding.
What Is a Pillowcase?
A pillowcase is a simple, functional cover for your pillow, designed to protect it from dirt, oils, and sweat while you sleep. Unlike decorative shams, pillowcases are primarily used for practical purposes, ensuring your pillow stays clean and comfortable. They typically feature an opening at one end, making it easy to slip your pillow in and out, and are often made from soft, breathable fabrics like cotton or linen to promote a good night’s rest.
Pillowcases come in various sizes, including standard, queen, and king, to fit different types of pillows and pillow dimensions. While they’re mostly plain and serve a utilitarian function, you can find pillowcases with decorative touches like prints or patterns to match your bedroom style. Easy to care for and maintain, pillowcases are essential for keeping your bedding hygienic and cozy night after night.
What Is a Pillow Sham?
A pillow sham is a decorative cover that transforms your standard pillow into a stylish accent for your bed. Often more elaborate than a typical pillowcase, it adds a layer of texture, color, or design to enhance the overall look of your bedding.
Because of its decorative nature, you’ll often use a regular pillow sham strictly as an accessory or to prop you up in bed while reading or relaxing. You can sleep on them, although the decorative pillow may not be the most comfortable. Additionally, depending on the type of decoration covering the front, they can be more laborious to wash than regular pillowcases. Unlike a traditional pillowcase, pillow shams usually open in the back rather than at the end. This helps create a cleaner, more polished look without visible openings, enhancing the visual appeal of your bed while keeping everything neatly tucked in.
What Kind of Pillow Goes in a Sham?
Bed shams are generally made to fit traditional sleeping pillow sizes. If you’re unsure what kind of pillow you need to have for each pillow sham size, measure it to see if it will fit in the dimensions below.
- Standard sham: 20 inches by 26 inches
- Queen sham: 20 inches by 30 inches
- King sham: 20 inches by 36 inches
Casper’s shams run slightly roomier than the industry standards above to make stuffing and fluffing easier—no over-stuffed corners or saggy edges.
- Percale & Sateen Standard: Outside 21.75″ × 29.75″
- Percale & Sateen King: Outside 21.75″ × 37.75″
- Hyperlite Standard: 21″ × 29″
- Hyperlite King: 21″ × 37″
That extra three-quarters of an inch on the outer shell lets your pillow loft fully without bunching, so the sham keeps a smooth, tailored look on the bed.
The History & Meaning of Shams
The history of shams is as colorful as the fabric they’re often made of. The term ‘sham’ comes from the trickster of the bedding world, meaning “a thing that is not what it is purported to be”.1 Now, don’t get your feathers ruffled! Shams aren’t here to pull the wool over your eyes. They’re simply decorative covers that give your regular pillows a dash of pizzazz.
Back in the day, shams added a touch of elegance without stealing the limelight. They’ve been around for centuries, gracing the beds of royalty and common folk alike. From the ornate designs of the Victorian era to the minimalist styles of today, shams have evolved while staying true to their purpose – to make your bed look like a million bucks!
What’s the Difference Between a Sham and a Pillowcase?
A pillowcase is a simple, functional cover designed for the pillow you actually sleep on—it’s usually made of the same fabric as your bed sheets, has one open end (sometimes with a cuff), and prioritizes comfort and easy washing. A sham, by contrast, is decorative: it typically features a flange or embellished front, hides its opening with an envelope closure or hidden zipper on the back, and is meant to dress up the bed during the day rather than to be slept on at night.
Do I Need a Pillowcase or a Sham?
Now that you know the difference between pillowcases and shams, it’s time to figure out which one fits your needs. Whether you’re shopping for function, style, or both, here’s when to choose pillow shams vs pillowcases to complete your bedding.
Why a Pillowcase is Essential
Pillowcases may seem simple, but they play a big role in the comfort, cleanliness, and longevity of your bedding setup. If you're using your pillow for sleep (and not just for looks), here’s why you should never skip a good pillowcase:
- Protects Your Pillow: Pillowcases act as a barrier against sweat, oils, and dead skin, keeping your pillow fresh and clean. Without one, your pillow would deteriorate faster, shortening its lifespan.
- Improves Hygiene: Swapping and washing your pillowcase regularly helps reduce the buildup of allergens and bacteria. This promotes healthier skin and can even help with things like acne and skin irritation. Certain case materials, like silk pillowcases, benefit skin and hair even more than your classic cotton or linen. Learn more about silk pillowcase benefits in our blog.
- Made for Comfort: Made from soft, breathable materials, pillowcases enhance your sleeping experience with a smooth, cozy feel. The right pillowcase can also regulate temperature, keeping you comfortable throughout the night.
- Preserves Your Investment: Quality pillows aren't cheap, and a pillowcase helps maintain their shape and integrity. If you’re concerned with how often to replace your pillows, pillowcases help you get the most out of your investment by protecting your pillow from dirt and oils.
4 Reasons to Buy a Sham
Now, you might be scratching your head, wondering, “Do I really need a sham?” Well, let’s cut to the chase. While shams aren’t exactly a necessity, they sure do pack a punch when it comes to sprucing up your bedroom. Here are a few reasons why you might want to jump on the sham bandwagon.
- They Enhance Style: Want to jazz up your bedroom without breaking the bank? Shams are your ticket to a stylish bedroom. They come in a smorgasbord of designs, colors, and fabrics. So, whether you’re a fan of the minimalist aesthetic or you’re all about that boho-chic vibe, there’s a sham out there with your name on it.
- Ease of Use: Shams are as easy to use as pie. Simply slip them over your regular pillows for an instant bedroom makeover. And when it’s time for a wash? Just take them off and toss them in the machine. No fuss, no muss!
- Comfort: While shams are often used for decorative purposes, they’re no slouch in the comfort department. Many shams are made from soft, luxurious materials that are a treat for your skin. So, go ahead, lean back and enjoy your favorite book or TV show. Your sham-covered pillows have got your back!
- Seasonal Decor: Want to change your bedroom decor with the seasons? Shams are a quick and easy way to do it. From spring florals to autumnal hues, you can switch up your shams to reflect the changing seasons. It’s like having a new bedroom every few months!
So, are shams necessary? Maybe not. But are they a fantastic way to style your bedroom? You bet your boots they are! So, why not give them a whirl? You might just fall head over heels for these decorative dynamos.
How to Pick the Right Sham Pillow
Knowing what size pillows you’d like to transform into bed accessories is the first step to picking the right bed sham. If it won’t fit the pillows you already have, it’s not worth the purchase unless you’re willing to purchase new pillows as well. Since matching pillow shams typically come in your standard pillow sizes, all you need to know is what size pillow you want it to cover.
Another consideration is whether or not a pillow sham will match your duvet, comforter, and other types of pillows. While decorative shams occasionally come in a duvet and sheet set, sometimes you may need to purchase them separately. Aside from these two points, another thing to consider is the style of the sham, which depends entirely on your preference.
Shopping for Shams: Casper’s Top Picks
Our percale and sateen shams are made with 100% organic cotton and come in a standard size and king bed size. Our quality Percale Sham is crisp and breathable, while our lustrous Sateen Sham features a soft, smooth finish.
We also offer our Hyperlite Sham made with 100% TENCEL™ Lyocell for ultimate breathability.
Complete Your Bedroom Set With Casper
When redecorating, trying to change the feel of a room, or just out shopping, it’s normal to ask yourself, “What is a sham?” It can be particularly confusing when faced with the decision to buy a pillowcase or pillow sham.
Keep in mind that one of the overarching differences between the two is the amount of decoration on each. Pillowcases are plain and show little decoration aside from the occasional printed design. If you want something a little more fancy that can be removed, washed, or replaced easily, a pillow sham is the way to go. But don’t forget to grab a coordinating throw blanket or sheet set to make your bedroom feel polished and complete.
Pillow Sham vs Pillowcase FAQs
When Should I Clean My Pillowcases?
Pillowcases should be cleaned regularly to maintain freshness and hygiene, ideally every week or two, depending on your sleep habits. If you suffer from allergies or sweat heavily at night, you may want to wash them more frequently to avoid bacteria buildup and skin irritation.
Can You Use a Pillow Sham as a Pillowcase?
While a pillow sham can technically be used as a pillowcase, it's not the most practical choice for sleeping since it’s designed more for decoration than comfort. The open-back design and decorative features on shams might not be as convenient for everyday use compared to a pillowcase.
Do People Still Use Pillow Shams?
Yes, pillow shams are still commonly used in bedrooms for a stylish, polished look. While they aren't essential for sleep, they can add a touch of elegance and help tie the overall bedding design together.
What is a Euro Pillow Sham?
A Euro sham is a decorative covering for a Euro-sized pillow. Euro pillows are typically 26 inches by 26 inches and Euro shams are made to fit over them. They play the same role as other-sized bed shams, just for a nontraditional-sized pillow. Similar to other pillow shams, a Euro sham will typically coordinate with the duvet and bedding to tie the look together.
Sources:
- “Sham Definition & Meaning.” Dictionary.com, www.dictionary.com/browse/sham
