Although we strive to make our online galleries of colors and patterns as accurate and true to life as possible, it can be difficult to get an exact representation on-screen due to the variations in displays. A color that appears dark blue on one monitor, phone, or tablet may appear almost purple on another screen. Without having a sample of the actual product in your hand, you may be unable to determine whether your new blinds or shades will match your home's style, décor, and color scheme until the window treatments arrive at your home.

Much of the beauty in fabric shades and wood blinds comes from the small, intricate details present in the fabric and wood itself. It's difficult to fully display those details on an electronic device, which means you may be missing out on subtle colors, shades, and patterns that truly bring out the beauty and elegance of certain types of window coverings. Having the sample in your hand also makes it easy to compare its pattern or wood grain to your furniture and décor, helping you avoid window treatments that simply don't fit the aesthetics in your home.

If you've narrowed down your options to just a handful of colors and patterns, but still can't make a decision, having samples on hand makes it much easier to get opinions from your friends, family, and neighbors. In many cases, a quick glance from a distance at a color, pattern, or wood grain that's being held up next to furniture or a painted wall will tell you more than hours spent analyzing colors online. And if you're unsure about whether the color scheme or pattern matches, have others help you by asking their opinion on different samples.

Texture is an often-overlooked aspect of blinds and shades, but it's an important thing to consider. Getting the right texture can go a long way toward making you fall in love with your new blinds and shades, while the wrong texture can leave you frustrated with your purchase. With online shopping, there's no way to test the texture of the fabric, vinyl, aluminum, wood, or bamboo window covering you're viewing in your Web browser. Our sample ordering process makes it easy to get your hands on the window coverings you're interested in before you make your purchase.

At Blindster, we know that many of our customers purchase window coverings for new homes or renovation projects where a substantial amount of work and new purchases are taking place at the same time. In those cases, it can be difficult for homeowners to determine the right color or pattern for their new window coverings—or they may have difficulty picking out furniture or wall colors based on the blinds and shades they want to install. With samples of your favorite shades on hand, you can quickly compare various décor, furniture, and paint at the hardware or furniture store and get the right items and supplies for your home.

Seeing a certain color or pattern in person isn't the only visual benefit to ordering samples or blinds and shades. The unique lighting in your home that your new window coverings will be exposed to during the day also plays a big role in their appearance and how well they complement your home's décor. The appearance of a sheer shade in a room with moderate amounts of natural light may look completely different than when it's placed in a room with plentiful natural lighting. With your samples, you can easily test how specific shades and blinds will look under a variety of lighting conditions in every room in your home.

Buying new window coverings can cause anxiety—especially if you're outfitting multiple rooms in your home. You've spent hours researching, measuring, comparison shopping, reading reviews, and preparing for your new window treatments. The idea that your blinds or shades may be a poor fit for your home can be a distressing one. But, with samples of your favorite choices right in front of you, you can feel much more confident with your order. Don't second guess yourself and don't be a victim of buyer's remorse—request your 10 free samples before you place your order with Blindster and get the peace of mind that comes with knowing you will love your new window coverings.