How to Use Rug Samples to Test Colors in Your Room
By Pappelina. High quality Swedish rugs | Published: 2026-10-22
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to use rug samples to test colors in your room, from checking lighting to coordinating with your palette. Get practical steps for confident rug selection.
Quick answer
To test colors in your room, order a few rug samples, place them where the rug will sit, and observe them at different times of day and with your existing furniture and lighting.
Why rug samples matter for color testing
A small sample can't show you exactly how a full rug will look, but it's the best way to see how the color interacts with your room's lighting, walls, and furniture. Colors shift throughout the day and under different bulbs, so a sample lets you test before you commit.
Pappelina offers samples in 6 designs, and while not every design is available as a sample, the available samples represent almost all of their colors. This means you can still get a good sense of the color palette even if your exact pattern isn't sampled.
Trade-offs to keep in mind
Remember that the edging on a sample differs from the actual rug, so don't judge the finish by the sample's edges. The color is what you're testing, not the edging.
Also, a 20 x 20 cm sample is much smaller than a full rug, so it won't show how the pattern repeats or how the color looks across a large area. Use the sample to evaluate color, not scale.
Step-by-step guide to testing rug colors
- Order samples in your top color choices: Choose 2-3 samples that represent the colors you're considering. Since Pappelina samples cover almost all colors, you can get a good range without ordering every design. Don't order too many at once—it can be overwhelming. Stick to your shortlist.
- Place samples in the actual room location: Put the samples on the floor where the rug will go, not on a table or against a wall. This gives you a realistic view of how the color will look in context. Make sure the sample lies flat and is viewed from the same angle you'd see the rug.
- Observe at different times of day: Check the samples in the morning, afternoon, and evening. Natural light changes the color appearance, and you'll want to see how it looks in both bright and dim conditions. If you use the room mainly at night, prioritize how the color looks under your evening lighting.
- Test with your furniture and decor: Place the samples next to your sofa, under the coffee table, or beside your curtains. See how the color complements your existing palette. Take a photo with your phone to compare the samples side by side in different settings.
- Consider the color in multiple designs: Since a color can appear in several designs, you can use a sample to test the color even if that specific design isn't sampled. This helps you decide if the color is right before committing to a full rug. If you love the color but want a different pattern, you can order the full rug in that design knowing the color works.
Product facts
- EMM Samples: The EMM Samples are 20 x 20 cm pieces of actual rugs, with edging that differs from the full rug. This lets you evaluate the color in your space, but you'll need to ignore the edging when making your final choice.
EMM Samples - SVEA Samples: SVEA Samples are also 20 x 20 cm and represent a range of colors available across several designs. Even if your preferred design isn't sampled, you can still test the color and see how it works in your room.
SVEA Samples
