Shams

A layered bed is built from the back. The Euro sham is the large square that stands upright against the headboard, and the Standard sham is the rectangle that sits in front of your sleeping pillows or takes their place on a made bed. Every sham here comes in both sizes, so you can build the whole back line from one design.

Ours come in the same materials and design families as the bedspreads, so the bed reads as one rather than a set of separate buys. Velvet and herringbone for depth and shadow, sateen for a low even sheen, quilted weaves for structure that holds its shape against the headboard, across brown, blue, grey, black, pink, gold, green, taupe, mauve, caramel, burgundy and ivory.

Each is a cover only, with a concealed closure and the insert sold separately, so you choose a pad firm enough to keep the sham standing. Work outward to the matching bedspreads and cushion covers to dress the bed in one go. Exclusive to The Pillow Company, across India. Dry clean only.

What is a Euro sham?

A large square pillow cover, 65 x 65 cm, made to stand upright at the back of a bed rather than to sleep on. It sits against the headboard with sleeping pillows layered in front, giving the bed height and a defined back edge. ‘Sham’ means a decorative cover; ‘Euro’ the square European size. You will also see them called euro pillows, European shams or pillow shams.

What is a Standard sham?

A rectangular pillow cover, 50 x 65 cm (20 x 26 in), the size of a standard sleeping pillow. It sits in front of the Euro shams, either in front of your sleeping pillows or in place of them once the bed is made, so the bed looks finished during the day.

Which size do I need?

For a full, layered bed, use both: two Euro shams at the back and two Standard shams in front. For a simpler look, two Euro shams alone set the back line, and two Standard shams alone dress the pillows.

What colours do the shams come in?

Brown, blue, grey, black, pink, gold, green, taupe, mauve, caramel, burgundy and ivory, across velvet, herringbone, sateen, cotton and quilted finishes. Because they share materials and colours with the bedspreads, you can match or contrast tones across the whole bed.

What is the difference between a sham and a cushion cover?

Size and job. Shams are pillow-sized and form the base layers of the bed. A cushion cover is smaller, usually 40 to 55 cm, and sits in front as the accent. On a bed, layer back to front: Euro shams, Standard shams or sleeping pillows, then a row of smaller cushions.

How many Euro shams do I need for my bed?

For a king or queen, two side by side fill the back line; some use three on a larger bed. A single sham works as a centred accent on a smaller bed or a daybed.

Is the insert included?

No, each sham is a cover only, so you can reuse inserts and choose the firmness. A Euro sham needs a 65 x 65 cm insert; a firmer one keeps it standing upright.

How do I care for a sham?

Dry clean only. Velvet, sateen and quilted finishes hold colour and structure best dry cleaned. Store flat or upright, away from direct sun.

What if I need to exchange one?

If something isn’t right, we run an exchange policy rather than refunds. See our Exchange & Refund Policy.