Euro Shams

A euro sham is the large square that stands at the back of a layered bed, upright against the headboard, with your sleeping pillows resting in front. At 65 x 65 cm it sets the height and the back line of the whole arrangement, which is why a bed without one can look unfinished however good the rest of it is.

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 and ivory, the colours people most often build a bed around.

Each is a cover only, 65 x 65 cm, 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 standard 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 size is a euro sham?

65 x 65 cm (26" x 26"), the standard European square. Larger and squarer than a sleeping pillow, it needs a 65 x 65 cm insert to fill it properly, sold separately.

What colours do euro shams come in?

Brown, blue, grey, black, pink, gold and ivory, across velvet, herringbone, sateen and quilted finishes. Brown, grey and blue build a neutral bed; pink and gold work as an accent against a plainer bedspread. Because they share materials and colours with the bedspreads, you can match or layer tones across the whole bed.

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

Size and job. A euro sham is 65 x 65 cm and stands at the back of the bed as the base layer. 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, then 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. You will need a 65 x 65 cm insert; a firmer one keeps the sham standing upright, which is the look most people want.

How do I care for a euro 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.