| How to Make IKEA Furniture Look Vintage Posted: 15 Aug 2019 05:00 PM PDT IKEA furniture is stylish and inexpensive, but sometimes, nothing beats a piece of upholstery that looks well-worn and well-loved. Because IKEA furniture tends to look modern and inexpensive, it doesn't always have a vintage feel, so your new furniture may not fit your home's aesthetic. By remodeling your furniture to make it look worn, you can match your IKEA furniture to the style of your home. [Edit]Remodeling Glass or Metal Furniture - Spray paint your metal furniture. Hold the paint can several inches away from the object's surface and spray it in sweeping layers. Make the first coat any color of your choice and the second a faux-rusty brown. Once you've reached the desired aged look, let your spray paint dry.[1]
- To make the furniture look even more weathered, sand the furniture's edges down after spray painting it.
- You can purchase spray paint at most craft or home improvement stores.
- Gold spray paint in particular can add an older, regal feel to furniture. You can spray paint the entire piece gold or use it to embellish specific parts of the furniture (like the knobs, siding, or crown molding).[2]
- To spray specific sections of the furniture gold, cover any areas you don't want to paint with kraft paper and masking tape.
- Spread marble contact tape over the top of glass or metal coffee tables. To make coffee tables look older and sturdier, add a layer of marble contact tape over the top. Cut out a sheet of contact paper that's the same size as your coffee table top and remove the adhesive backing. Place the contact tape carefully over the tabletop and smooth it out to get rid of any lines or bubbles.[3]
- Marble contact paper can be purchased online or at many home improvement stores.
- Add felt handles to make furniture look worn. Remove your furniture's current knobs or handles and replace them with felt for a softer, aged feel. Cut a strip of felt to the size of your handle, using the old handle as an approximate guide. Make two holes on either side of the strip and fasten it onto the furniture with nails or screws.[4]
- You could also make leather handles as an alternative if you want to use a sturdier material.
- Make your metal furniture rust. To age your metal furniture quickly, rust it with vinegar, salt, and peroxide. Rust your metal gradually to avoid over-aging your furniture and accidentally damaging its functionality.[5]
- If you decide that you don't like the look of rusty metal, restore it with a chemical rust remover, acidic solution, or electrolysis. These methods can repair the object but may not return it to its original state, so think carefully before you rust your furniture.
[Edit]Renovating Wooden Furniture - Stain your furniture's wood. A stain finish can make your furniture look older and more expensive. Find the right finish for your furniture's wood and either hire a professional or stain it yourself.[6]
- Swap the furniture's wooden legs for more vintage-looking pieces. IKEA furniture tends to have inexpensive and new-looking legs. Purchase higher quality furniture legs online or from an antique store to make your furniture look more expensive.[7]
- Metal or stained wood furniture legs tend to look more aged.
- For an especially vintage touch, swap the legs with legs from antique furniture.
- Dent the furniture yourself with a hammer. For an older and weathered look, take a hammer and make dents or dings into the surface. To add scratches, drag a sharp object like a screw across the surface of the wood.[8]
- Try not to overdo self-aging the furniture. A few tasteful dings and scratches will look much better than overly-damaged furniture.
- If your furniture has a varnish or stain, sand it down first.
- Install brass corners to the edges of wooden furniture. A wooden coffee table or crate can look distinctly more vintage with brass corners. Purchase a set of 4 brass corners and either glue or screw them into your furniture.[9]
- Wrap your wooden chair sides in yarn. A little yarn can make wooden IKEA chairs look softer and well-worn. Wrap the yarn tightly along the sides of the chair's back so the yarn stays snug, then knot the edges to secure it in place.[10]
- Thicker yarn tends to look better and stay in good condition longer.
[Edit]Decorating Fabric Upholstery - Rub your fabric upholstery with sandpaper. Unused sandpaper can wear the weave of the fabric and give it an older, more softened feel. Rub fine-grit sandpaper evenly around the fabric to keep the wear looking natural.[11]
- If you're not sure what specific grit of sandpaper to use, bring your fabric into a craft or home improvement store and ask an employee which sandpaper grit would work best to soften but not damage it.
- Put a slipcover over IKEA chairs or sofas. A slipcover can make inexpensive-looking furniture look older and sophisticated. Purchase a slipcover accessory through IKEA's website or find a similarly-sized slipcover from another retailer and fit it to your furniture for a simple fix.[12]
- Purchase an old slipcover in your furniture's size for an instantly vintage look.
- Age black or white cotton furniture in the sun. Rinse your upholstery fabric with cold water and leave it to dry under direct sunlight for 2-3 days. After several days, white fabric should start yellowing and black fabric should turn grey for an older, faux vintage color.[13]
- Check your weather forecast ahead of time to make sure you'll leave your furniture out in good weather.
- Try tea-dying fabric covers. If your furniture cover is small enough to soak, you can dye it to achieve an aged look. Boil a large pot of water and add 4-6 tea bags to the water. Let the tea steep until the water turns reddish-brown, then immerse your fabric cover into the solution for up to 10 minutes.[14]
- If you would prefer a darker color, you could also dye your fabric with coffee.
- For a shortcut to vintage furniture, you can also buy older IKEA furniture online from previous decades.[15]
[Edit]Warnings - Making modifications to your IKEA furniture can void its warranty. Keep this in mind before you adapt your furniture in any way.
[Edit]References __ |
| How to Prepare for a Weekend Camping Trip Posted: 15 Aug 2019 09:00 AM PDT Get ready for a fun weekend outdoors by preparing for your camping trip strategically. Pick out a campsite for your needs, and try to reserve your spot ahead of time. When packing, plan out things like which meals you'll eat and which outfits to bring that are versatile. Create a checklist to make sure you don't forget anything super important, such as your camping gear and a first-aid kit. [Edit]Choosing the Right Campsite - Choose the ideal campsite for your needs. If you want to completely submerge yourself in nature and be entirely secluded, there are camping spots you can select that will give you this experience. However, if you want to camp but also want access to bathrooms, running water, and electrical outlets, you might search for a campground that advertises these amenities.[1]
- Go online to find out campsite options in places such as your nearest national park.
- Websites of campgrounds should list all of the amenities they have, if any.
- Pick a campsite that has fun activities nearby. Think about which activities you want to do on your trip, such as hiking, fishing, kayaking, or swimming. This will help you narrow down your campsite options, choosing a site that has at least 1 or 2 of your desired activities.[2]
- Make sure you pack the gear for any activities you wish to do, if necessary.
- Check to see if your campsite rents out kayaks, canoes, or fishing gear for campers to use.
- Reserve your camping spot beforehand. This is especially important if you've chosen a campground that's more crowded. Either go online to reserve your spot for a selected date, or call the campground to speak to an employee about your visit.[3]
- Be aware that many campgrounds have a camping fee that ranges from $5-10, to a little under $50.
- Some national parks require permits to camp there, so check with the national park to see what you need to do, if necessary.
- Check the forecast to prepare for any rain or inclement weather. Ideally you'll be camping in sunny or cloudy weather, but it's a good idea to look at the forecast for the weekend before you go. If you know there will be inclement weather, think about which camping location you choose—a campsite on low ground won't keep you as dry as a campsite on higher ground with lots of trees to protect you from the rain.[4]
- If there's a chance of rain, make sure you have clothing that will keep you protected, as well as any tent gear needed for the rain.
[Edit]Planning Your Meals - Decide which meals you'll eat while camping. When choosing meals, you want foods that will travel well and will take minimal effort to cook. Think simple meals like sandwiches, easy breakfast foods, or foil meals you can heat over a campfire. Write down what you'll have for each meal to make sure you don't forget any ingredients.[5]
- Other meal ideas include pancakes, oatmeal, pasta, tacos, and nachos.
- Don't forget to bring s'mores to roast around the campfire!
- Pack bread and peanut butter to make easy peanut butter sandwiches.
- Choose simple snacks that can be eaten on the go. If you're on a hike or out swimming, you won't be able to fix a complete meal. Pack snacks like trail mix, fruit, crackers, or granola bars to eat while you're having fun, or to tide you over until the next meal.[6]
- Bring snacks in your backpack if you go on a hike or away from the campsite.
- Pack a large cooler strategically to keep everything cold. All of your cold items will need to fit in your cooler, so it's important to pack it well. Place lots of cooler packs on the bottom, stacking things that won't break, such as drinks, on top of the cooler packs. Load up the cooler with the most fragile items (like eggs or bread) on the top.[7]
- Keep anything that can melt, such as chocolate for your s'mores, in the cooler too.
- Bring your own water to ensure you don't run out. Even if your campsite has promised to have drinkable water, it's best to bring your own. Bring bottled water you can take with you on hikes or other activities, making sure there's enough water for each person.[8]
- If there's room in your cooler, place your water in there to keep it cold.
[Edit]Packing Essential Items - Use a camping checklist to ensure you don't forget anything. You can find lots of great camping checklists online, telling you everything you should bring to ensure a successful trip. Put things on your list such as a tent, extra tarp, sleeping bags, pillows, blankets, chairs, and flashlights.[9]
- Other items you'll need are extra batteries, sunscreen, insect repellant, and your toiletries.
- Pack toilet paper and hand sanitizer in case there isn't any on the campgrounds.
- Pack any medical supplies that might be needed. A first-aid kit is an important addition to any camping trip, just in case an accident happens. Bring along any allergy medication, needed prescriptions, or pain medicine such as Advil or Tylenol to be prepared.[10]
- Make sure your first-aid kit includes things like bandaids, gauze, antiseptic, and an ice pack.
- Plan your wardrobe so you're dressing in layers. Since you'll be in the outdoors during the day and nighttime, you'll likely experience a range of temperatures. Pack clothing you can take on and off, such as jackets, loose pants, hats, or gloves. Pack shoes that are easy to walk in, such as hiking boots, that will protect your feet.[11]
- Bring a bathing suit if the weather will be warm, or winter coats and scarves if the weather is going to be cold.
- Bring a rain jacket if it's going to rain, as well as extra pairs of socks.
- Bring kitchen tools if you plan on cooking your meals. This includes things like a skillet or pan, cups, utensils, spatula, a lighter, and foil. Think carefully about what you'll need to create each meal you've planned, and bring the necessary kitchen items.[12]
- Bring a sponge to rinse off any dishes so you're not bringing them back dirty, or opt for disposable utensils and dishes.
- Other important items include paper towels, paring knives, storage bags, and roasting sticks for hot dogs or marshmallows.
- Leave the campsite clean when you leave—bring trash bags, if necessary!
- Try to arrive before mid-afternoon to set up your gear before it gets dark.
- Keep your sleeping bags rolled up until you're ready to sleep—this keeps bugs and water out of them.
- Get a paper map of the trails you're using in case your phone or GPS stops working.
- Practice setting up your tent beforehand if it's your first time.
- Create potluck dinner items if friends are joining you on your weekend camping trip. This will help reduce the number of items in everyone's gear.
- Always keep the tent zipped up and your food secured to keep out insects.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References |
| How to Return an Item to Amazon Posted: 15 Aug 2019 01:00 AM PDT It can be a bummer when you get something online and it doesn't meet your expectations. Luckily, Amazon makes returning your items fairly easily. First, you need to process the refund online so that you can get a replacement or your money back. Then, you need to package and ship the item back to finalize the return. If you ordered directly from Amazon and it's within 30 days of delivery, you can usually get a full refund or replacement. If you received the item as a gift or you bought an item through a third party on Amazon, you can still return your item but the process is slightly different. [Edit]Getting a Refund For an Item You Ordered - Log into the Amazon account that you ordered the item with. Find the login details for the account that you purchased the item with and visit https://www.amazon.com. Once there, scroll over "Sign in" on the top right of the screen and click the yellow "Sign in" button. Then, enter your username and password in the fields provided.[1]
- If you forgot your password, click the "Forgot My Password" link to reset it.
- Click "Orders" on the top right of your screen. Click "Orders" on the top right of the home screen to go to all of the recent orders that you've made. This will bring a separate screen that you can use to check the details of your purchases and start the refund process.[2]
- Click "Return or Replace Items" next to the item you want to return. The "Return or Replace Items" button should be to the right of the order that you want to return. Clicking this will bring you to the next page in the return process.[3]
- Explain the reason that you want to return the item. Select the reason for the return in the drop-down menu. The different options include defective items, no longer needed, the wrong size, and other options. Click the option that best suits the situation and then hit the submit button.[4]
- You can also add more details about the return in the text box under the drop down menu but it's not necessary.
- Request a refund or a replacement for the item. If you want your money back for the item, click the refund button. If the item you got was defective and you just want another one, you can click replacement.[5]
- Once the refund is initiated, it typically takes 3-7 business days to show on your account.
- Refunds will be put on the card that you purchased the item with, or you'll receive a credit your Amazon account if the item was a gift.
- Once you initiate a refund, you must return the item within 30 days.
- Choose a return method. In most cases, you can either drop the item off at a UPS, USPS, or DHL location or you can have someone pick up the item from your address. Select the option that is most convenient for you.[6]
- You must re-package the item before you return it.
[Edit]Returning a Gift You Received - Visit the Online Return Center and click the middle button. Go to https://www.amazon.com/returns to go to the Amazon Online Return Center. Here, you can return gifts that were purchased on Amazon. Once the page loads, click on the middle button that says "Return a Gift."[7]
- Create or log into your Amazon account. After you click the "Return a Gift" button a new screen will pop up and prompt you to enter your account details. If you already have an account, enter your details and click "Submit." If you don't have an account, you must create one.[8]
- Click the "Create your Amazon account" button on the bottom of the login screen to create a new account.
- Enter the 17-digit order number if the item was a gift. Once you click the "Return a Gift" button, you'll be prompted to enter a 17-digit order number. This can be found on the bottom left side of the packing slip. Insert the number and hit enter to go to that item's order page.[9]
- The order number will look something like 123-1234567-1234567.
- If you can't find the order number, you can call Amazon customer support and provide details about your package that can help them locate the order number.
- Click the "Return or Replace Items" button. The "Return or Replace Items" button should be to the right of the image of your gift. Clicking this button will bring you to the next page in the return process.[10]
- Select the reason for the return in the drop-down menu. Let Amazon know why you want to return the gift. Reasons could include that the gift is defective, doesn't fit, or isn't what you wanted. You can give additional details of why you're returning it in the text box below the drop-down menu.[11]
- Request a refund or a replacement for the item. Amazon will add a credit equal to the price of the purchase to your account if you want to get a refund. If the item you got was defective and you want another one, click "Replacement."[12]
- Once you initiate a refund, you must return the item within 30 days.
- Choose how you'll return the gift. Once you request the refund or replacement, you'll go to a screen that has different options you can choose to ship back your gift. Usually, you can drop the item off at a UPS, USPS, or DHL or you can have someone pick it up. Choose which method you prefer and read the rest of the instructions provided.[13]
[Edit]Returning Items from Third Party Sellers - Log into the Amazon account that you ordered the item with. Visit https://www.amazon.com and click "Sign in" on the top right of the screen. Login with the username and password you used to purchase the item that you want to return.[14]
- If you bought the wrong item, you can cancel the order within 30 minutes of ordering it.
- Click "Orders" on the right of your screen. Click "Orders" to view all of the recent orders that you've made. Locate the item that you purchased from the third party seller on this list.[15]
- Click the "request refund" button. After you request your refund, you'll be brought to a new page that will prompt you to explain why you're refunding the item. Select the reason that you're returning the item and provide details on why you want to return it.[16]
- After you submit your order, you'll receive an email from Amazon within a week that will tell you whether the request was accepted.
- Follow the shipping instructions provided in the email to send the item back to the seller.
[Edit]Packing and Shipping Your Item Back - Print out the return label. When you're done getting your refund online, you'll be prompted to print out a return label. If you don't have a printer, you can send the label to a person that can print it for you.[17]
- If you didn't print your return label originally, go to "Orders" then click the "Print Packing Slip" button next to the item that you want to return.[18]
- Pack your item into a box securely. Place the item into a box carefully and include any paperwork that originally came with the item. Include packing peanuts or rolled newspaper around the item so that it remains safe in transit.[19]
- Tape the label to the front of the box. Cover the entire label with clear strips of tape so that it stays secured to the box while it's being transported. Amazon includes postage on the label so you don't have to pay any extra to return the item.[20]
- Drop your package off or get it picked up at your address. Depending on what you selected when you returned the item, you can now either drop off the item at the shipping location, or you can leave the package out during a designated time for the UPS driver to pick up. Once you ship your item, your return is complete.[21]
- If you're curious about whether your return was received, you can click "Orders" to check the status of your return.[22]
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