Free Wallpaper Samples A Guide To Obtaining Designer Samples For Home Decorating

Wallpaper samples offer consumers an opportunity to preview how patterns and colors will look in their space before committing to a full installation. These small swatches provide a tactile experience that digital images cannot match, allowing homeowners to assess texture, color accuracy, and pattern scale in their specific lighting conditions. This article examines the various wallpaper companies offering free samples, the terms and conditions of these offers, and how consumers can effectively utilize these samples in their home decorating projects.

Major Wallpaper Brands Offering Free Samples

Several reputable wallpaper companies provide free sample programs to help customers make informed decisions. These programs vary in terms of the number of free samples offered, shipping policies, and eligibility requirements.

Farrow & Ball

Farrow & Ball, a premium wallpaper manufacturer, offers customers the opportunity to order up to five free wallpaper samples at a time. These samples are made from genuine Farrow & Ball wallpaper, providing an accurate representation of how the full product will appear in a space. The company recommends a simple three-step process for utilizing these samples effectively:

  1. PICK: Select desired patterns and colorways, click 'select samples', and proceed to checkout. The samples arrive at the customer's door within a few days.

  2. STICK: Carefully position the samples in the room intended for decoration. The company suggests moving the samples around to observe how colors respond to different lighting conditions throughout the day, including artificial light.

  3. SCHEME: Once a preferred pattern and colorway are selected, customers can check the back of the sample or the product page on Farrow & Ball's website for suggestions of complementary paint colors to complete their decor scheme.

Farrow & Ball notes that samples are not available for their Archive collection patterns, as these papers are made to order. The company operates showrooms where customers can explore the entire wallpaper collection in person, experiencing the tactile texture, rich color, and captivating patterns with expert advice available.

DecoratorsBest

DecoratorsBest currently offers a promotion providing five free wallpaper samples with free shipping to customers. This offer, valued at $25, allows consumers to explore a variety of styles, colors, and textures without cost. To take advantage of this promotion:

  • Customers must visit the DecoratorsBest website and select up to five wallpaper samples from their collection.
  • At checkout, the promo code 5FREEFB must be applied to see the total drop to $0.00.
  • No credit card is required to request these samples.

This promotion is limited to five samples per household and is available to US customers only. The company offers high-quality wallpapers from top brands, enabling customers to preview designs in their own space before making a final purchasing decision.

Decorating Centre Online

Decorating Centre Online (DCO) provides a straightforward wallpaper sample service with the following terms:

  • The first two samples are completely free.
  • Additional samples cost 75p each.
  • All wallpaper samples are full width and cut to approximately 30cm height, providing a substantial swatch for evaluation.
  • Samples are dispatched the same day when ordered before 2pm and typically arrive within 2 working days.

The ordering process is simple: customers click 'Add Sample' on any wallpaper product page, and the cart automatically discounts the first two samples while providing a 99p shipping option. This service is available on all stocked wallpapers.

Walls Republic

Walls Republic offers up to three free wallpaper samples applied at checkout, with additional samples available for $5 each. Customers pay only for shipping. The company provides samples in two categories:

  • Residential samples: Measuring 8¼" × 11½" to 15½" × 21"
  • Commercial samples: Measuring 9¾" × 7½"

These samples allow customers to visualize how premium wallpapers will transform their space before making a full purchase commitment.

How to Request Wallpaper Samples

The process for requesting wallpaper samples varies slightly among providers but generally follows a straightforward pattern:

  1. Browse the collection: Visit the company's website and explore their wallpaper offerings.
  2. Select samples: Choose the desired patterns and colorways. Most companies limit the number of free samples per request.
  3. Add to cart: Use the designated "Add Sample" or similar button.
  4. Checkout: Proceed to the checkout page where any applicable promo codes should be entered.
  5. Complete the order: Provide necessary shipping information and finalize the request.

For companies like DecoratorsBest that require a promo code, customers must remember to enter the specific code (5FREEFB) at checkout to receive the free samples with free shipping. Some providers, like Farrow & Ball, limit customers to five free samples at a time, while others like Decorating Centre Online offer their first two samples free with additional samples available for a nominal fee.

Shipping policies also vary: - Farrow & Ball does not specify shipping timeframes or costs for their samples. - DecoratorsBest offers free shipping with their current promotion. - Decorating Centre Online ships samples the same day when ordered before 2pm and guarantees delivery within 2 working days for a 99p shipping fee. - Walls Republic requires customers to pay for shipping only, with specific dimensions provided for their sample sizes.

Types and Sizes of Wallpaper Samples

Wallpaper samples come in various sizes depending on the provider:

  • Farrow & Ball does not specify sample dimensions in their information.
  • DecoratorsBest does not provide sample size details.
  • Decorating Centre Online offers full-width samples cut to approximately 30cm height.
  • Walls Republic provides residential samples ranging from 8¼" × 11½" to 15½" × 21" and commercial samples measuring 9¾" × 7½".

The substantial size of many samples allows for proper evaluation of both pattern and color. Full-width samples, like those from Decorating Centre Online, provide the most accurate representation of how the wallpaper will appear when installed, as they maintain the pattern repeat across the width of the sample.

Using Wallpaper Samples Effectively

To maximize the value of wallpaper samples, customers should follow these best practices:

  1. Observe in different lighting conditions: Move samples around the room throughout the day to see how they respond to natural and artificial light. Colors can appear significantly different under various lighting conditions.

  2. Consider surrounding elements: Place samples near existing furniture, flooring, and fixtures to see how they coordinate with the room's current elements.

  3. Evaluate scale: Consider how the pattern scale relates to the size of the room and other elements in the space.

  4. Check complementary colors: For Farrow & Ball samples, the company recommends checking the back of the sample or the product page for complementary paint color suggestions to complete the look.

  5. Allow time for decision-making: Live with the samples for several days before making a final decision, as initial impressions may change over time.

Limitations and Considerations

When requesting wallpaper samples, consumers should be aware of certain limitations:

  • Quantity limits: Most companies restrict the number of free samples per request (typically 2-5 samples).
  • Exclusions: Some brands, like Farrow & Ball, do not offer samples for made-to-order collections such as their Archive range.
  • Geographic restrictions: Some offers, like DecoratorsBest's, are limited to specific regions (US only in their case).
  • Time limitations: Promotional offers may be time-sensitive and subject to change.
  • Additional costs: While samples themselves may be free, some companies charge for shipping or for samples beyond the free allowance.

Conclusion

Free wallpaper samples provide an invaluable resource for homeowners looking to refresh their spaces with wallpaper. Companies like Farrow & Ball, DecoratorsBest, Decorating Centre Online, and Walls Republic offer various sample programs with different terms and conditions. By understanding how to request these samples, what to expect in terms of size and delivery, and how to effectively use them in decision-making, consumers can make more informed choices about their wallpaper purchases. These small swatches allow for a realistic preview of how patterns and colors will perform in specific lighting conditions and alongside existing decor elements, ultimately helping to create more satisfying and cohesive interior designs.

Sources

  1. Farrow & Ball Wallpaper Samples
  2. DecoratorsBest Free Wallpaper Samples + Free Shipping
  3. Decorating Centre Online Wallpaper Samples
  4. Walls Republic Free Wallpaper Samples
  5. DecoratorsBest Free Samples Information
  6. I Love Wallpaper Samples