I’m obsessed with furniture and decorating my apartment. When I’m shopping (mostly online), I sometimes have difficulty figuring out whether a bookcase, chair, or window covering would look good with the rest of my things.  I’ve found the solution is simply a matter of requesting a sample.

Almost everyone has a sample.  I’ve collected color and material samples of potential couches, bar stools, shades, carpets, stools, and book cases.  All it takes is a simple request.  Whether you talk to the manufacturer or the third party seller, most places have samples on hand and ready to give away.

Take the samples home, put them up against your existing pieces, and most of the guesswork is removed.