What to Do with Your Samples: A Step-by-Step Guide

Why Sampling Matters for Wallpaper

Most people stick their wallpaper samples to the wall and call it good. That's missing 90% of what samples can tell you.

Wallpaper is different from paint or fabric. You're covering a whole wall, so you want to be sure it looks amazing in your space. Samples let you test how patterns flow, how colors look in your lighting, and how our wallpaper works with your specific walls. We make sampling easy because we want you to feel excited about your choice, not worried about it.

Getting your wallpaper samples is exciting! But we know that little envelope can feel like a big decision waiting to happen. Don't worry – we're here to walk you through exactly how to make the most of your samples so you can move forward with complete confidence.

Step 1: Let Your Samples Acclimate (Just Like You!)

First things first – give your samples about 30 minutes to adjust to your home's temperature and humidity. This isn't just technical mumbo jumbo; it's how you'll see the true texture and feel of the wallpaper. While they're settling in, grab a cup of coffee and get excited about what's coming next.

Step 2: Test the Magic (Adhesion Check)

Here's where the fun begins! Pick a small, inconspicuous spot on your wall – maybe behind where a picture will hang or near a corner. Peel off a tiny bit of the sample's backing and stick it to your wall.

What you're looking for:

Does it stick easily without bubbles?
Does it hold firmly when you gently press it down (secure)?
When you slowly peel up a corner, does it come off cleanly without pulling paint or leaving residue (not permanent)?

The "just right" feel: It should stick well enough that it won't fall off on its own, but when you deliberately peel it away, it releases smoothly without fighting you or damaging your wall.

If it won't stick at all, your wall might need cleaning or have incompatible paint. If it's too sticky and hard to remove, test it again after letting it sit for just a few minutes – our adhesive is designed to be repositionable during installation.

🏠 For Renters:
This step is your deposit protection plan. Take a photo of your wall before applying the sample, then another after removal. This gives you (and your landlord) confidence that your security deposit is safe.

Step 3: See Your Design in True Light

Now for the moment of truth – how does your pattern look in your actual space? This is where samples really shine (literally).

Hold your sample up in different areas of the room and at different times of day if possible. Your morning coffee lighting is totally different from your evening Netflix glow, and you want to love your wallpaper in both.

What to notice:

Do the colors look like what you expected from your screen?
How does the pattern scale feel against your furniture and room size?
Does it complement or clash with your existing decor?

Pro tip from our design-savvy customers: Take a quick photo of the sample against your wall. Sometimes the camera catches things your eye might miss, and it's perfect for getting a second opinion from friends or family.

📸 For DIY Creatives & Influencers:
Test how your wallpaper photographs in different lighting conditions. Your morning coffee shots and evening dinner party ambiance should both look amazing for your content.

Step 4: Feel the Quality (Texture Test)

Run your fingers across the sample – this is your chance to experience the woven-linen texture and matte finish that makes our wallpaper special.

What you're feeling for:

Is the texture what you imagined?
Does it feel substantial and well-made?
How do you think it will look and feel once it's up on your wall?

Remember, this is 137 years of textile expertise in your hands. That quality should come through in every touch.

✨ For Design-Savvy Homeowners:
Feel the difference between our woven-linen texture and typical vinyl wallpapers. Quality wallpaper should feel substantial but not stiff, with a natural texture that photographs beautifully.

Step 5: Picture Your Pattern (Scale & Repeat Check)

Here's where your creative vision really comes to life. Since wallpaper patterns repeat, you want to understand how yours will flow across your wall.

If you ordered multiple samples of the same design, try placing them side by side to see how the pattern connects. If you only have one sample, imagine it repeating both horizontally and vertically.

Questions to ask yourself:

Does the pattern feel right for your space size?
Will it create the mood you're going for (bold statement vs. subtle backdrop)?
Can you envision waking up to this pattern every day?

👶 For Parents:
This is especially important for nurseries and playrooms – make sure the scale feels appropriate for little eyes and won't be overwhelming in a smaller space. Consider how the pattern will look from your child's height too.

Step 6: Test the Removability Promise

This step is crucial, especially for our renter friends! After your sample has been on the wall for at least an hour (but you can wait longer if you want), slowly peel it off at a 180-degree angle – pulling down parallel to the wall, not away from it.

What should happen:

The sample should come off in one piece
No paint should come with it
No sticky residue should remain

If everything looks good, you can feel confident about the full installation and future removal.

Step 7: Make Your Decision with Confidence

You've done the work – now trust yourself! By this point, you should have a clear sense of which design (if you ordered multiple) speaks to you and fits your space.

Decision-making questions:

Which sample made you smile when you first saw it on your wall?
Which one do you keep coming back to look at?
Which design feels like "you" in your space?

Remember: There's no wrong choice here. You've tested everything that matters, and any design that made it to your sample order is already a winner.

Step 8: Calculate and Order

Once you've chosen your design, it's time to make it happen! Measure your wall space carefully (we have measuring guides to help), and don't forget to account for pattern matching.

Ordering tip: Consider ordering one extra panel beyond your measurements. It's always better to have a little extra for future touch-ups than to wish you had ordered more later.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Testing on dirty or dusty walls – Clean your test spot first for accurate results
❌ Rushing the 30-minute settling time – Your samples need time to adjust to see true colors and texture
❌ Only checking one lighting condition – Test in morning, afternoon, and evening light
❌ Forgetting to test removability – Always complete the stick-and-peel cycle, especially if you're renting
❌ Not taking photos – Document your tests to help with decision-making and future reference
❌ Testing on textured walls – Our peel-and-stick works best on smooth, painted surfaces

What to Do with Your Leftover Samples

Don't toss those samples! Here are some creative ways our community uses them:

Keep them as a reference for future decorating decisions
Use them in craft projects or vision boards
Share them with friends who might love the designs you didn't choose
File them away – you might want that pattern for a different space someday

Ready to transform your space? We're excited to be part of your creative journey.