Why is it worth ordering colour samples? Discover 7 simple reasons.
Choosing a colour for a roller blind or pleated blind from a photograph might seem straightforward – until you have to decide between several similar fabrics. They may all look appealing on screen, but it's only when you see them in your own home that you can judge how a fabric looks against your window, in your lighting and alongside the colours around it.
Fabric samples let you do this before ordering a made-to-measure blind. You can compare several options, see the actual materials and assess them in the same conditions in which you'll eventually use your finished blind.
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1. You'll find a roller blind or pleated blind fabric that suits your needs
Ordering fabric samples for roller blinds and pleated blinds allows you to examine the materials at home before making your final purchase decision. This is particularly important with made-to-measure blinds, as the fabric you choose plays a part in determining how the finished blind will look.
A fabric sample collection helps you narrow down your choices and compare the available options more closely. You can place similar shades side by side, examine the actual fabrics and see which one works best in the spot where your roller blind or pleated blind will eventually be fitted.
That way, your decision won't rely solely on a product photograph. You'll also be able to compare the samples directly in your own home.
2. You can compare on-screen colours with the actual fabric
Every screen can display colours slightly differently. Phones, monitors and televisions offer various picture modes, such as Standard, Movie, Game and Custom. These settings are useful for adjusting the display to your preferences, but when shopping online, it's easy to forget that they also affect how a product's colour appears.
The same shade may look different on a screen with a warmer colour temperature than on a device with more neutral settings. Display technology, such as OLED or LED, also makes a difference.
Then there's the photograph itself. The lighting, camera settings and conditions in which the picture was taken can all influence the final result.
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Product photographs are therefore useful when making an initial selection, but they don't always show the precise shade or true appearance of a fabric. Differences between similar colours can be barely noticeable on screen, yet much easier to spot once you place the actual samples next to each other.
3. You can check the colour in natural and artificial light
The amount of daylight entering a room changes from day to day. The weather, time of day and even the season all play a part. As a result, the same shade may look different at sunny midday, on a cloudy afternoon, on a spring morning or on an autumn evening.
The lighting inside the room matters too. A reading lamp, LED strips fitted to furniture, the main ceiling light or the glow from a television can all change how you perceive a colour.
Another factor is the colour temperature of the light, measured in kelvins. In simple terms, lower values indicate warmer, more yellow-toned light, while higher values indicate cooler light. Manufacturers may use different descriptions, so two light sources with similar labels won't necessarily produce exactly the same effect.
It's best to leave your samples by the window and look at them again under different lighting conditions. If you're looking for a particular shade, don't make your decision after a single glance.
4. You'll see how your window's orientation affects the colour
The amount of sunlight reaching a room also depends on which direction the window faces. East-facing windows receive the most direct sunlight in the morning, while west-facing windows receive it later in the day.
The same colour can therefore look different beside a north-, south-, east- or west-facing window.
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That's why it's best to assess the fabric exactly where your roller blind or pleated blind will be fitted. This allows you to see how it looks at the times when you use the room most often.
For example, if you mainly use your bedroom in the evening, pay particular attention to how the colour looks at that time of day.
5. It's easier to match your blind's colour to your interior
It's worth comparing the colour of your blind with the other elements in the room, particularly the window frame, walls, flooring, furniture, curtains and any other large surfaces nearby.
Window frames come in a wide range of colours, finishes and textures, whether they're made from wood, PVC or aluminium. Wood may have a visible grain, PVC frames can come in various shades and decorative finishes, and aluminium may have a matt or glossy surface or a finish that shows the material's natural appearance. It's therefore worth holding the sample directly against the frame to see how the two look together.
Your interior style matters as well. Some people prefer a neutral blind that blends discreetly into its surroundings, while others deliberately choose a bold, contrasting colour. Fabric samples allow you to compare both approaches in your own room.
With so many colours available, it's easy to find several shades that look almost identical. If you're undecided, place the samples side by side and examine them under the same conditions. This makes subtle differences easier to see and helps you choose a colour that works well with both your window frame and the room as a whole.
6. You can assess light transmission and privacy
Two fabrics in similar colours can behave very differently when exposed to light. This depends on factors such as their construction, weave density and how they're made. If you look closely at some standard fabrics, you may notice tiny gaps between the fibres that allow some light to pass through.
The easiest way to check this is to hold a sample directly against the windowpane. A fabric sample that looks relatively dark and dense on a table may be more translucent when backlit than its appearance initially suggests. You can also compare light and dark versions of the same or a similar fabric, as colour itself affects how light is perceived inside a room.
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You can also carry out a simple test with a torch. Shine it through several samples, one at a time. This lets you compare a standard fabric with one designed to provide greater room darkening. You can't carry out this test using a product photograph – you need a physical sample.
Blackout fabrics are constructed differently from standard materials. Depending on the type, they may consist of several layers or have an additional layer that reduces light transmission. As a result, they behave differently when backlit compared with a thin, single-layer fabric with a more open weave.
Another type of construction is found in honeycomb blinds, which have distinctive cells resembling a honeycomb. Placing samples next to each other helps you identify differences in their construction and light transmission.
You can also get an idea of the privacy each fabric provides. Hold a sample against the glass during the day, then repeat the test in the evening with the room lights switched on. You can also step outside and view it from the other side of the window. The view from outside may differ from what you see indoors.
Remember, though, that a sample primarily demonstrates the properties of the fabric itself. The final level of room darkening provided by a finished roller blind or pleated blind also depends on its overall construction and how it sits against the window.
7. You'll notice fabric details that photographs don't reveal
Colour is only one of the things you can assess with a fabric sample. You can also take a closer look at the material's structure, weave, thickness and texture, and check whether its surface is more matt or slightly glossy.
These differences can be difficult to spot in photographs, particularly when comparing several similar options. Seeing the fabric in person makes it easier to notice how its surface reflects light and changes with the viewing angle.
Even two colours with similar names may differ slightly. Placing several samples next to each other helps reveal subtle variations you might not have noticed before.
Look at your chosen sample both close up and from further away. A close-up view makes it easier to see the weave, texture and surface finish, while stepping back gives you a better sense of the overall effect.
Bear in mind that you're only looking at a small piece of fabric. The same colour may appear slightly different across the larger surface of a finished roller blind or pleated blind.
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How to compare roller blind and pleated blind fabric samples at home, step by step
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Choose a few samples that interest you. If you're deciding between similar colours, compare several closely related shades.
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Take them into the room where the blind will be fitted. It's best to assess the fabrics beside the actual window.
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Place the samples next to each other. This makes differences in shade, texture and finish easier to identify.
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Compare them with the window frame and interior. See how they look against the walls, furniture, flooring and curtains.
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View the fabric close up and from a distance. One perspective reveals the details, while the other helps you judge the overall appearance.
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Leave the samples by the window for a while. Look at them again in the morning, at midday and in the evening.
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Check them under artificial lighting. See how they look with the lights you actually use in the room.
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Hold a sample directly against the glass. Check how it behaves when light shines through it.
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Narrow down your selection. After comparing the options, it'll be easier to rule out fabrics that don't give you the effect you're looking for.
Fabric samples help you make an informed choice
Fabric samples allow you to compare different options in real-life conditions before ordering a made-to-measure roller blind or pleated blind. You can assess their colour, texture and light transmission, as well as how they look alongside the window frame and the rest of your interior.
If you're wondering how to choose a colour for a pleated blind or roller blind, comparing a few samples in the intended room can make the decision much easier. It helps you spot differences that are difficult to see on screen and choose a material that best meets your expectations.
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth ordering fabric samples before buying a roller blind or pleated blind?
Yes, particularly if you're ordering a made-to-measure roller blind or pleated blind and are undecided between several fabrics. Samples let you compare actual colours, textures and light transmission in your own room. You can also check how your chosen fabric works with the window frame and surrounding décor before making a purchase.
Why might the colour of a roller blind look different in a photograph?
The appearance of a colour in a photograph is affected by the lighting when the picture was taken, the camera settings and the characteristics of the screen you're viewing it on. Colour temperature and display technology also make a difference. Two similar shades may therefore look almost identical on a monitor, while their differences become clearer when you compare physical samples side by side.
How can you check a roller blind or pleated blind colour in different lighting conditions?
Place the sample beside the window where you plan to fit the blind and observe it at different times of day. Compare how it looks in the morning, at midday and in the evening, then check it under the artificial lighting you use in the room. This shows how daylight, lamps and the window's orientation influence the appearance of your chosen shade.
How do you match a roller blind colour to your window frame and interior?
Hold the sample directly against the window frame, then compare it with the colours of the walls, flooring, furniture and curtains. Consider not just the shade, but also the finish and texture of the surrounding surfaces. If you're choosing between several similar colours, place the samples side by side to see which works best with the room.
How can you check how much light a roller blind or pleated blind fabric lets through?
Hold the fabric sample directly against the windowpane and observe how it behaves in daylight. You can also shine a torch through several materials to compare their light transmission. Remember that a sample only shows the properties of the fabric itself. The final level of room darkening also depends on the construction of the complete blind.
Can a fabric sample help you assess privacy at the window?
You can make an initial assessment of how much visibility the fabric restricts by holding it against the glass during the day and again in the evening with the lights on indoors. It's also worth viewing the sample from outside, as the effect may differ from what you see inside. This test helps you compare materials, but it doesn't replace assessing the fully fitted blind.
Which fabric features should you look at when examining samples?
As well as colour, examine the fabric's structure, weave, thickness, texture and surface finish. Look at it close up to see the details, then step back to judge its overall appearance. Notice how it reflects light, too. Remember that the same shade may look slightly different across the larger surface of a finished blind.
Standard Pleated Blinds
Blackout Pleated Blinds
Honeycomb Pleated Blinds
Day & Night Blinds
Blackout Blinds
Standard Blinds
Custom Roof Blinds