--- title: "Wood and Stain Samples: What to Check Before Ordering a Custom Table" description: Physical samples help you compare wood and finish in your room. image: https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Gallery/Dining%20Tables%20and%20Benches/Havelock/Mcloughlin-4.jpeg?width=1600&height=1600&name=Mcloughlin-4.jpeg --- [Skip to content](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/articles/blog/can-i-see-wood-and-stain-samples-before-i-order-a-custom-table#lfc-main) [Luke’s Furniture CompanyWilmington, North Carolina](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/) Furniture [Dining tables](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/dining-room-tables)[Chairs & benches](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/seating)[Bedroom furniture](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/bedroom-furniture/)[Living & accent furniture](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/living-room-furniture)[Desks & workspaces](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/desks/)[Conference tables](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/conference-tables/)[Gaming tables](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/gaming-tables/) Built-ins & Millwork [Built-ins](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/built-ins/)[Cabinets, hutches & bars](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/dining-cabinets-and-shelves)[Mantels & floating shelves](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/mantles)[Architectural woodwork](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/architectural-woodwork/) [Our work](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/gallery) [Inspiration](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/lookbooks-inspiration) The Studio [Our story](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/about-lukes-furniture-company-handcrafted-custom-furniture-in-nc)[Our process](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/design-process)[Pricing](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/pricing/)[Visit the studio](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/schedule-a-design-consult)Trade program [Request a Quote →](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/request-a-quote) Menu Furniture [Dining tables](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/dining-room-tables)[Chairs & benches](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/seating)[Bedroom furniture](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/bedroom-furniture/)[Living & accent furniture](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/living-room-furniture)[Desks & workspaces](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/desks/)[Conference tables](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/conference-tables/)[Gaming tables](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/gaming-tables/) Built-ins & Millwork [Built-ins](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/built-ins/)[Cabinets, hutches & bars](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/dining-cabinets-and-shelves)[Mantels & floating shelves](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/mantles)[Architectural woodwork](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/architectural-woodwork/) [Our work](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/gallery)[Lookbooks & Inspiration](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/lookbooks-inspiration)The Studio [Our story](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/about-lukes-furniture-company-handcrafted-custom-furniture-in-nc)[Our process](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/design-process)[Pricing](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/pricing/)[Visit the studio](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/schedule-a-design-consult)Trade program [Request a Quote →](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/request-a-quote) ​ [← Back to Wood, Craft & Connection](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/articles)THE LFC JOURNAL # Wood and Stain Samples: What to Check Before Ordering a Custom Table [Luke's Furniture Company](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/articles/author/lukes-furniture-company) · November 10, 2026 ![Havelock — Signature Collection dining table](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Gallery/Dining%20Tables%20and%20Benches/Havelock/Mcloughlin-4.jpeg?width=1300&height=867&name=Mcloughlin-4.jpeg) **Quick answer:** Physical samples help you compare wood and finish in your room. They show a direction, rather than promising an identical grain pattern or exact color on every board. ![Live Edge Spalted Bar](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Wood%20and%20Finish%20Samples/IMG_2813-1.jpeg?width=820&height=820&name=IMG_2813-1.jpeg) Physical samples are a useful next step when color matters. Here is how to use them alongside photos and a clear project specification. ## Why physical samples matter Wood is not a consistent, predictable material. Two boards of the same species and stain can look noticeably different because of grain variation, porosity differences, and the specific batch of finish used. A sample cut from the actual species and stained with the actual finish product you're ordering is far more accurate than any digital representation. The light in your dining room — whether it's warm incandescent, cool LED, or natural daylight from a north-facing window — changes how every color reads. A sample viewed in your room is a better guide to the color direction, while the finished table will retain its own grain and natural variation. ## What a good maker's sample process looks like Most quality custom furniture makers maintain sample boards — small pieces of each species they work with, stained in their standard color offerings. Many will mail these to prospective customers. At Luke's Furniture Company, we provide stain samples in our most popular species and color combinations. We encourage buyers to hold these samples against their existing floors and furniture before committing to a stain direction. It's the single most effective thing you can do to ensure you end up with a color you love. For non-standard stain colors — a custom match to your flooring, for example — we can usually develop a custom sample specific to your project. ## What to do with samples Look at the sample in multiple light conditions: daytime natural light, evening artificial light, and if possible the specific light conditions in your dining room. Hold the sample against your existing floor. Hold it against your cabinet doors if they're visible from the dining room. Hold it against your wall color. Photographs can help you discuss combinations with your maker, but camera processing and screens can shift color. Make the final comparison with the physical sample. Don't rush this step. The stain decision is one of the most visible and permanent choices in the custom table process. Take the time to get it right. ## Before you decide - Compare samples against your flooring, cabinets and chair fabric. - Look in both daylight and evening lighting. - Confirm the wood species, color and sheen together. ## Plan the next step Bring room photos and the colors you want to coordinate when we plan your table. [Explore dining table collections](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/dining-room-tables). Use the [Wood Guide](https://lfcwoodguide.lukesfurniturecompany.com/) and [Size Guide](https://lfcsizeguide.lukesfurniturecompany.com/) where they help with your choices. [**Request a Quote**](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/request-a-quote) or [Schedule a Design Consultation](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/schedule-a-design-consult) with Luke in Wilmington, North Carolina. MAKE IT WORK IN YOUR HOME ## Your ideas. A clear next step. Have a piece in mind or a room that needs a better solution? Share a few photos, rough dimensions and what you want your furniture to do. Luke will help you work through the possibilities. [Request a Quote](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/request-a-quote)[Schedule a Design Consultation](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/schedule-a-design-consult) [Dining Tables →](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/dining-room-tables)[Chairs & Benches →](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/seating)[Cabinets & Servers →](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/dining-cabinets-and-shelves) ## Keep exploring. - [What dining table shape works best in your room?](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/articles/blog/what-dining-table-shape-works-best-in-your-room) - [What is the most durable finish for a dining table?](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/articles/blog/what-is-the-most-durable-finish-for-a-dining-table) - [What should I ask a custom furniture builder before ordering?](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/articles/blog/what-questions-should-i-ask-a-custom-furniture-builder-before-ordering) - [Explore the Learning Hub](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/learning-hub) ## Luke’s Furniture Company Custom furniture, built-ins and millwork, designed around the way you live and work. ### Explore [Dining tables](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/dining-room-tables) [Chairs & benches](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/seating) [Console tables](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/living-room-furniture) [Bar cabinets & servers](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/dining-cabinets-and-shelves) [Bedroom furniture](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/bedroom-furniture/) [Built-ins & millwork](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/built-ins/) [Architectural woodwork](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/architectural-woodwork/) [Conference tables](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/conference-tables/) [Gaming tables](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/gaming-tables/) ### Plan your project [Pricing guide](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/pricing/) [Our process](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/design-process) [Schedule a Design Consultation](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/schedule-a-design-consult) [Designer trade program](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/build-process) [Learning Hub](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/learning-hub) [Journal & guides](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/articles) [Request a Quote](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/request-a-quote) ### Visit & connect 3871 US Hwy 421 N, Unit C Wilmington, North Carolina [(910) 613-0641](tel:+19106130641) [luke@lukesfurniturecompany.com](mailto:luke@lukesfurniturecompany.com) © 2026 Luke’s Furniture Company [Privacy policy](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/privacy-policy) · [Warranty, shipping & returns](https://www.lukesfurniturecompany.com/warranty-shipping-return-policies) × [Text Luke](sms:+19104082961) Text Luke Text Luke Have a furniture project or a quick question? 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