| How to Decorate a Basement Apartment Posted: 18 Jan 2021 04:00 PM PST Basement apartments don't have to be dark, secluded spaces! There are plenty of colors, decorations, and other fun ways to liven up your living space without breaking the bank. With the right decor and color schemes, you can personalize your space and make it a comfy, cozy place to live. [Edit]Colors, Patterns, and Designs - Brighten up your living space with white. Don't just pick a generic shade of white—instead, look through different white- or cream-toned paint and wallpaper samples to see what fits best with your living space. White walls and wall decor can really brighten up the room, especially if your apartment doesn't get a lot of natural light on its own.[1]
- For example, you might pick out a textured white wallpaper to add a little depth to your apartment.
- You could also put up white shiplap siding around your apartment instead of using wallpaper or paint.
- Hold your paint or wallpaper samples against different parts of the wall. This way, you can see how they'll look in different types of lighting.
- Choose muted colors if your apartment doesn't have great lighting. Let's face it—basement apartments have a lot of perks, but abundant lighting isn't usually one of them. That's okay! Take advantage of whatever lighting you have by painting your basement apartment in a dusty, muted color, like pastel green or dusty pink. This way, your living space will still feel warm and cozy regardless of your lighting situation.[2]
- If you aren't in the mood for paint, look for a colored wallpaper instead.
- Deep blues and reds, along with dusty pinks are great colors to use in your apartment.[3]
- Paint an accent wall a rich color to add some depth. Pick out a wall that makes your apartment feel smaller. Choose a deep, rich color for your accent wall, which will help it meld into the rest of your apartment while also adding some color.[4]
- In a small bathroom, choose an accent wall opposite the main door.
- For example, you could pick a deep, rich red as your accent wall color instead of a bright, tomato red.
- Make your ceilings appear higher by painting them a dark color. If your apartment has lower ceilings, there's not much you can do structurally. Don't worry—a fresh coat of black or dark paint can make your ceiling feel a lot higher, which helps open up your space a bit.[5]
- This is a great option if you have low ceilings in your apartment.
- Give your home a calm, earthy feel with neutral paint and accents. Keep your walls a neutral, white, or cream color. You can also add a natural accent to your home with wooden cabinets and furniture. Even exposed beams can add a nice touch to your living space![6]
- You can always jazz up your neutral tones with a bright accent color, like olive green or deep red.
- Pick out cool, light-colored paint to make your apartment feel bigger. Chances are, your apartment might not have a lot of windows, which can limit your lighting possibilities. Make the most of this by picking out light, cool colors that really expand and open up the space.[7]
- For instance, light blue and gray paints are great to consider for your apartment.
- Colors like lavender and aqua work really well together.[8]
- Create a dynamic, eye-catching space with more than 1 pattern. Add different decorative elements to your living space, like area rugs, throw pillows, and wall decals. These don't have to be matching—instead, you can liven up your living space by choosing different patterns for all of your decor.[9]
- For example, your area rug might have a tribal pattern, while your wall decal is more geometric. Your throw pillows can sport animal prints and fun shapes, too!
- Add different textures to your apartment to give it some depth. Play around with different materials, like tile, wood, stone, leather, and other fabrics. Try to incorporate a variety of different textures into your living space—this will make your home really dynamic and appealing.[10]
- For instance, you can contrast a leather sofa with a shaggy area rug.
- You might have wooden countertops along with stone or brick walls in your home.
- Pick out a uniform theme or idea that ties your living space together. This can be just about anything—you can revolve your room around a hobby, a color, or a personal aesthetic you really like. Choose decor that matches this theme, and helps bring your apartment together.[11]
- For example, you could create a nautical theme with lots of wooden furniture, decorative throw pillows, and striped wallpaper or wall paint.
[Edit]Room Arrangement - Choose furniture that matches your personal aesthetic. Are you a fan of posh, elegant furniture, or do you prefer to break the mold a little bit? Pick out sofas, armchairs, coffee tables, and other pieces of furniture that really mesh with this design scheme.[12]
- If you're a fan of a natural, relaxed style, then you might enjoy a farmhouse-, rustic-, coastal-, or Bohemian-style apartment.
- If you're a fan of bright, fun colors, you might like an eclectic-, maximalist-, contemporary-, or art deco-style space.
- If you'd like something a bit more simple, you might prefer an industrial-, minimalist-, modern-, or transitional-style home.
- Pick up antique pieces of furniture since they fit well in small spaces. Basement apartments come in all shapes and sizes, and might not fit the mold of other living spaces. Stop by thrift shops or other furniture shops and browse for any vintage, antique pieces that could fit well in your home. A lot of old-school pieces are designed to be disassembled and reassembled, which works out well for a smaller basement living space.[13]
- Antique furniture pieces were typically designed for smaller living spaces, which makes them ideal for basement apartments.
- If you aren't a fan of the vintage look, repaint the furniture so it looks a little more fresh and modern.
- Change the perspective of your apartment by displaying things at different heights. Hang up some of your decor at eye-level, but don't stop there! Place some decorations higher up along the wall, as well as closer to the floor. Playing around with height can make your living space feel even more dynamic.[14]
- For instance, you can hang up a shelving unit close to the ceiling, or display a mirror slightly below eye level.
- Section off your space with furniture if it doesn't have separate rooms. Basement apartments don't always offer as much wiggle room when it comes to separated, sectioned-off living space. Arrange your sofas, armchairs, and other comfy furniture into groups near your eating area or bedrooms—this helps your home feel cozy while still creating separate spaces for eating, sleeping, and lounging around.[15]
- For example, your kitchen cabinets and appliances might be against 1 wall of the apartment, while your sofa leans against the opposite wall.
- You might place your bed in 1 corner of the apartment, and arrange your sofa or armchair a few yards or meters away.
[Edit]Accessories - Set up your mirrors in spaces where they'll pick up a lot of light.[16] There may not be a lot of natural light in your home, but mirrors can make the best use of whatever light you have on hand. Hang up mirrors on different walls of your home—they'll bounce the light around your home a bit, which can really brighten up the space.[17]
- Play around with floor-length mirrors, too! These can make your living space feel a lot bigger.
- Feature 1 large piece of art to expand your space. Small artwork can be beautiful, but it's ultimately not a super effective way to make the most of your apartment. Hang up a large print or painting, or pick out a big tapestry to go front and center on your wall. Place this art in a prominent spot where you and your guests can see it, which will help open up the area.[18]
- For instance, you might hang up a huge map or tapestry on the wall, or display a large art print.
- Lots of small decorations end up feeling distracting and don't really add as much to your apartment. Instead, pick out a larger piece of decor that really fits into your personal aesthetic.
- Cover up any ground-level windows with drapes or blinds. Pick out special types of coverings, like privacy blinds or solar shades, which keep your home well-lit without your windows being totally exposed. Look for window coverings that block out sound if you live in a busy area.[19]
- Long drapes can also make your home feel larger, especially if you hang them from the floor to the ceiling.
- Give your air quality a boost with a few houseplants. Basement apartments can get a little stuffy, but there are ways to work around this. Place a few plants around your living space—they'll add a touch of color, and they'll help clean your air up a little bit.[20]
- Some designers recommend plants like the mother-in-law's tongue or the snake plant.
- Add some light with a variety of lamps. Basement lighting isn't always ideal and can leave your home feeling a little secluded and dark. Brighten things up with table lamps, which you can arrange and plug in just about anywhere.[21]
- For example, you can place 2 table lamps on both sides of your couch, or set a lamp next to your bed.
- Lamps at eye-level usually produce the most inviting light.[22]
- Simple decorations can go a long way! Play around with wall decals, or throw pillows with special messages printed on them.[23]
- Don't be discouraged by low ceilings! They can make your home really cozy, like a comfortable retreat.[24]
- Optimize your space with multipurpose furniture, like a pull-out bed or a table with shelving built-in.[25]
[Edit]References |
| How to Use Hair Straighteners on Short Hair Posted: 18 Jan 2021 08:00 AM PST Having short hair doesn't mean you have to wear the same style every day—and all you need is a straightening iron to change up your look! As long as your hair is long enough to tousle, you can easily style a polished, straight 'do that's perfect for any occasion. If your hair is about chin length, you can also use your straightener to create modern, messy curls. The trick is to use a straightener that's no more than wide—any bigger than that and it will be hard to control the style. [Edit]Sleek and Straight - Separate your hair into sections with clips or pins. Starting at the top of your head, pull your hair up so there's just about a thick section left down at the back of the neck. Use hair clips or bobby pins to secure the rest of your hair out of the way. If your hair is very short, you might need to twist small sections before you pin them.[1]
- There's no right or wrong number of sections—you just need to be able to focus on one area at a time. If your hair is a little longer, you might only need to use 2 or 3 clips, but if it's really short or you have a lot of layers, you might need a lot of pins to hold it up.
- When you have short hair, it's hard to get every single piece. By clipping the hair out of the way, it will be easier to straighten hard-to-reach spots that might normally be hidden under the rest of your hair.[2]
- Working in small sections will also make it easier to straighten your hair without burning yourself.
- Spritz the first section with a little hairspray. Hold your favorite hairspray at about arm's length and spray just a little onto the section you left down. Don't saturate your hair with the hairspray—just a light misting is enough.[3]
- It's best to spray each section before you straighten it. If you spray your hair all at once, the hairspray will dry, and it won't be as effective.
- By holding the hairspray at arm's length, you'll get more even coverage and you won't have too much in any one spot.[4]
- Comb the first section to remove any tangles. Use a small, fine-toothed comb and detangle the section near the back of your head from root to tips. If you have any snags or tangles, your hair won't straighten properly.[5]
- In addition, running the straightener over a tangle can knot your hair worse and could even break your hair.
- Hold the ends of a piece of hair. Hold your straightener in one hand, then use the other hand to grab a small piece of hair from the section you left down. Run your fingers down to the end of your hair, then hold it straight out so there's tension along the whole length.[6]
- The added tension will make it easier to clamp the straightener onto the roots of your short hair, and you'll be able to get your hair straighter on a single pass. However, if your hair isn't long enough to hold and straighten at the same time, skip this—you don't want to risk burning your fingers!
- Hold the straightener horizontally and place it close to your roots. Place the top edge of the plates close to your roots. Clamp down, being careful to avoid your fingers at the ends of the hair.[7]
- The smaller your straightener, the easier it will be to get close to your roots.
- Follow the curve of your head with the straightener for a sleek look. After you close the straightener near your roots, let go of your hair and glide the straightener all the way down to the ends. As you do that, turn the straightener so it stays parallel to your head all the way down to the ends. That will help your hair look more naturally straight, rather than the stick-straight look you sometimes get with a straightener.[8]
- If you want your hair to be flipped up at the ends, turn your wrist outward just as you get to the bottom. If you want it flipped under, turn your wrist inward at the ends. Just do this in one smooth motion so you don't get a kink in your hair.
- This is a great way to help tame a cowlick—similar to how you might brush it down while you're blowdrying it.[9] Just concentrate on the roots and keep in mind that you may need to turn up the heat on your straightener or go over the section a couple of times.[10]
- Pull the straightener away from your head to add more volume. If you want a style with lots of volume, hold your hair out as you straighten it, rather than keeping the straightener close to your head. When you're doing the back and sides of your hair, hold the hair so it's parallel to the floor, then lift the hair straight up toward the ceiling when you're straightening at the top of your head. When you're finished, use the straightener to smooth down any pieces that seem out of place.[11]
- To add volume at just the roots, start by holding the section away from your head. As you slide the straightener down the hair, rotate your wrist so the straightener follows the curve of your head.
- Keep misting and straightening small sections until you're finished. Continue straightening pieces of hair from the bottom section that you left down. Then, unpin the section of hair just above the one you just straightened—again, it should be about thick. Mist that with hairspray just like you did the first section, then straighten small pieces.[12]
- Continue doing this as you work your way all the way up to the top of your hair.
- If you'd like, spray your hair with a finishing spray to give it an extra sleek look.
[Edit]Messy Curls - Spray your roots with dry shampoo if your hair doesn't normally hold a curl. If your hair is fine, you might notice that your curls tend to fall out quickly. A quick spray of dry shampoo will add texture to your hair that will help hold the curls in place longer.[13]
- This will also help your curls last longer since it will absorb oils that could make your hair look limp. You can also use this to add hold to freshly-washed hair.
- Section out your hair with pins or clips. Since you'll be working from the bottom up, use a clip to hold up your hair so you can reach the bottom. If you have any smaller pieces that you can't fit into the clip, use bobby pins to hold them out of the way. The bottom section should be about wide, but since this is a messier style, it doesn't have to be perfect.[14]
- If the bottom section of your hair is too short to curl, start with the first section that's at least long.
- Mist the bottom section with hairspray, then comb it through. Hold the hairspray an arm's length away from your head and lightly coat the whole section. Don't saturate it, though—that will make the hair clumpy. Then, comb your hair with a fine-toothed comb to make sure it's tangle-free.[15]
- By holding the can or bottle farther away, you'll get a more even coating of hairspray.
- Grab a piece of hair and hold the ends. Take a piece of hair that's about the width of the straightener and hold it out from your head. Grip the hair firmly at the ends to hold it taut.[16]
- This will make it easier to clamp the straightener onto your hair.
- You can do bigger curls if you want, but for short hair, it's best to stick to smaller sections.
- Clamp the straightener vertically just below the roots. Hold the straightener straight up and down as you place it on your hair. Don't start the curl right at the roots—this will create more of an old-fashioned, formal curl. Instead, start about down from the roots for more of a messy, modern look.[17]
- This is especially important on the top layer of hair, where the extra volume will be more obvious.
- If you hold the straightener horizontally, your hair will just look like it's flipped up or under at the ends.
- Twist the straightener, then slide it down your hair. As soon as you close the straightener on your hair, twist your wrist as far as you can—it doesn't really matter which direction right now. Then, slowly pull the straightener downward all the way to the ends.[18]
- If you want even more relaxed curls, tug firmly on the end of the hair once you release it from the straightener. You can also go back over the ends with the straightener for more of a beachy look.
- Continue curling your hair, alternating directions. Take the next piece of hair and curl it the same way, but this time, twist your wrist in the opposite direction. Do the same thing all the way along that section, changing directions each time. Then, unpin the next section, spray it with hairspray, and do the same thing again. However, when you get to the very front pieces, curl them away from your face for the most flattering look.[19]
- Alternating the direction of the curls will give the look a more lived-in, natural look. Curling your hair all in the same direction will make it look more "done."
- Let the curls cool so they'll set. Once you get finished curling all of your hair, wait about 5-10 minutes. Once they're cool, you can finish styling them—but check the temp with your fingers first.[20]
- If you style the curls while they're still warm, they'll be more likely to fall flat.
- Work a pea-sized amount of pomade through your hair. Take a tiny bit of the styling product and rub it between the tips of your fingers. Then, scrunch it into your hair, being careful not to separate the curls too much.[21]
- This will add texture to your curls, and it will also help give them a little more hold.
- If you're happy with the look of your curls, you don't have to do anything else! If you want a messier look, tousle your hair a little with your fingers as you apply the pomade.[22]
- For even more volume, spray your hair with a little more hairspray, then scrunch.[23]
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Hair clips or bobby pins
- Comb
- Hairspray
- Straightener
- Finishing spray (for straightening)
- Pomade (for curls)
- No matter what style you're doing, it's always a good idea to spritz your hair with a heat protectant before you use your straightener—otherwise, the high temperatures could damage your hair.[24]
[Edit]Warnings - To avoid damaging your hair, keep your hair straightener turned down—if your hair is fine or color-treated, you should set the temperature to around .[25]
- Only straighten your hair when it's perfectly dry to avoid damaging it.[26]
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References |
| How to Make Orange Chicken Posted: 18 Jan 2021 12:00 AM PST Orange chicken is a popular entree at many Chinese restaurants, like Panda Express. If you're not in the mood to leave your home, treat yourself to some homemade orange chicken instead! While the chicken needs to marinate for 2 hours, the actual preparation and cooking process only takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes.[1] [Edit]Ingredients [Edit]Orange Sauce - of water
- of orange juice
- of lemon juice
- of white rice vinegar
- of soy sauce
- 1 tbsp (6 g) of orange peel, raw
- 1 cup (200 g) of brown sugar
- ½ tsp (1 g) of raw ginger root
- ½ tsp (1.64 g) of raw garlic
- 2 tbsp (13 g) of spring onions or scallions
- ¼ tsp (0.45 g) of dried red pepper flakes
- 3 tbsp (22.5 g) of cornstarch
- of water
[Edit]Breading - 2 skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup (120 g) of all-purpose wheat flour, bleached
- ¼ tsp (1.25 g) of salt
- ¼ tsp (0.6 g) of pepper
- of olive oil
Makes 4 servings [Edit]Creating the Orange Sauce - Combine water, citrus juices, soy sauce, and vinegar in a saucepan. Pick out a large saucepan and set it on your stovetop. Pour in of water, of orange juice, of lemon juice, of white rice vinegar, and of soy sauce into the saucepan and stir the ingredients together.[2]
- Heat the mixture over medium-high temperature. Set your stovetop to medium-high heat, so your ingredients can begin to warm up. Keep stirring the ingredients until they form a consistent liquid base.[3]
- Mix the remaining sauce ingredients into the liquid mixture. Stir in 1 tbsp (6 g) of orange peel, along with 1 cup (200 g) of brown sugar, ½ tsp (1 g) of raw ginger root, ½ tsp (1.64 g) of raw garlic, 2 tbsp (13 g) of spring onions, and ¼ tsp (0.45 g) of dried pepper flakes. Continue mixing the dry ingredients into the liquid base until they're fully combined.[4]
- Turn the heat to high and bring the sauce to boil. Adjust your stovetop to high heat and wait for sauce to start bubbling. Once the sauce comes to a boil, turn off the heat and move your saucepan to a cool burner.[5]
- Allow the sauce to cool off for 10 minutes before using it. Give your sauce at least 10 minutes so it can completely cool off. Since you'll be pouring the sauce into a plastic bag, you don't want it to still be hot.[6]
[Edit]Marinating the Meat - Slice the chicken breasts into cubes. Lay out your chicken breasts and cut them up small chunks. When you're enjoying your orange chicken later, you'll want the pieces to be small enough to enjoy within a few bites.[7]
- Always wash your hands before and after handling raw chicken. Additionally, dedicate a specific cutting board for your meat, so the raw juice doesn't spread through your kitchen.[8]
- Arrange the raw chicken pieces in a sealable bag. Slide the chicken into a large, plastic bag, letting the chicken settle along the bottom. Check that the bag is large enough to hold all of your chicken, so you can marinate all of the pieces easily.[9]
- Pour of cooled sauce into the bag. Double-check that the orange sauce is cool, then pour a small amount into the bag. Check that all the pieces of chicken are completely coated with the sauce, so they all taste equally citrusy.[10]
- Don't pour the sauce in until it's completely cooled off.
- Pour out the orange sauce into a separate, reusable container, which you can store in the refrigerator as well. You'll be using the rest of the sauce after you've cooked the chicken.
- Store the sealed bag in the refrigerator for 2 hours. Seal off the top of the bag, making sure that no extra air is caught inside. Slide your chicken into the refrigerator, where it can marinate for 2 hours.[11]
- It may help to set a timer, or make a mental note of when you put the chicken in the refrigerator originally.
[Edit]Breading and Cooking the Chicken - Combine flour, pepper, and salt in a separate sealable plastic bag. Open up a large, resealable plastic bag and pour 1 cup (120 g) of flour into it. Mix in ¼ tsp (1.25 g) of salt and ¼ tsp (0.6 g) of pepper to form the breading that'll go on top of your chicken.[12]
- Since your chicken is marinated, you don't need to worry about creating an egg mixture.
- Place the marinated chicken in the breading bag. Slide the pieces of chicken into the bag. Check that they're all along the bottom, so they'll all be evenly coated with the breading mixture.[13]
- Close and shake the bag until all the pieces are coated. Squeeze any extra out of the bag and seal off the top. Once your bag is super secure, shake it around to spread the flour mixture over the marinated chicken. Continue shaking until the meat is completely covered with the breading.[14]
- Drizzle olive over a heated skillet. Set your stovetop to a medium temperature and pour of olive oil overtop, so the chicken can cook easily. Give the skillet a few moments to heat up, so your chicken can cook evenly.[15]
- Brown the chicken on both sides. Place your marinated chicken pieces on the oiled stovetop. Let each side cook for around 5 minutes, or until it looks browned. Check the inside of the chicken to make sure it's cooked thoroughly before taking it off the sauté skillet.[16]
- Once the chicken is cooked, you can set it on a paper towel-lined plate and then cover it up with a sheet of foil.
- Wipe out the skillet and pour in the remaining orange sauce. Clean out the extra oil with a clean rag or paper towel to soak up any leftover oil. At this point, pour the leftover orange sauce into the cookware. Turn up your stovetop to the highest heat setting and wait for the sauce to reach a boil.[17]
- If you don't feel like wiping out the skillet, you can always use a clean one.
- Mix a little cornstarch and water to finish the sauce. Spoon 3 tbsp (22.5 g) of cornstarch along with of water into the boiling sauce. At this point, lower your stovetop to medium-low heat so the orange sauce stays at a gentle simmer.[18]
- Let the cooked chicken simmer in the sauce for 5 minutes. Transfer the cooked chicken into the sauce so each piece is fully coated. Leave the chicken in the skillet for a few minutes so it can really soak into the orange sauce. At this point, you're ready to serve and enjoy your orange chicken![19]
- Store any leftover chicken in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.[20]
- You can garnish your orange chicken with zested orange peel and a small handful of green onions.[21]
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Saucepan
- Spatula
- Knife
- 2 plastic bags
- Skillet
- Plate
- Paper towels
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
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