Pillowcase & Sham Guide: How to Choose the Best Options for Your Bedroom

A pillowcase isn’t just a removable cloth covering for your pillow. Its main purpose is to protect your pillow from dust, dirt and stains. Not only that, but since you can wash it as often as you want, similar to switching out your face cloths, sleeping on a clean pillowcase can benefit your complexion.

Pillowcases often open on one side with or without a flap or tuck to conceal your pillow. They can also open straight down the middle in the back, like the styles from Parachute, to create a clean, seamless look.

What is a Sham?

A bed sham is another type of pillow covering, but it leans more toward decorative than functional. Sham-covered pillows are typically placed over regular pillows so that they're visible. To ensure the entire pillow is hidden within the fabric, the opening is always in the back (sometimes called an envelope closure).

Traditional shams have a fabric trim (sometimes called a flange edge) or a cording embellishment bordering all sides. However, you can find options without the cloth border (known in the bedding industry as a knife edge), which look almost identical to regular pillowcases to the naked eye.

What are Shams Used for?

By definition, sham means "false front." And in the case of bedding, the sham takes on the literal sense of the word. It's a prettier, more presentable version of a pillowcase to place in front of the pillow you actually sleep with.

Generally speaking, a sham is a decorative bedding accent typically used during the day while your bed is made. While you can use the same pillows in your shams as you do in your regular pillowcases, you might opt for something a little flatter or puffier, depending on the look you're going for.

Some people take their sham pillows off the bed at night or place them underneath their pillows for extra support. However, you can sleep directly on a sham-covered pillow, especially if the fabric is soft and comfortable.

What is a Euro Sham?

A Euro sham is a square-shaped sham for a European-style pillow (AKA the Euro pillow). Like rectangular sham pillows, this type of pillow is usually not slept on.

It's most often used for aesthetic purposes when making a bed, though a lot of people like to prop them up against their headboards while reading or watching TV. In some cases, Euro shams are used to cover decorative pillows placed on couches and chairs.

Brushed cotton is kind of like a lightweight version of flannel. It's gently combed on one side to create an ultra-cozy, buttery soft finish reminiscent of a beloved worn-in t-shirt.

Learn more in the guide to Brushed Cotton: Know Your Bedding Like a Designer.

2. Linen Pillowcases

Made of natural European flax, linen pillowcases are airy yet notably sturdy. Best of all, the breezy, breathable fabric gets softer every time it's washed.

Here's some helpful resources about what makes linen bedding one of the best options for any bedroom:

• Linen: Know Your Bedding Like a Designer

• What Makes European Flax Linen the Best in the World?

• Linen vs. Cotton Sheeting: What's the Difference?

3. Percale Pillowcases

Percale is made from extra-fine and silky long-staple Egyptian cotton. It's smooth, crisp and refreshingly cooling — not unlike hotel bedding — which makes percale pillowcases ideal for comfort and style.

Learn more in the guides to Percale: Know Your Bedding Like a Designer and What is Long-Staple Egyptian Cotton?

4. Sateen Pillowcases

Sateen is also made from long-staple cotton, but instead of a standard square weave, the fabric features a satin weave. Undeniably smooth and durable with a subtle, silky sheen, sateen pillowcases are a wonderful choice.

Learn more in our guide, Sateen: Know Your Bedding Like a Designer. To compare it to similar silky fabrics, read the guide to Sateen vs. Satin vs. Silk: What's the Difference?

Matelasse is a type of combed cotton with a structured weave. With Parachute's matelasse shams, you'll get simple striped texturing, which is perfect for those who want to add dimension to otherwise minimalist bedding.

Learn more about this excellent choice for your shams in the ultimate fabric guide, Matelasse: Know Your Bedding Like a Designer.

2. Cloud Cotton Shams

Cloud Cotton is a supremely light, almost fluffy fabric. The gauzy material is visually pleasing and elegant but also cuddly enough to sleep on with cloud cotton shams.

3. Quilted Shams

Quilted linen shams add a put-together yet inviting touch to a made bed. You can get traditional square quilted patterns, which lay flatter, or loft quilted shams, which have a little more structure.