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Decorative pillows and shams turn a plain bed into something that looks intentional. But the terminology is confusing (what exactly is a "sham"?), the sizing has too many options, and figuring out how many pillows go on each bed size feels like solving a puzzle. This guide clears all of that up.
We cover the difference between shams and pillowcases, every decorative pillow size and type, how many pillows to use on each bed size, the pillow insert sizing trick that designers use, and where to buy decorative pillows and shams in Canada.
Pillow Sham vs. Pillowcase: What Is the Difference?
A pillowcase is a functional cover that goes over your sleeping pillow. It protects the pillow from sweat, oils, and dirt, and provides a comfortable surface to rest your head. Pillowcases are made from soft, breathable fabric (cotton, percale, or sateen) and have an open end or envelope closure. You sleep on them every night.
A pillow sham is a decorative cover designed to make the bed look polished when it is made. Shams are made from thicker, more structured fabric and often feature embellishments like flanges (flat borders), embroidery, ruffles, or piping. They typically have an envelope closure or hidden zipper on the back. Shams are placed over regular pillows when the bed is made and removed before sleeping.
The key difference: Pillowcases are for sleeping. Shams are for decorating. Shams-covered pillows go in front of or on top of sleeping pillows for visual appeal.
Types of Decorative Pillows
Euro Shams / Euro Pillows
Large square pillows measuring 26" x 26" (66 x 66 cm). They sit against the headboard as the back layer of a pillow arrangement. Euro shams are primarily decorative but also excellent for sitting up in bed to read or watch TV. Usually sold in pairs.
Standard and King Shams
Standard shams (20" x 26") and King shams (20" x 36") match the dimensions of standard and king sleeping pillows. They are placed in front of Euro shams in a layered arrangement and are often included in matching bedding sets.
Throw Pillows (Accent / Toss Pillows)
Square pillows in various sizes (16" x 16", 18" x 18", 20" x 20", or 22" x 22"). Throw pillows come in endless colours, textures, and patterns, and serve as the decorative centrepiece of most bed arrangements. The 18" x 18" size is the most popular.
Lumbar Pillows
Rectangular pillows measuring 12" x 20" or 14" x 20". They sit at the front of a pillow arrangement and add a different shape to break up the visual monotony of all-square pillows. They also provide lower back support when sitting up in bed.
Boudoir Pillows
Small rectangular decorative pillows measuring 12" x 16". Placed at the very front of a pillow arrangement as a finishing touch. Popular for monogramming.
Bolster / Neckroll Pillows
Cylindrical tube-shaped pillows, typically 6" x 16" for a neckroll size. Placed at the front of a bed arrangement or at the foot of the bed. They also work as functional neck support or armrests.
Decorative Pillow Size Reference Chart
| Type | Size (inches) | Size (cm) | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Euro Sham | 26 x 26 | 66 x 66 | Back layer against headboard |
| Standard Sham | 20 x 26 | 51 x 66 | Middle layer, bedding sets |
| King Sham | 20 x 36 | 51 x 91 | King bed back/middle layer |
| Boudoir | 12 x 16 | 30 x 41 | Front accent, monogramming |
| Lumbar | 12 x 20 or 14 x 20 | 30 x 51 or 36 x 51 | Front accent, back support |
| Small Throw | 16 x 16 | 41 x 41 | Accent pillow |
| Medium Throw | 18 x 18 | 46 x 46 | Most popular throw size |
| Large Throw | 20 x 20 | 51 x 51 | Statement accent |
| Oversized Throw | 22 x 22 | 56 x 56 | Large accent piece |
| Neckroll / Bolster | 6 x 16 | 15 x 41 | Front accent, neck support |
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The Pillow Insert Sizing Rule
This is the single most important rule for decorative pillows: always use an insert 2 inches larger than the cover in each dimension. This creates the full, plump, designer-quality look. If the insert is the same size as the cover, the pillow looks flat and deflated.
| Cover Size | Recommended Insert Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 16" x 16" | 18" x 18" | +2" standard |
| 18" x 18" | 20" x 20" | +2" standard |
| 20" x 20" | 22" x 22" | +2" standard |
| 22" x 22" | 24" x 24" | +2" standard |
| 24" x 24" | 26" x 26" or 27" x 27" | +2-3" for larger squares |
| 26" x 26" (Euro) | 28" x 28" | +2-3" for Euro shams |
| 12" x 16" (Boudoir) | 13" x 17" or 14" x 18" | +1-2" for small covers |
| 14" x 20" (Lumbar) | 15" x 21" or 16" x 22" | +1-2" for lumbars |
Fill type matters: Down and feather inserts are more compressible and can go 2-3 inches larger than the cover. Polyester-fill inserts are stiffer and do best at 1-2 inches larger.
How Many Decorative Pillows Per Bed Size
Twin / Twin XL
1 Euro sham (back) + 1 standard sham (middle) + 1 small accent pillow (front) = 3-4 pillows total. Keep it minimal. A Twin bed gets overcrowded quickly.
Full / Double
2 Euro shams (back) + 2 standard shams (middle) + 1 accent pillow (front) = 5-6 pillows total.
Queen
2-3 Euro shams (back) + 2 standard shams (middle) + 2-3 accent pillows (front, odd numbers) + 1 optional bolster or lumbar = 6-8 pillows total. The Queen bed is the sweet spot for decorative pillow layering.
King / California King
3 Euro shams (back) + 2-3 King shams (middle) + 2-3 accent pillows (front) + 1 bolster or lumbar (very front) = 7-10 pillows total.
Design Tips
- Layer from largest (back) to smallest (front)
- Use odd numbers for decorative pillows (3 or 5) for visual balance
- Mix textures and patterns within a cohesive colour palette
- Vary shapes: combine squares, rectangles, and a bolster for visual interest
- Coordinate, do not match exactly: use complementary tones rather than identical patterns
Where to Buy Decorative Pillows and Shams in Canada
- The Bay (Hudson's Bay): Glucksteinhome, Hotel Collection, Ralph Lauren. Premium brands at wide price range. Watch for Bay Days sales (40-60% off).
- HomeSense / Winners: Best value in Canada for decorative pillows. Constantly rotating stock of designer brands at 30-60% off retail. In-store only.
- IKEA Canada: Affordable Euro shams and throw pillows starting under $10. Limited styles but excellent value.
- Pottery Barn / West Elm: Premium decorative pillows and shams. Higher prices but high quality fabrics and construction.
- Amazon.ca: Largest online selection. Prices from $10-$100+. Read reviews carefully for quality.
- Walmart Canada: Budget-friendly options starting at $8-$15 for throw pillows.
- Indigo / Chapters: Curated selection of decorative pillows with a focus on seasonal designs.
- Simons: Canadian retailer with a well-curated home section. Good mid-range decorative pillows and shams.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a pillow sham?
A pillow sham is a decorative cover for a bed pillow. It is made from thicker, more structured fabric than a pillowcase and often features flanges, embroidery, or piping. Shams are placed over sleeping pillows when the bed is made and removed before sleeping. They come in Standard (20" x 26"), King (20" x 36"), and Euro (26" x 26") sizes.
How many decorative pillows should I put on my bed?
For a Twin bed, 3-4 total. For a Queen bed, 6-8 total. For a King bed, 7-10 total. These counts include Euro shams (back layer), sleeping pillow shams (middle), and accent/throw pillows (front). Use odd numbers for decorative throw pillows.
What size pillow insert do I need for an 18x18 cover?
Use a 20" x 20" insert. The rule is to buy an insert 2 inches larger than the cover in each dimension for a full, plump look. If the insert matches the cover size exactly, the pillow will look flat.
Do you sleep on pillow shams?
No. Shams are decorative and should be removed before sleeping. The fabric is thicker and less breathable than a regular pillowcase, and the embellishments (flanges, piping, embroidery) can be uncomfortable against your skin. Sleep on regular pillowcases and add shams in the morning when making the bed.
Where can I buy affordable decorative pillows in Canada?
HomeSense and Winners offer the best value, with designer-brand decorative pillows at 30-60 percent off retail. IKEA has affordable basics starting under $10. Walmart carries budget throw pillows for $8-$15. For online shopping, Amazon.ca has the widest selection at various price points.
Visit Our Brantford Showroom
Mattress Miracle
441 1/2 West Street, Brantford
Phone: (519) 770-0001
Hours: Mon-Wed 10-6, Thu-Fri 10-7, Sat 10-5, Sun 12-4
Our team has 38 years of experience helping customers find the right sleep solution. Call ahead or walk in any day of the week.
Sources
- Gordon SJ, Grimmer-Somers K, Trott P. Pillow use: the behaviour of cervical pain, sleep quality, and pillow comfort in side sleepers. Manual Therapy. 2009;14(6):671-678. DOI: 10.1016/j.math.2009.02.006
- Gordon SJ, Grimmer-Somers KA, Trott PH. Pillow use: the behaviour of cervical stiffness, headache and scapular/arm pain. J Pain Res. 2010;3:137-145. DOI: 10.2147/JPR.S11074
- Erfanian P, Tenzif S, Guerriero RC. Assessing effects of a semi-customized experimental cervical pillow on sympathetic nervous system parameters. J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2004;48(1):20-28. PMCID: PMC1840035
- Persson L, Moritz U. Neck support pillows: a comparative study. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1998;21(4):237-240. PMID: 9608379
Decorative pillows and pillow shams add visual dimension to a bed but should be removed before sleeping, as they often use fill materials that do not support the head and neck. Mattress Miracle at 441½ West Street in Brantford notes that many customers confuse decorative euro shams with functional sleeping pillows. Brad recommends keeping decorative pillows separate from sleep pillows and investing the real budget in the pillows you actually sleep on. Call (519) 770-0001 for functional pillow recommendations.
Shop: Pillows at Mattress Miracle
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Popular pillows at Mattress Miracle:
- Somnia 3.0 support pillow
- Symbia Orthopedic Wedge Pillow
- Talalay Latex Pillow (Dreamcloud)
- Cool Ice Pillow (Cooling Gel)
Or our full pillow range in our Brantford showroom.
Find Your Perfect Mattress at Mattress Miracle
We are a family-owned mattress store in Brantford, helping our community sleep better since 1997. Come try mattresses in person and get honest, no-pressure advice.
441 1/2 West Street, Brantford, Ontario
Call 519-770-0001Frequently Asked Questions
What is a pillow sham?
A pillow sham is a decorative cover for a bed pillow, made from thicker fabric with embellishments like flanges or embroidery. Shams are placed over pillows when making the bed and removed before sleeping.
How many decorative pillows should I put on my bed?
For a Twin bed, 3-4 total. For a Queen bed, 6-8 total. For a King bed, 7-10 total. Use odd numbers for decorative throw pillows.
What size pillow insert do I need for an 18x18 cover?
Use a 20" x 20" insert. Buy an insert 2 inches larger than the cover in each dimension for a full, plump look.
Do you sleep on pillow shams?
No. Shams are decorative and should be removed before sleeping. The fabric is thicker and less breathable than a regular pillowcase.
Where can I buy affordable decorative pillows in Canada?
HomeSense and Winners offer designer brands at 30-60% off retail. IKEA has basics under $10. Walmart has budget options at $8-$15. Amazon.ca has the widest online selection.
Visit Our Brantford Showroom
We are located at 441 1/2 West Street in downtown Brantford. Free parking available. Our team does not work on commission, so you get honest advice based on your needs.
Mattress Miracle -- 441 1/2 West Street, Brantford, ON -- (519) 770-0001
Hours: Monday-Wednesday 10am-6pm, Thursday-Friday 10am-7pm, Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 12pm-4pm.
Come in and let our team help you find the right mattress for your needs. No pressure, no commission.