Avoid Costly Mistakes: The Power of Making Samples

When it comes to refinishing furniture, choosing the right color can feel overwhelming. Colors look different on wood than they do on a paint swatch, and once you’ve committed, there’s no an easy way to undo. That’s why making samples is one of the best (and simplest) steps you can take. Samples let you see how a finish works with your fabrics, textures, and room setting—before your spend time and money on a project you may not love in the end.

Not everyone is a visual person, and as a faux finisher, I can’t stress enough the importance of making color samples. Creating samples allows you to see colors in context—next to fabrics, furniture, and textures—so you can get a true sense of how the final result will look.

This is especially important when you’re refinishing a piece of furniture. If you’re not sure where to start, ask yourself: Where will this piece be living? Will it be in the living room, a girl’s bedroom, or a nursery? Also, look at items that will share the same space—such as fabrics, rugs, or décor pieces. These can serve as inspiration and guide you toward the right color choice.

To make my samples, I like to use scraps of molding, but you can use any scraps you have on hand. If you are making your sample on raw piece of wood, stain the wood scrap in a color as close as possible to your furniture. This way, your samples will give you a more accurate idea of how the finish will look on the actual piece.

I always make sure to write the color name on the back of each sample. It’s a simple step, but it makes it so much easier to remember what I used—especially if I want to recreate the sample I liked best.

You don’t want to spend time and money on a project only to realize later that you never really liked the color to begin with. Making samples first saves you from costly mistakes and helps you move forward with confidence.

Next time you’re refinishing a piece of furniture, take the extra step to make a sample and “interview” your choices before committing. A little time spent testing colors and finishes will save you from costly mistakes—and help you create a piece you’ll truly love.

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Until next time,

Rosalia

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XOXOX