A system, tool or method permitting a prospective purchaser of floor coverings or other surface coverings to engage in the contemporaneous manipulation and evaluation of various combinations of surface patterns, designs, colors, shapes, and the like as well as placement or orientations of the floor covering or surface covering elements prior to actual purchase and installation. For example, simulated tile elements having surface patterns corresponding to the surface patterns of the actual floor covering tile elements are provided in a manner such that each of the simulated tile elements may be rotated or replaced to simulate at least one alternative arrangement or layout.