Setting up your king bed with euro shams shouldn’t feel like solving a puzzle. Yet here you are, staring at your bed and wondering how many euro shams you need and where to put them.
You’re not alone in this confusion. Most people struggle with bedroom styling, particularly when it comes to selecting the right pillows and shams. The good news? I’ve got you covered.
In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how many euro shams work best for king beds. You’ll learn the styling secrets that interior designers use to create those magazine-worthy looks. Plus, I’ll share practical tips for arranging them so your bed looks polished, and not cluttered.
I’ve helped hundreds of homeowners transform their bedrooms over the past decade. These aren’t just theories – they’re proven methods that work in real homes.
By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly how to style your king bed with confidence. No more second-guessing or expensive mistakes.
Understanding Euro Shams for King Beds
Euro shams add height, style, and plush comfort, creating a balanced, luxurious look for king-sized bed arrangements.
What Are Euro Shams?
Euro shams are square pillow covers that sit behind your regular pillows. They’re different from standard pillow shams in one key way: size and shape.
Standard pillow shams are rectangular. Euro shams are square. Always 26×26 inches.
Think of euro shams as the backdrop for your bed. They create a clean, structured look that makes everything else pop. Regular pillows go in front of them.
Here’s what makes them special:
They’re purely decorative, not for sleeping. They stay put better than regular pillows. They give your bed instant structure.
I like to think of euro shams as the foundation of good bed styling. Without them, your bed looks flat. With them, it seems finished and intentional.
Why Euro Shams Matter for King Beds
King beds are 76 inches wide. That’s a lot of space to fill.
Without the euro sham, your king bed looks empty. The pillows seem lost in all that space. It’s like putting a miniature painting on a vast wall.
Euro shams fix this problem. They create a visual weight that matches the size of your bed.
Here’s what they do for you:
Make your bed look proportional and balanced. Add height and dimension to your bedding. Create a cosy spot for reading or watching TV. Give your bedroom that professional, put-together feel.
The Magic Number: How Many Euro Shams for King Beds
Getting the right number of Euro shams ensures your king bed looks full, stylish, and perfectly proportioned every time.
The Standard Formula
Three euro shams. That’s your answer.
I’ve styled hundreds of king beds, and three euro shams work best every single time. Here’s why this number hits the sweet spot.
Three shams give you perfect visual balance. One sham looks lonely. Two creates an awkward gap in the middle. Four feels crowded and overwhelming.
Think about it this way:
Twin beds need a 1 euro sham, Queen and full beds need 2 euro shams
King beds need 3 euro shams
The math makes sense. King beds are 76 inches wide. Three 26-inch shams provide approximately 78 inches of coverage. That’s nearly wall-to-wall visual impact.
But here’s the real secret. Three shams create rhythm. Your eye moves naturally across them from left to right. It’s pleasing to look at.
I always tell my clients: when in doubt, go with three. It’s the Goldilocks number – not too few, not too many, but just right.
Factors That Influence Your Choice
Sometimes you should break the three-sham rule. But rarely.
Your personal style matters. Love the clean, minimal look? You might prefer two shams with extra space between them. Want maximum cosiness? Three shams deliver that layered feeling.
Your headboard also plays a role. Tall headboards can easily accommodate three shams. Short headboards look better with two.
Room size counts too. Small bedrooms can feel cramped with too many pillows. Large master suites can handle the complete three-sham treatment.
But honestly? Start with three. You can constantly adjust later.
King Bed Styling Options with Euro Shams
Create a polished, layered look using Euro shams with coordinated pillows, textures, and colours to enhance bedroom design.
The Classic Three-Euro Arrangement
This is my go-to formula for king beds. It works every time.
Start with the back row. Place three euro sham covers against your headboard. Line them up evenly with small gaps between each one.
Next comes your middle layer. Add two king-size sleeping pillows in front of the euro shams. You can use your regular pillows or decorative shams that match your bedding.
Finally, your front accent. Place one or two small decorative pillows at the very front. These add colour and personality.
The result? Layers that look intentional.
Here’s the complete setup: Back: 3 euro shams, Middle: 2 king pillows
Front: 1-2 accent pillows
This arrangement gives you depth, comfort, and style all in one.
Popular Styling Variations
The Minimalist Approach
Less is more with this setup. Use your three-euro shams as the foundation. Add two king pillows in front. Finish with just one accent pillow in the centre.
This works perfectly for modern bedrooms. Clean lines rule here. No fuss, no clutter. Your bed looks calm and organised. The single accent pillow becomes your focal point. Choose a bold colour or an interesting texture to make it stand out.
The Romantic Setup
This arrangement feels cosy and inviting. Start with your three-euro shams. Add two king pillows. Then place two 20×20 square decorative pillows in front.
The square pillows create symmetry. They balance the euro shams perfectly. Great for couples who want a welcoming bedroom. You can choose soft colours and textures. Think velvet, linen, or faux fur for those front pillows.
The Bolster Style
Modern and sleek – that’s the bold look. Place your three-euro sham against the headboard. Add two king sheets in front. Finish with a single, long bolster pillow that spans the entire width.
The bolster creates a horizontal line that grounds everything. It’s sophisticated without being stuffy.
This style works well in contemporary bedrooms with clean architecture.
Two-Euro Alternative for Minimalists
Sometimes two euros work better than three. When does this happen? If you have a narrow headboard or prefer maximum simplicity.
Place two euro shams with extra space between them. Add two king pillows. Use a centred accent pillow.
The key is intentional spacing. Don’t let it look like you forgot the third euro sham.
Choosing the Right Euro Sham Covers
You need to start with neutrals. This is my number one rule for Euro Shams.
White, cream, grey, or beige euro shams work as your foundation. They go with everything and never look dated. Save the bold colours for your accent pillows.
But here’s the thing. You can break this rule if you’re confident with colour. Just make sure your euro shams don’t compete with your other bedding.
Pattern mixing gets tricky. Keep euro shams solid if you have patterned sheets or a busy duvet. Let them be the calm backdrop while other pieces take centre stage.
Material matters too: Cotton and linen feel casual and relaxed. Silk and velvet add a touch of luxury and richness. Textured fabrics, such as cable knit, bring visual interest.
Match your room’s vibe. Beach house? Go with linen. Formal main suite? Try silk or high-quality cotton.
Your euro shams should complement your duvet or quilt, not fight with it. Think of them as supporting actors, not the stars of the show.
Step-by-Step Arrangement Guide
Follow this simple guide to position Euro shams and accent pillows for a balanced, designer-inspired king bed setup.
Step 1: Position your euro shams.
Place all three euro sham covers against your headboard. Here’s the key part – let them touch each other no gaps between them.
This creates one continuous backdrop. It looks intentional, not scattered.
Make sure they’re centred on your bed equal space on both sides. The middle of the sham should sit right in the centre of your mattress.
Step 2: Add your middle layer.
Place two king pillows directly in front of the euro shams. These can be your sleeping pillows or decorative shams.
Position them so they slightly overlap the euro shams. This creates depth and prevents that flat, hotel-bed look.
Step3: Add accent pillows.
Place one or two smaller pillows at the very front. Centre them if you’re using one. Space them evenly if you’re using two. These front pillows should be different sizes from your other pillows. 18×18 or 20×20 squares work well.
Size contrast is everything. Your euro shams are 26 inches. Your accent pillows should be smaller – around 18-20 inches.
Fluff each pillow before placing it. Shape them by hand to give them a whole and inviting appearance.
Step back and check your work. Are the pillows symmetrical? Does everything look balanced?
Adjust as needed. Sometimes, moving a pillow just one inch can make all the difference.
Your bed should look stylish but not stiff as if it were inviting someone to sleep there.
Conclusion
Now you know the answer to how many euro shams for a king bed styling – three is your magic number. You have the step-by-step process, styling variations, and professional tips to make your bed look magazine-ready.
No more guessing or second-guessing your pillow arrangements. You’ve got everything you need to achieve the polished, comfortable look you’ve been wanting.
Your bedroom transformation starts today. Try the classic three-euro arrangement first, then experiment with the variations that match your style.
Is this helpful? Please share it with someone who’s struggling with their bedroom styling. And if you have questions about your specific setup, drop a comment below – I love helping readers create beautiful bedrooms.
Sweet dreams and happy styling!
Frequently Asked Questions
How many euro shams should I use on a king bed?
Three euro shams work best for king beds. This provides optimal visual balance and coverage for the 76-inch width. The three 26-inch shams create perfect proportions without looking crowded or sparse.
Can I use just 2 euro shams on a king bed?
Yes, but only if you prefer a minimalist look. Two euro shams leave more space between them, which works for modern styles. However, three shams provide better visual balance and coverage.
What size are Euro shams for king beds?
Euro shams are always 26 inches by 26 inches square, regardless of the bed size. This standard size works for twin, queen, full, and king beds – only the quantity changes.
Where do euro shams go on a king bed?
Place the euro sham against the headboard as your back layer. Position them so that they touch each other with no gaps. Add your sleeping pillows in front, then finish with accent pillows.
Do I need special euro sham inserts for king beds?
No, Euro sham inserts are the same 26×26 inch size for all beds. Use standard euro pillow inserts and choose covers that match your bedding style and colour scheme.
