5 Ways to Make the Most of Your Samples

By Floor & Decor

You have your samples in hand. Now, what? Feel confident in your selection with five ways to use your samples and ensure you’ve considered all the elements of your space and design.

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View in Different Lighting

Assess your samples in your space’s artificial and natural lighting. When it comes to artificial lighting, warm versus cool light bulbs are a main factor in color variation, especially for white materials like marble. For example, warm lighting will make white appear more yellow, while cool light will make the color appear more blue.

For natural lighting, look at your samples in morning, midday, and evening light. Like paint, a material’s color and detail vary depending on the time of day.

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Try Product Pairing

For a look that’s cohesive, you need to consider other existing or new materials in the space like the metallic finishes of your hardware and fixtures. We recommend a variety of textures and contrast to make a design dimensional.

Pro Tip!

You don’t have to match new tile to the old when remodeling. It may not be an exact match based on the shade and look unpolished. Instead, find a complementary material for a more thoughtful finish.

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Coordinate Colors

Make your color palette come to life with a close look at your samples next to paint colors and fabrics. Believe it or not, all white and black materials vary widely. Even if you’re designing a neutral space, color coordinating is essential. Like lighting, consider warm versus cool tones when making your selection.

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Test Cleaning Products

In high-traffic areas like the kitchen and bathroom, cleaning is part of your routine. Now’s the time to try out cleaning products on your materials. Samples are a low stakes opportunity to get familiar with a product and feel at ease knowing that the cleaning is simple and effective.

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Try in Wet & Dry Conditions

For outdoor and bathroom materials especially, the conditions are often wet. Shower floor tile, for example, will always be damp when in use, so run the tiles under water or leave in the humid bathroom to look at the change in appearance.

With these pointers, you’ll be confident in your material selection. However, you don’t have to make design decisions on your own. Want an expert’s opinion? Turn to free design services for expert help every day. Our team of designers specializes in product pairing and color coordinating to bring you one step closer to enjoying your dream space.

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