Best Pillow Shams
A pillow sham is a cover for a pillow and is a quick and easy way to transform an ordinary pillow or stuffing into an extraordinary design feature. From simplistic modern lines to exotic materials and patterns, this simple purchase can make a big difference to your home.
Pillow shams are a cover for pillows that can be used to add a decorative flourish to a room. Some pillow shams mimic the exact shape of the pillow, while others may have a border flange or a decorative fringe. But what is the difference between a pillowcase and a sham? The pillow sham was traditionally used just for decoration. It can be used as a cover to your regular sleeping pillow that you put on when you make your bed and add a decorative detail to your bedding set. You take off the sham cover, revealing the sleeping pillow underneath. However, as the industry has evolved, the lines have blurred and now many pillow shams are made from materials that are also meant to be slept on. These shams are usually made from a lighter weight material and do not have as much structure as a classical sham. Pillow shams nowadays are not just for the bedroom. You can use a sham on any pillow of the correct size and they can be used as accent pieces to brighten up the look of your couch or easy chair.
As a decorative piece, pillow shams are a great way to add some variety and enhance the look of your room. For example, pillow shams can be used for a pop of color that can compliment the main palette of your room. For a truly luxurious look in your bedroom, pile on and layer multiple shams to turn a bare bed into an oasis of style.
Sometimes you will get matching shams with a bedding duvet or comforter set, but you don’t have to stop there. By adding another stylish individual sham that reflects your personal style will really make your room feel like something unique. A mix of materials is another way to upgrade the style of your room. You might add a silky sham to a bed set or a brocaded sham to a leather sofa. The most important rule with using shams is to have fun! They are primarily a very inexpensive way to add personal touches throughout your room and boost the style of your design.
| Rank | Product | Highlights |
| #1 |  Ceruleanhome Pillow Shams
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| #2 |  The White Petals Burlap Euro Sham Cover
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| #3 |  Pinzon Egyptian cotton
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| #4 |  Vaulia Lightweight Microfiber Pillow Sham
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| #5 |  Flber Tasseled Sham
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| #6 |  NTBAY Pillow Shams
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Types of closures
Pillow shams and pillowcases may seem similar, but they are different in terms of form and function. Pillowcases have a visible, open end on one side where you can slip the pillow into the case. Pillow shams often have an opening for the pillow on the back that is covered with overlapping fabric. This opening is not meant to be seen, so shams look as though they cover the whole pillow. Here are some basic closures you may see:
- Envelop: An envelope closure has two panels of fabric that overlap, leaving an envelope style closure in which you slip your pillow form.
- Zipper: A zipper closure may be used to finish the sham with either an invisible zipper or use an exposed zipper.
- Flap: This flap allows you to tuck the pillow inside and then use a flap to keep open end from showing.
- Permanent closure: If you get this type of pillow, all of the seams are permanently closed and the pillow and cannot be removed.
Standard Sham Sizes
Pillow shams typically come in four different sizes that match to the size of bed pillows:
Standard Sham (26” x 20”)
Queen Sham ( 30’ x 20”)
King Sham (36” x 20”)
A Euro Sham pillow is square in shape and suits multiple purposes:
Euro Sham sizes (26” x 26”)
Best Pillow Shams
Ceruleanhome Pillow Shams
Editor’s Pick
These over the top 100% velvet flannel pillow shams instantly spice up any room! The shams come in a pair and in your choice of gray, white or pink. They are fun, fluffy and easily transform the most basic of bedrooms into a luxurious boudoir. They look and feel expensive without breaking the bank. Ceruleanhome has other bedding products that you can mix and match with these shams. The velvet flannel fabric is not really velvet but is a combed cotton flannel that creates a billowy soft cloud with a velvet feel. You will easily fall in love with this decadent sham set.
Who should buy this pillow sham:
If you are looking for a touch of drama to help lift the decor of your bedroom, this ultra fluffy pillow sham set is the choice for you.
Pros
- Unique
- Additional matching products available
- Super soft
- Quality material
- Comes in a pair
Cons
- Not actually velvet
Product Specs:
Product Measures – 20″ x 30”
Material – velvet flannel
Envelope Enclosure
Package size 9.76 x 7.95 x 2.05 inches
The White Petals Burlap Euro Sham Cover
Best Neutral Sham
White Petals Burlap Euro Sham provides interesting textural detail to a neutral color creating interest without using colors or patterns. The shams fit a square shaped pillow (insert not included) and you can choose from various sizes (16 x 16, 18 x 18, 20 x 20, 24 x 24 or 26 x 26 inches). The choice of your insert will affect the final look of your pillow. If you are using a down insert you will want to go with a slightly larger size for a plump look, a poly insert should be the same size as the sham as the cover is true to size. This pillow sham is a great addition for your living room or bedroom. The neutral color also makes is a great choice for a house warming gift. The high quality construction of the sham creates a durable product. It even has has a zipper to make the removal of your insert easy. The company offers a money back satisfaction guarantee.
Who should buy this Pillow Sham:
If you are looking for a neutral color but still want an interesting sham, this jute sham provides a textural detail that elevates the pillow while still keeping a neutral palette.
Pros
- Neutral but chic
- Multiple sizes to choose from
- Money back guarantee
Cons
- Spot cleaning only
- Scratchy fabric
Product Specs:
Product dimensions: various choices available
Fabric 100% Jute
Box dimensions: 9.02 x 7.01 x 0.51 inches
Pinzon Egyptian cotton
Best for the Bed
Almost nothing beats the feel of Egyptian cotton when curling up in bed. Egyptian cotton offers a sought-after combination of superior strength and luxurious softness. This sham by Pinzon has a 400 thread count with a sateen weave, creating a silky sheen and assuring you a night of sleep filled with comfort. The sham boasts a colored, embroidered stitching band around the envelope closure on a two inch flange. You can choose your color detailed from these options: black, espresso, navy, silver-blue, silver-gray and taupe. The sham is easy to care for because it is machine washable and dryable. The product is made in made in an OEKO-TEX Standard 100 factory, which is an independent system that certifies textiles meet high safety and environmental standards.
Who should buy this pillow sham:
If you are looking for a sham to add to your bedding set that is a soft, high quality breathable Egyptian cotton, this sham with various coloring details is a great option.
Pros
- Machine washable
- Color options
- Egyptian cotton
- High thread count
- Highly rated customer reaction
Cons
- Not a standard size
- One sham
Specs for comparison:
Product dimension Measures 20 x 26 inches
Product weight: 8.8 ounces
Material: 100% Egyptian cotton
Vaulia Lightweight Microfiber Pillow Sham
Best for Pleating Detail
These microfiber pillow shams from Vaulia are made from incredibly soft and light polyester. The pinched pleating detail really upgrades the style of basic bedding. The envelope opening is on the side, not in the middle of the pillow, and some have complained that they are more of a pillowcase than a sham while most love the lightweight, easy fit as an addition to their bedding. You can chose from gray, blue, white and black or mix and match. The pillow sham comes in standard, queen and king sizes and is extremely affordable because your purchase includes a pair of shams. Machine washable. Manufacturer offers a generous 15-month guarantee against ripping, fraying or faults.
Who should buy this pillow sham:
If you are looking to upgrade to a sophisticated look for your bedding set, try these simple pinch pleated pillow shams.
Pros
- Two shams included
- Inexpensive
- Machine washable
- 15-month Manufacturer Warranty
Cons
- Light pillowcase structure
- Side closure
Product Specs:
Product Size: 87” x 65.2’’x 15.67’
Package dimensions: 10 x 10 x 1.2 inches
Weight: 6.4 ounces
Flber Tasseled Sham
Best Trimmed Sham
These 100% washed cotton weave shams have an envelope-slit opening at back that fits a regular queen sized pillow. The ample decorative tassels make them look as if you bought them in a small boutique while traveling abroad. The shams come in a set of two, which makes them a real bargain. The tassel detailing adds a real opulence to the look but the shams are still machine washable. Available in white or gray.
Who should buy this sham:
If you love tassels, trims and boho details this set of shams is a great bargain.
PROS
- Inexpensive
- Two shams included
- Unique
- Two color options
- Detailed
- 100% cotton
Cons
- Small
- Side closure
Product Specs:
Product size: 18.9 x 29.1 inches or 19.7in x 35.5 inches
Package dimensions: 11.3 x 10 x 0.9 inches
Product weight: 8.8 oz
NTBAY Pillow Shams
Best Color Variety
From sage green to sky blue, pale orange to purple, and coffee to chocolate, NTBAY has a large variety of colors for you to choose from. With their inexpensive price point for a pair of shams you may want to get a variety of colors to spice up your bedroom or dorm room. This sham set is made from soft, brushed microfiber and are easy to care for as they are wrinkle, fade and stain resistant. The sizes fit a standard, queen, king or square euro sized pillow.
Who Should Buy This Sham:
If you have teens or kids in college who are looking for bright colors options to add a bit of fun to their room or dorm room these low priced shams are a great pick.
Pros
- Fade Resistant
- Wrinkle resistant
- Large variety of colors
- Inexpensive
- Two shams in a pack
Cons
- Thin material
Product Specs:
Product size: standard, queen, king or square euro
Package dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 1.3 inches
Product weight: 9.6 ounces
Bottom Line:
You can really elevate any space by adding a pillow sham. There are many patterns and colors to choose from so you have boundless options. Using a pillow sham is an easy, inexpensive way to create a unique design element in your space. Whether you decide to match your colors or bring in a pop of something new and contrasting, this small addition to your room will make a large impact. Be sure to look at different colors, patterns, shapes and sizes, and then enjoy the process because it is impossible to go wrong!