A sham is a decorative pillowcase that is used to add aesthetic variety to the bedroom. It is a pillow cover that fits over a standard, king, or European square pillow and is designed purely for decorative use. Shams are typically only embellished on the front side, while the back is made with solid fabric. They can be fastened at the back of the pillow using overlapping fabric, a hidden zipper, or buttons. Shams come in a variety of sizes, including standard, king, and Euro shams. They can be found in a wide variety of colors, styles, and fabrics, including cotton, polyester, and linen. Shams are usually sold in pairs made out of a fabric that matches a duvet cover or other bedding components. Although they can be slept on like normal pillowcases, shams are usually used as support when sitting in bed and as decoration during the day. They can be placed behind normal pillows when sleeping or just removed from the bed completely.