A bed sham is a decorative pillowcase that is used to add some aesthetic variety to the bedroom. They are typically used on decorative pillows that are removed from the bed at night. Bed shams may also be called pillow shams, and they come in different sizes such as Euro sham, standard sham, or king sham. All three of these terms refer to distinct sizes of the same product that match the corresponding pillow size. Bed shams are designed purely for decorative use, so they are typically only embellished on the front side, while the back is made with solid fabric. They can be found in a wide variety of colors and styles, from simple solid color designs to modern, intricate designs. Bed shams are made out of a variety of fabrics that are commonly used in the textile industry, such as cotton, polyester, and linen.

Although bed shams can be used as pillowcases in some situations, they are not intended for this purpose. Most shams have some sort of decorative stitching, lace, or embellishment that may feel uncomfortable to lie on. Likewise, many bed shams should not be machine washed, so they are more difficult to keep clean. Bed shams are a great way to make a statement in your bedroom by turning plain pillows into eye-grabbing accessories. They may not be as functional as your standard pillowcase, but they provide an aesthetic flair to your bedding.