diff --git a/terminatorlib/prefseditor.py b/terminatorlib/prefseditor.py
index 6c2c4df2..d56a6234 100755
--- a/terminatorlib/prefseditor.py
+++ b/terminatorlib/prefseditor.py
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ write it to a config file
 
 import os
 import gtk
+import goocanvas
 
 from util import dbg
 import config
@@ -867,6 +868,31 @@ class PrefsEditor:
         else:
             widget.set_sensitive(True)
 
+        # Render this layout to the canvas
+        # FIXME: This should probably be in a scrollable viewport for when
+        # there are multiple windows
+        canvas = self.layout_to_goo(layout)
+        canvas.show_all()
+        container = self.builder.get_object('canvasalignment')
+
+        child = container.get_child()
+        if child is not None:
+            container.remove(child)
+            del(child)
+        container.add(canvas)
+
+    def layout_to_goo(self, layout):
+        """Create a GooCanvas widget that represents a particular layout"""
+        canvas = goocanvas.Canvas()
+        root = canvas.get_root_item()
+
+        # FIXME: Set the background colour
+        # FIXME: Determine the number of windows
+        # FIXME: Render each window
+        goocanvas.Text(parent = root, text = 'Render layout "%s" here' % layout)
+
+        return(canvas)
+
     def on_layout_name_edited(self, cell, path, newtext):
         """Update a layout name"""
         oldname = cell.get_property('text')