What Is a Bed Sham? (And How To Use One)
A bed sham is a decorative pillow cover that usually goes in front of or behind your sleeping pillows, adding color, texture, or pattern to your bed. Unlike standard pillowcases, bed shams are primarily used for styling, though some can also be used while resting or lounging. Small but impactful, they can instantly shift the mood of a room. Understanding what a bed sham is, how it’s used, and how to choose one for your bed helps you create a more styled, elevated pillow arrangement.
Bed Sham Guide: What You Should Know
The role of a bed sham is to add a decorative finishing touch that elevates a bed from simple to styled. Shams often come with comforters, quilts, or duvet cover sets, making coordination easy, or you can buy them individually to mix and match with your other bedding. Use them to prop yourself up while reading, soften the space between pillows and the headboard, or add that final touch for a polished, magazine-worthy bed.
Shams vs. Pillowcases: What's the Difference?
Pillowcases are for the pillows you sleep on; shams are for the pillows you style with. A pillowcase is soft, simple, and easy to wash often, while a sham is usually more structured, with details like quilting, flanges, embroidery, ties, or hidden closures. Here’s how they compare across key features:
| Bed Sham | Pillowcase | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary purpose | Decoration | Sleep and daily use |
| Closure style | Closes in the back | Open on one side |
| Fabric style | Often textured, quilted, or embellished | Smooth and simple |
| Placement | In front of sleeping pillows | On sleeping pillows |