How to Order and Test Flooring Samples
Never buy flooring without seeing samples in your actual space. Colors look completely different in store lighting vs your home's natural and artificial light. Spend $30-50 on samples now to avoid a $3,000+ mistake. Learn how to order, test, and choose the perfect flooring.
Quick Summary
Time needed
3-7 days
Cost
$30-50 for samples
Samples to order
5-10 options
Why Samples Are Non-Negotiable
Store lighting is designed to make everything look good. Fluorescent lights, LED displays, and professional staging don't reflect your home's real lighting. That gray LVP that looked perfect in the store might look purple in your north-facing room or too dark against your cabinets.
Real Story: A homeowner ordered 1,200 sq ft of "gray" LVP without samples. In their south-facing kitchen, it looked blue-purple and clashed with cabinets. Returning opened boxes cost $400 in restocking fees. Samples would have cost $30.
How to Order Samples
1. Narrow Down to 8-12 Options
Browse online or in stores. Save photos of favorites. Consider color, texture, plank width, and pattern.
Selection Criteria:
- • Color family (warm brown, cool gray, light, dark)
- • Plank width (wider = more modern, narrower = traditional)
- • Texture (smooth, hand-scraped, wire-brushed)
- • Pattern variation (uniform vs varied grain)
2. Order from Multiple Retailers
Don't limit yourself to one store. Different retailers carry different brands and offer different prices.
Where to Order Samples:
- • Home Depot / Lowe's: Free samples, wide selection
- • Floor & Decor: Free samples, budget to mid-range
- • Lumber Liquidators: Free small samples
- • Online retailers (BuildDirect, FloorFound): Usually $3-10 per sample
- • Local flooring stores: Often free, expert advice
3. Get Full-Size Planks if Possible
Small samples (6x6 inches) don't show pattern variation. Full planks (6-12 inches) show the true look and let you arrange multiple pieces.
Tip: Some stores charge for full plank samples but credit the cost toward your purchase. Worth it to see the real product.
4. Include a Range of Options
Order your top choices plus a few wildcards. Include both lighter and darker options even if you think you know what you want.
Sample Mix Strategy:
- • 2-3 samples: Your top confident choices
- • 2-3 samples: Slightly lighter/darker alternatives
- • 1-2 samples: Different color family entirely
- • 1-2 samples: Different texture or plank width
How to Test Samples Properly
Place Samples in the Actual Room
Don't test samples in your garage or hallway. Put them on the floor where the flooring will actually go. Lighting varies dramatically room to room.
- • Lay samples flat on existing floor
- • Place against baseboards and cabinets
- • Position near furniture to see how colors interact
- • Move them to different spots in the room
View in Different Lighting Conditions
Check samples in morning natural light, bright afternoon sun, and evening artificial light. Colors shift dramatically.
Lighting Test Schedule:
- Morning (8-10am): Soft natural light shows truest colors
- Afternoon (2-4pm): Bright sun can make colors look washed out
- Evening (7-9pm): Artificial light (LED/warm bulbs) changes undertones
- Cloudy day: Neutral light, good for seeing actual color
Check Against Fixed Elements
Place samples next to things that aren't changing: cabinets, countertops, walls, furniture. Does it complement or clash?
Compatibility Checklist:
- ✓ Do sample undertones match cabinet undertones?
- ✓ Does color coordinate with wall paint?
- ✓ Does it complement countertop colors?
- ✓ Does it work with existing furniture?
- ✓ Is there enough contrast or is everything too matchy?
Live With Them for 3-7 Days
Your eye adjusts over time. What you love on day 1 might irritate you by day 5. What you're unsure about initially might grow on you.
Walk past the samples multiple times per day. Glance at them casually. Your gut reaction after living with them for a week is usually right.
Get Second Opinions (But Trust Your Gut)
Ask family members which they prefer. Take photos and text to friends. But remember: you're living with this floor for 15-25 years, not them.
Common Sample Testing Mistakes
Only looking at samples in store
Store lighting is completely different from your home. A sample that looks perfect under bright retail LEDs might look wrong in your north-facing kitchen.
Testing samples on a table
Flooring looks different when viewed from standing height vs table-top. Always lay samples on the floor and look down at them from normal height.
Ordering only your #1 choice
You need comparison to know if your first choice is really the best. Order 5-10 samples so you can eliminate options and compare finalists side-by-side.
Making snap decisions
Live with samples for at least 3 days. Initial reactions can be misleading. Colors that seem bold at first might become too much, or colors that seem boring might prove timeless.
Making Your Final Decision
Decision Framework:
1. Eliminate Clear Losers
Remove any samples that look wrong in your lighting or clash with fixed elements. Should be down to 3-4 favorites.
2. Consider Longevity
Will you love this in 5 years? Trendy patterns date quickly. Classic wood tones remain timeless.
3. Factor in Practicality
Lighter floors show less dust but more stains. Darker floors hide stains but show every dust particle. Medium tones are most forgiving.
4. Check Price Differences
If two samples look similar, choose the less expensive one. If there's a big visual difference, the extra cost might be worth it.
5. Trust Your Gut
Which sample makes you smile when you walk into the room? That's usually the one.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many flooring samples should I order?
Order 5-10 samples of your top choices. Include a range: 2-3 you're confident about, plus 3-4 alternatives. Different lighting conditions can make colors look dramatically different, so what looks perfect online might not work in your space. Samples are cheap ($5-10 each), but replacing the wrong flooring is expensive.
How long should I live with samples before deciding?
Live with samples for at least 3-7 days. Look at them in morning light, afternoon sun, and evening artificial light. Place them in the actual room where flooring will go. Check how they look next to cabinets, furniture, and walls. Your eye needs time to adjust and see how colors work in different conditions.
Ready for the Next Step?
Once you've chosen your flooring, it's time to order materials. Learn how much to order, when to schedule delivery, and what supplies you'll need.