How to Style Pillow Shams on a Bed
Stand your hand-embroidered shams at the back of the bed against the headboard, and lay the sleeping pillows in their plain cases in front. On a Queen or King, two shams span the width; on a Twin, one is enough. At night the shams come off. That single move is the difference between a made bed and a styled one.
The basic arrangement
Shams at the back, pillows in front. The shams frame the bed and carry the embroidery; the pillows are what you actually sleep on. Keep the plain pillowcases for sleeping and let the shams do the display, which is exactly how the seven-piece set is designed to be used.
Four simple layouts
| Bed size | Shams | Sleeping pillows | Look |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twin | 1 sham | 1 pillow | Clean and simple |
| Full/Double | 2 shams | 2 pillows | Balanced |
| Queen | 2 shams | 2 pillows | Standard, full width |
| King | 2 shams | 2 to 3 pillows | Generous, layered |
A note on restraint
At this end of the market, less usually reads as more. Two shams and two pillows on a Queen, in one design, look calmer and more considered than a heap of mismatched cushions. If you want more, add a single plain bolster or a folded throw at the foot rather than more pattern.
Questions
How many shams come in a set?
Two, in every Kashukuma set, along with two plain pillowcases and a duvet cover.
Do I take the shams off at night?
Most people do. Shams dress the bed by day and come off for sleep, while the plain pillowcases stay. That keeps the embroidery crisp and your face on smooth cotton.
Can I mix two designs?
You can, though one design usually reads calmer. If you mix, keep to the same fabric and let one design lead.