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💡 Ultimate Guide & Tips From Our Laminate Journey
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We thought laminate would be the next big decision after tiles and we were right. We got lost in a sea of woodgrains, finishes and features. So here is everything we learned (and wish we knew earlier) from our laminate journey from shortlisting to sample testing to final selection. 1. Start with online research We found it helpful to first browse laminate brands’ IG pages. Most of them are quite active and post a good mix of laminate photos, which gave us a quick sense of their range and style. Brand websites were also very useful. Many have digital catalogues where you can filter by colour, finish, texture and series. You can even jot down what you like and ask to see the actual piece when you visit the showroom. We also scrolled through social media and renovation forums to get a clearer sense of what we liked and did not like. For us, we realised quite early that we were not into darker woods, heavily textured finishes or bold pop colours, so we ruled those out from the start. That helped us focus and not feel too overwhelmed later. 2. Book your appointment (if needed) and cater enough time for your visit Some laminate stores allow walk-ins, while others require you to book an appointment. We assumed that booking meant we would be guided through the whole process but that was not the case. At our first visit, we were quite lost because we expected someone to walk us through everything. In reality, some staff do help, but many will just let you browse on your own. After that experience, we got used to pulling out the sample racks ourselves and asking questions whenever we were unsure. That made things a lot easier. Also, do cater enough time for your visit! There is more to see and compare than we expected. 3. Prices are not shown sample by sample Unlike tiles, laminate samples do not show individual prices. Most brands just have a general price guide. For example, “Solid Colours” in one range and “Woods” in another. Very important to check with your ID or carpenter what is actually included in your quotation. For us, our ID mentioned that the price covered about 80% of the available laminates. So if you happen to pick one from the more premium range, be prepared for possible top-ups. Also, check if your ID works with the laminate brand you like. Some IDs do not collaborate with certain stores, so it is better to confirm this upfront to avoid disappointment. 4. Keep your samples organised Most showrooms give you a small sheet of paper and a pen to jot down your shortlisted picks. We found it really helpful to write down where each sample was meant to go, like kitchen, wardrobe, or wall. At first, we did not do this and struggled to read the code numbers and figure out which laminate was for what. After that, we made sure to label each sample with its intended area, such as kitchen cabinet or wardrobe side panel. This made comparing them much easier later on. Once you have around 10 samples, it becomes very easy to mix them up if you do not keep them organised. 5. Coordinate with other materials, don’t view laminates in isolation Bring your tile samples, wall paint swatches or countertop materials or even other shortlisted laminate selections with you when you visit the showroom. It really helps to see if the tones clash or if the textures feel off when placed together. In our Part 1 post, we shared how we missed the chance to get better colour coordination from the staff because we forgot to bring our tiles. Also, it helps to finalise your countertop colour first. We did not do this before choosing laminates, and looking back, we should have. Luckily, we went with a neutral countertop, so matching was still easier later on. 6. Do not rely only on online photos and small samples, you need to see laminates in person Most laminate samples are quite small, usually about the size of an envelope. A few brands offer larger samples around A4 size, which we found especially helpful. This made a big difference when visualising how the laminate would look across large surfaces like wardrobes or kitchen cabinets. For woodgrain laminates in particular, seeing the full "eye crown" pattern helped us notice which patterns we liked and which we didn’t. We feel that, like tiles, laminates are something you really need to go see and feel for yourself. Online photos and small samples alone are not enough. Try to take videos and photos of your shortlisted selections so it is easier to refer back and see the whole piece once you get home. Refer to Part 1 of our post for more deets. 
7. Bring samples home and actually test them We tested more than just how the laminates looked. We poured soy sauce, oil, and even drew on the surface with ink to see how easily they stained and how difficult they were to clean. One laminate we liked and told the ID about actually absorbed soy sauce into its wood texture. We immediately retracted our decision to use it in the kitchen. We also did light scratch tests. Some scratched off way too easily even with a pair of scissors that were not very sharp, which really surprised us. 8. Lighting matters Showroom lighting is usually very warm or very bright and it can change how a laminate looks completely. At home, we tried to view the samples under different lights: ✔️ Natural daylight ✔️ Warm white ✔️ Cool white ✔️ Evening ambient lighting 9. Laminates cannot be pasted directly to the wall We did not know this at first. Laminates need a plywood base to be mounted before installation. In wet areas like bathrooms or around sinks, poor sealing of edges can cause long-term water damage. If you plan to use laminates in these zones, look out for High-Pressure Laminates (HPL), which are more water-resistant. Seams and edges need to be properly sealed to prevent water ingress, regardless of laminate type. 10. Understand your finishes and what they offer ✨ Anti-fingerprint finishes hide smudges but usually cost three to four times more than regular laminates. They may also add to your carpentry costs. We heard from one staff member that no laminate is truly fingerprint-proof, so it is worth considering if the extra cost makes sense for your lifestyle. 🌳 Woodgrain laminates generally do not come with anti-fingerprint options. 🪵 Textured surfaces add depth and do a better job hiding marks and fingerprints. 🌞 UV-resistant laminates are ideal for areas near windows to prevent fading over time. 🧴 Matte finishes hide fingerprints and scratches better than glossy ones. Keep in mind, laminates are scratch-resistant but not scratch-proof. Avoid harsh scrubbing or sharp objects on the surface. Laminates are water-resistant, especially high-pressure laminates (HPL), but seams and edges need to be properly sealed to prevent water ingress. Some textures felt too rough or artificial to us, so always touch and feel before you decide. Ask about matching ABS edges (the protective strip that goes around laminate edges), some brands provide matching colors, others don’t. 11. Some showrooms deliver samples to your home If you are short on time or cannot visit the showroom again, some stores offer home delivery for samples. This was really helpful for us to test the laminates properly under our own lighting and alongside our other finishes. Just remember to check whether the delivery is free or if there is a charge. 12. Do not rush yourself Sometimes when staff have helped you pick samples, you might feel like you have to leave quickly so they can assist other customers. Looking back, we realised it is okay to ask if you can stay a bit longer to sit and consider your options while they attend to others. It is better to take your time and be thorough than to rush through such an important decision. 🔑 Final reminders from our experience: ✔️ Don’t choose based on photos or catalogues — you must see and feel the real thing! ✔️ Always choose materials in this order: usage first, then design ✔️ Go for practicality first. Aesthetics will follow naturally ✔️ Always check your samples in your home’s natural lighting This whole process took way longer than we expected… but we are so glad we tested, compared and took our time. Hope this helps anyone else going through the same!
18 September
