Pillows are an essential part of designing a bedroom. From accents, sleep pillows, or decorative pillows, each kind offers style and function. One pillow in particular has been getting a lot of attention: the classic Euro sham. These beautiful square pillows are bedding essentials, but it can be hard to know exactly where to start. 

Luckily, Eastern Accents is here to provide all the answers. This family-run business has been crafting soft home decor in Chicago for over 30 years. Renowned for their beautiful home textiles, they are the experts in all things bedding. Here are their designers’ top tips to find the perfect Euro sham for your bed. 

Euro sham sizes at a glance

• Depending on your bed size and aesthetic preference, the number of Euro shams you use can vary. Here is what Eastern Accents’ designers recommend, at a glance: 

• Twin beds: One Dutch Euro sham for a perfect fit, or one standard Euro sham layered with more decorative pillows. For low-profile beds, consider one petite Euro sham. 

• Full and Queen beds: Two standard Euro shams, or two petite Euro shams for low-profile beds. 

• King and Cal King beds: Two Dutch Euro shams or three standard Euro shams. 

What is a bed sham?

Diving into the world of pillows can be overwhelming, and it’s important to know how to navigate it all. So where to start? Bed shams (or pillow shams) are decorative bed pillows typically placed in front of or on top of sleep pillows. This creates a clean, sophisticated look while adding depth. 

Unlike sleep pillows, which are typically solid, neutral, and crafted from finer fabrics, pillow shams are hardier and purely decorative. Eastern Accents designers use them to add style and add flair to a bed, and contribute to the design aesthetic of a bedroom. 

And what is a Euro sham?

Behind all this, is the classic Euro sham. Euro shams (or Euro pillows) are the backdrop of the bedding ensemble, providing a vital aesthetic background. They also will support the other, smaller pillows in front, ensuring they sit upright and look their best. 

But it’s not all about the look. These expert designers explain that Euro shams have plenty of practical uses too: they are comfy to lean against while you’re reading in bed, and they can make luxurious throw pillows on high-backed sofas.

The standard Euro sham size is a large, square 27”x27”. Two of these pillows perfectly fit Full and Queen beds. A single 27x27 can also suit a Twin bed, while three 27x27s work on King and Cal King sizes. 

What does it mean if a Euro sham is ‘boxed’? 

Boxed Euro shams have a 3" gusset. This refers to the depth along the edges of the pillow that make it look extra three-dimensional. This added dimension gives the pillow a plump, stately appearance. It can also bring additional depth to the entire bedding ensemble. 

Depending on the product, some boxed Euro shams have gussets that match their face fabric, and some have decorative contrasting gussets. 

Eastern Accents explains that the most common boxed Euro sham size is 27”W x 27”H x 3”D. Two boxed Euro shams of this size are ideal for Full and Queen beds. Additionally, one boxed Euro will fit a Twin bed; and three would fit King and Cal King sizes. 

How about petite Euros? 

These shams may be smaller, but they still pack a punch. Petite Euro shams are just like standard Euro shams, but scaled down. Designers most often choose them with low-profile beds, contemporary aesthetics, and for anyone who feels that other Euro sizes are simply too big.

For these small pillows, the team suggests that two look great on Full and Queen size beds. For larger beds, three petite Euros will fit. 

What makes Dutch Euro shams.... Dutch?

These pillows get their name because they are popular in the Netherlands. Sleek and sophisticated, these Euro shams are most widespread in the Netherlands, Scandinavia, and other parts of northern Europe. 

Dutch Euro shams are specially designed to suit beds that do not fit a comfortable number of standard 27x27 Euros in one row. These designers suggest they work wonderfully on Twin, King, and Cal King beds. 

The Dutch Euro sham size that Eastern Accents produces is 27x37. These are made so that 2 fit perfectly in one row on King and Cal King beds (which are 72"-76" wide). 

While designers love to add the ‘extra’ standard euro sham to a king sized bed, with these larger Dutch ones, it’s not usually necessary. Because two Dutch Euro shams fit straight across, they do not require this extra layer, and are perfect for a more minimal or streamlined style.  

Dutch Euro shams, the team reveals,  are also ideal for Twin size beds (which are 38" wide). A single 27x27 Euro is not wide enough to fill the bed, while two 27x27s would be too wide. If you are styling a Twin size bed with a 27x27 Euro, they recommend pairing it with other shams and decorative pillows to fill that space and create a rich, layered look. 

While there are many pillow options to choose from when creating the perfect bed, it’s important to know just how each kind will fit and function. This team of home textile experts’ tips make it easy to find the pillow of your dreams. 

Eastern Accents is a luxury home textiles brand, proudly based in Chicago. Learn more at www.easternaccents.com.