Quick Answer: The best pillow shams for most beds are cotton percale or sateen in standard or Euro sizing, matched to your existing sheet set. For a queen bed: 2 standard shams + 2 Euro shams creates a full layered look. Decorative shams accumulate dust mites quickly in Canada's humid summers, so weekly washing or encasement covers matter more than most guides acknowledge.
In This Guide
Reading Time: 6 minutes
Pillow shams are one of those purchases that seem straightforward until you are standing in a bedding store trying to figure out whether you need standard, king, or Euro, how many, and whether they should match your duvet cover or contrast with it. Most guides focus on aesthetics. This one starts with function and hygiene, then gets to the styling side.
Sham vs. Pillowcase: The Actual Difference
A pillowcase is a simple sleeve that opens at one end. You slide the pillow in and leave it there. A sham is a decorative pillow cover that wraps the entire pillow, usually with a flange (a flat fabric border) around the edges, and closes at the back with an overlap or envelope closure rather than an open end. The flange is the visual tell: if it has a raised fabric border, it is a sham.
Shams are designed to be seen. They are removed at night (or should be), and the sleeping pillow with its pillowcase is what you actually sleep on. This distinction matters for care and hygiene, because shams and sleeping pillowcases have different usage cycles and different washing requirements.
Why the Flange Matters Functionally
The flange on a pillow sham does more than look polished. It adds visual weight and structure that helps pillows hold their shape and position against a headboard. Without the flange, pillows tend to slide and lean. The flange creates a border that catches against bedding below and behind it, improving the stability of the layered look. Euro shams, with their large square format and wide flanges, work particularly well against headboards for this reason.
Size Guide by Bed Type
| Sham Type | Dimensions (inches) | Dimensions (cm) | Fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Sham | 20" x 26" | 51 x 66 cm | Standard pillow (20" x 26") |
| Queen Sham | 20" x 30" | 51 x 76 cm | Queen pillow (20" x 30") |
| King Sham | 20" x 36" | 51 x 91 cm | King pillow (20" x 36") |
| Euro Sham | 26" x 26" | 66 x 66 cm | Euro pillow (26" x 26") |
The standard sham is the most versatile. In Canada, most bedding sets sold with a "sham" include standard sizing by default. If you are buying shams separately to mix with an existing set, confirm the size against your actual pillow dimensions, since standard and queen shams are close enough in size that the wrong one creates a loose, baggy fit that looks untidy.
Euro shams require Euro pillows (also called Continental pillows), which are typically sold separately from most bedding sets. They add a layered look but require the insert purchase to work. At Mattress Miracle, we carry a selection of pillow inserts that complement our bedding range.
Materials Comparison
Sham material affects both the look and the laundering practicality. The most common options:
Cotton Percale
Crisp, matte finish, durable, and resists pilling over time. Percale shams look clean and structured and hold up well to frequent washing, which matters given the allergen hygiene requirements discussed below. Long-staple cotton percale (Egyptian or Supima) will maintain its look through more wash cycles than standard short-staple cotton. In Ontario's variable humidity, percale's breathability also means less moisture retention between uses.
Cotton Sateen
Silky feel, subtle lustre, dresses up a bed more than percale. Sateen shams are more prone to snagging (the long thread floats catch on rough surfaces), and they show wear slightly faster than percale. If the bed is in a room with pets, percale is the more practical choice. For a guest room used infrequently, sateen looks excellent and holds up fine with careful washing.
Linen
Linen shams have a relaxed, textured look that complements casual and coastal bedroom styles. Linen wrinkles, which either adds to the aesthetic or bothers you depending on your preferences. It is naturally hypoallergenic, gets softer with each wash, and is among the more breathable sham materials. The laundering curve is slightly more involved than cotton (cold wash, reshape when damp).
Microfibre
The most affordable option and widely available. Microfibre shams resist wrinkles and wash easily, but they have a slightly synthetic look that does not elevate bedding the way cotton or linen does. For utility applications (rental property, guest room with heavy use, children's bedrooms) microfibre is practical. For a primary bedroom, most people end up wishing they had spent slightly more on cotton.
Dorothy, Sleep Specialist: "Shams and duvet covers do not have to match exactly, but they should live in the same colour family. The most common mistake I see is people buying a bedding set that includes shams and then adding a completely different Euro sham in a contrasting colour that clashes rather than complements. A simple rule: if you are mixing, keep the texture consistent even if the shade varies slightly. Two different shades of the same blue work. Blue sateen with red linen usually does not."
How Many Shams Per Bed
| Bed Size | Minimal Look | Standard Look | Full Layered Look |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twin / Single | 1 standard sham | 1 standard + 1 Euro | 2 standard + 1 Euro |
| Double / Full | 2 standard shams | 2 standard + 1-2 Euro | 2 standard + 2 Euro + 1 accent |
| Queen | 2 standard shams | 2 standard + 2 Euro | 2 queen + 2 Euro + 1-2 accent |
| King / Cal King | 2 king shams | 2 king + 2-3 Euro | 2 king + 3 Euro + 1-2 accent |
The "full layered look" is what most hotel beds and interior design photographs use, but it creates a pile of pillows that need to be removed and stored every night. Many people start with that look and simplify to the "standard" arrangement within a few months because moving five decorative pillows at 11 p.m. loses its charm quickly. The honest recommendation is to start with the standard arrangement and only add more if you genuinely enjoy the nightly ritual.
The Allergen Problem with Decorative Pillows
This is the section most buying guides omit, and it is worth understanding if anyone in the household has allergies, asthma, or sensitive sinuses.
Dust mites thrive in warm, humid bedding environments. They feed on skin cells (which humans shed continuously, including during sleep) and reproduce in any fabric that retains warmth and moisture. A typical used pillow can harbour a significant dust mite population within months of purchase. The allergen is not the mite itself but the protein in mite waste, which becomes airborne and causes the nasal and respiratory symptoms associated with dust mite allergy.
Decorative shams and their inserts accumulate dust mites on the same timeline as sleeping pillows, but they are often laundered far less frequently. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America recommends washing decorative pillow shams at least weekly, or more often during warm, humid months when mite populations are highest.
For households with allergy sufferers, there are two practical approaches:
1. Frequent washing: Wash shams and their inserts weekly in hot water (60°C / 140°F) to kill mites. This is effective but demanding for high-pile decorative arrangements, and repeated hot washing degrades some sham materials faster.
2. Allergen-protective encasements: Encasement covers with pore sizes smaller than 6 microns prevent mites from colonising the insert. The sham goes over the encased insert. The encasement can be washed monthly while the sham itself is washed weekly. This approach is more effective and gentler on the sham fabric over time.
Ontario Humidity and Dust Mite Season
Southern Ontario's summer humidity (frequently above 60% RH) creates conditions dust mites love. Brantford homes without air conditioning can see bedroom relative humidity levels that significantly accelerate mite population growth from July through September. If your allergies are noticeably worse in late summer and early fall, your decorative bedding is a reasonable suspect. Washing shams and decorative pillow inserts more aggressively during these months is a practical, low-cost intervention.
We carry mattress protectors and pillow protectors at Mattress Miracle that fit under shams and provide both allergen protection and moisture management. Stop by 441½ West Street and Dorothy can walk you through the options.
Related Reading
- Best Pillows for Allergies: Hypoallergenic Fills and Covers
- Best Quilt Covers: Thermal Microclimate and Fabric Guide
- Best Sateen Sheets: Weave Guide and Who Should Buy Them
- Bedding at Mattress Miracle
- Best Pillow Shams: Sizes, Fabrics, and Styling Guide
- Decorative Pillows and Pillow Shams Guide Canada 2026: Sizes, Arrangements, and Where to Buy
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a pillow sham and a pillowcase?
A pillowcase is a simple sleeve that opens at one end, used for the pillow you sleep on. A sham is a decorative pillow cover that wraps the entire pillow, typically with a flat fabric border (flange) around the edges, and closes at the back with an overlap or envelope. Shams are designed to be seen during the day and removed at night, while pillowcases are used throughout sleep.
Do pillow shams need inserts?
Yes. A sham without an insert will lie flat and shapeless. Standard and king shams use standard and king pillows respectively as their inserts. Euro shams require a square Euro pillow insert, typically 26" x 26", which is sold separately from most bedding sets. When buying Euro shams, budget for the inserts separately unless they are explicitly included.
How often should I wash pillow shams?
Weekly, particularly in summer. Shams accumulate dust mites and their allergens on the same timeline as sleeping pillowcases, but they are often washed far less often. For households with allergy or asthma sufferers, weekly washing in hot water (60°C) during warm, humid months is recommended. Year-round, every 1-2 weeks is the practical minimum. Using allergen-protective encasements under the sham reduces (but does not eliminate) this requirement.
Can you use a standard sham on a queen pillow?
It is not ideal. A standard pillow is 20" x 26" and a queen pillow is 20" x 30". Putting a queen pillow in a standard sham will either not close properly or create a lumpy, overstuffed look. For queen pillows, use queen shams (20" x 30"). Standard shams fit standard pillows correctly and look neat and intentional. The wrong size creates visible fit issues that undermine the whole layered bedding look.
Do Euro shams come with most bedding sets?
No. Most bedding sets sold in Canada include two standard shams and a duvet cover, but do not include Euro shams or Euro pillow inserts. Euro shams are typically purchased separately as an upgrade. If you see a bedding set advertised with Euro shams included, verify whether the Euro pillow inserts are also included, as they often are not. The Euro insert purchase is frequently the hidden cost of the "complete layered" look.
Visit Our Brantford Showroom
We are located at 441½ West Street in downtown Brantford. Free parking available, wheelchair accessible. Our team does not work on commission, so you get honest advice based on your needs.
Mattress Miracle, 441½ West Street, Brantford, ON, (519) 770-0001
Hours: Monday-Wednesday 10am-6pm, Thursday-Friday 10am-7pm, Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 12pm-4pm.
We carry bedding including sham-compatible sets, pillow inserts, and mattress and pillow protectors with allergen-protective properties. Call Talia at (519) 770-0001 or stop in and Dorothy can help you put together a complete bedding arrangement that works for both the look and the hygiene side. Shipping included on orders Canada-wide. Outside store hours? Our chat box is available almost any time we are not sleeping.
Sources
- Dust mite allergen and bedding: Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, "Protect Yourself From Dust Mites With Asthma and Allergy Friendly Pillows and Pillow Covers"
- Allergen-protective cover effectiveness: WebMD, "Dust Mite-Proof Mattress and Pillow Covers for Allergy Relief"; Cleveland Clinic Health, "Hypoallergenic Bedding: Does It Work?"
- Sham sizing standards: Parachute Home, "Pillowcase and Sham Guide"; Eastern Accents, "How to Choose the Best Euro Sham Size for Your Bed"
- Bedding styling by bed size: Matouk, "Pillow Formations Chart"; My Organic Sleep, "How Many Euro Shams for King Bed?"