Most people walk into a sample flat and think: “Wow… this is exactly how my flat will look.” That is the mistake. Many buyers later realize their actual flat feels smaller, light and ventilation are worse, finishing quality does not match, and the layout feels tighter and awkward. This leads to the common realization: “But the sample flat looked amazing...”
If sample flats are meant to help buyers, why do so many people feel cheated after possession? Is it bad luck, or is the system designed that way?
Here is what usually happens during a site visit:
Sample flats are often oversized or modified. Thicker walls are removed, columns are hidden, and extra space is created visually. The best-facing unit is typically chosen for the sample. This provides more sunlight, better ventilation, and open surroundings. Your actual flat may face another building instead. Premium materials are used in the sample, including better tiles, fittings, paint, and polish. The actual flat usually receives “standard specification” materials. Furniture manipulation is common. Smaller beds, shorter sofas, and custom-made pieces make rooms look bigger than they really are. Perfect lighting setups involve extra artificial lights, warm lighting tones, and strategic mirror placement. This hides dark corners and poor daylight. You do not see real-life problems such as noise, water pressure issues, power cuts, or lift waiting times. Sample flats show design, not daily life.
How to Use Sample Flats Correctly
Sample flats are not useless, but you must use them properly. What you should use sample flats for:
– Understanding layout flow
– Room connectivity
– Furniture placement ideas
– Storage possibilities
What you should not trust:
– Room size perception
– Lighting and ventilation
– Finishing quality
– Actual view and noise level
– Always visit an actual unit, not just the sample flat. Measure rooms with your phone or tape. Check direction, sunlight, and airflow. – Visit the site at different times of the day. – Talk to residents in nearby buildings.
Sample flats are like Instagram photos: edited, filtered, and shown from the best angle only. Real life is different. If you buy a flat based only on a sample flat, you are buying a promise, not a reality.