| How to Organize a Living Room Posted: 20 Aug 2020 05:00 PM PDT You probably spend a lot of time in your living room, and it's usually the first place most guests see. You likely want your space to look amazing, and organizing it might help. While it's normal for living rooms to get messy sometimes, you'll be able to keep it clean and tidy more easily if it's organized. Fortunately, organizing your living room is usually a quick and easy process. [Edit]Arranging Your Furniture - Choose a focal point for your room that reflects your personal tastes. Picking a focal point will help you better enjoy your room. Plus, it's easiest to organize your furniture around a focal point, and it also helps you create a more stylish look. To help you pick a focal point, decide how you most often use your living room. Here are some common focal points for a living room:[1]
- Your TV
- A fireplace
- A large piece of art
- A gallery wall
- Position your furniture around your focal point. You should be able to see your focal point from any of your living room seating. Start by placing your sofa where it looks best. Then, add your love seat or additional seating, depending on what you own. Move the items around until you're happy with how they look.[2]
- Let's say your TV is the focal point. You might put your sofa opposite your TV with additional seating on either side of the sofa. Then, place your coffee table in front of the sofa.
- If your fireplace is the focal point, you might arrange your seating on opposite sides of the fireplace with your coffee table in the center.
- If your focal point is a gallery wall, you might place your sofa in front of the wall with additional seating on either side of it.
- Sit on each piece of furniture to make sure you can comfortably see your focal point. If not, adjust the arrangement until you can.
- Lay down any rugs you're incorporating into your decor. An attractive rug can add style to your living room, and it may also provide a comfortable space to play on the floor. Pick a large rug to make your room look bigger. Place the front legs of your sofa and chairs on the rug if possible to bring the look together.[3]
- You might use a large rug to cover most of your living room floor. If your rug is really large, place all of your furniture feet on it.
- Consider using a rug to section off a portion of your room. For instance, you might place a 5 by 7 rug in front of your TV area to visually separate it from the rest of the room. Similarly, you could use a rug to mark off your children's play area.
- Position your coffee table and side tables if you have some. Once you know where your sofa and chairs will go, put your coffee table in the center of the seating area. Then, place your side tables next to your seating area. Walk around the area to make sure you can pass between the furniture pieces.[4]
- If you want to get creative, you might place your tables behind your sofa if the back of your seating faces an open space.
- Designate a place for your children to play if you have any. Your family likely spends a lot of time in the living room together, so you might want to create a special play area for your kids. This could be a special corner or a spot separate from your seating area. Consider placing toy bins near this area so your kids can easily take out and clean up their play items.[5]
- For instance, you might lay a cute rug in a corner and place a woven storage bin near the rug for toys.
- As another option, you might designate the lower shelves of a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf for toys. Place cloth bins on the shelf so your kids can easily store their current favorites there.
- Set up any floor and table lamps you're using for extra lighting. You may not need any lamps in your living room. However, they can really brighten up your space and may add to your style aesthetic. Position floor lamps in corners or near your furniture. If you have any table lamps, put them on your side tables.[6]
- Turn your lamps on to make sure they don't cast an annoying glare on your TV or other surfaces, like a mirror or window. If they do, move them into a different spot.
- Hide your electronics cords if they're visible. While there's no harm in having cords visible, they may be an eyesore for you if they're very noticeable. Conceal the cords behind a large piece of furniture or inside your wall if possible.[7] Otherwise, hide your cords in a decorative basket on the floor or on a shelf. As another option, you could cover them with cloth or twine.[8]
- For instance, you might wrap the cord with a twine if that matches your decor. Similarly, you could cover your cords with fabric that matches your wall color or floor color.
[Edit]Organizing Decorations and Small Items - Purchase any organizational items you need. You may not need to buy any storage items, so don't worry about this if you don't have extra items to store. However, you might want extra storage for things like blankets, books, magazines, and toys. Choose storage items that fit your personal style. Here are some ideas:[9]
- Get stylish baskets or bins for storage on shelves or on the floor.
- Buy an ottoman, bench, or coffee table that has extra storage.
- Install new shelving on the walls.
- Get a bookshelf to store books and display your belongings.
- Place books or photo albums on a shelf. Your living room is a great place to display your books. Additionally, you might like to keep your photo albums handy in case you want to flip through them. Arrange these items on a bookshelf or floating shelf.[10]
- You might line them up tallest to shortest, or you could sort them by color.
- If you only have a handful of books or photo albums, you could stack them instead of lining them up.
- Decorate your shelves with small items like vases, figurines, and photos. Decorative items let you show off your personality and help create a feeling of home. Gather the items you plan to display in your living room. Then, find a great spot for each item.[11]
- You might place a wooden sign on a high shelf on a book case.
- You could put a small figurine or picture frame on top of a stack of books or in front of a shelf full of books.
- Display figurines or knick knacks alone or in groups.
- Place a potted plant, framed art, books, or vase on your tables. You might like to decorate your tables, though this isn't necessary. Choose a centerpiece like a plant or vase for your table. Alternatively, you might keep it simple with a framed print.[12]
- For instance, you might put an ivy in the center of the table.
- You could place a large book on your coffee table or a stack of books on your side table.
- If you keep a stack of books on your side table, you could place a small plant or a small framed print next to them.
- Limit what you put on shelves and tables so they aren't cluttered. Displaying your personal items is a great way to show off your sense of style, but sometimes less is more. If you put out too many decorative items, your space may look disorganized even though you work hard to keep it tidy. Step back after you add each item to make sure the space isn't becoming cluttered.[13]
- Try to leave some empty space around some of your decorative items so your shelves and tables don't look cluttered.
- Use a container or tray to hold items like remotes or phone chargers. You likely have items you want to keep handy, and creating a special spot for these things is both convenient and tidy. Place a small decorative tray on your coffee table or side table for an easy option. You might also hang a remote control holder over the arm of your sofa if you prefer. Keep your remotes and small items you use often, such as phone chargers, in this container.[14]
- If you only have 1 remote control and don't keep other small items in your living room, you may prefer to just put the remote on the table or next to your TV when you aren't using it.
- Store extra blankets in a basket or inside an ottoman. It's fun to snuggle up on the sofa while you're watching TV or reading, so you may keep extra blankets in your living room. If so, place these blankets in your storage containers. Keep the blanket in a basket near your seating area or fold the blanket and store it inside an ottoman if you have one.[15]
- If you use the blanket often, a basket might be your best option. This way you can easily grab the blanket when you need it and stash it away when you don't.
- Place magazines in a storage basket. Magazines are fun to read, but they can easily create unwanted clutter in your living room. Keep your magazines organized using a small basket. Stack the magazines in the basket or line them up, depending on the style of basket you're using. Place the basket near your seating area or under a table.[16]
- You can find baskets made for magazines, but you can use any basket that matches your other decor.
- If you have a coffee table or ottoman with storage inside, you might keep the magazines there instead.
- Put your DVDs in your media stand or in a bin or basket. While streaming services are popular, you might still enjoy collecting your favorite movies and shows on DVD. Like any small item, DVDs can create clutter in your living room. Keep them out of sight by arranging them on a shelf in your media stand if possible. If you don't have a media stand or yours doesn't have storage, put your DVDs in decorative bins or baskets.[17]
- For instance, you might get a decorative leather chest or a cute bench that has internal storage for your DVDs. Place your chest or bench in your seating area, behind your sofa, or under a window.
- You could also use a big basket for your DVDs. You could always cover your DVDs with the extra blankets you keep in the living room if you want them totally out of sight.
- Designate a catch-all bin to collect miscellaneous clutter. If you're like most people, your living room probably collects random items from around your home, which can leave it looking messy. Try not to stress out about your day-to-day clutter. Instead, place a cute storage container in your living room where you can collect these items. If you live with other people, tell your family or housemates to place items that don't belong in the living room in this container.[18]
- For instance, you might keep a large basket by the living room door. Put items like sweaters, books, magazines, and gaming devices in the basket if you find them laying around the living room.
[Edit]Keeping the Room Clean and Organized - Clear off your coffee table every day so it stays organized. Your coffee table will probably collect items every day, like bills, coffee mugs and books. Set aside 10-15 minutes every evening to put these items away. If you prefer, you could always toss them in your collect-all bin. Additionally, place items like your remote back in their designated spot.[19]
- As an example, you might tidy your coffee table every night after you turn off the TV. Alternatively, you could do it as part of your routine before you start getting ready for bed.
- Tidy your entire living room once a week. Chances are, your living room is going to get a little messy throughout the week. Dust will settle, throw pillows will migrate across the room, and items from other areas of your home will find their way to the sofa or side tables. To keep your living room organized, pick a day each week to do a thorough cleaning. Dust, vacuum, and return everything to it's rightful place.[20]
- For example, you might set aside 20-30 minutes every Sunday afternoon to clean the living room.
- Empty your collect-all bin at least once a week. The beauty of a collect-all bin is that it saves you the time and effort of putting items away. Try not to let this bin stress you out throughout the week! Designate a day or time each week to put these items up.[21]
- For instance, you might clear out the basket every Tuesday evening.
- As an alternative, leave the items in the basket until they're claimed by their owner, who is then responsible for putting them up.
- Put items that don't belong in the living room back where they belong. Since your living room likely has multiple functions, you probably find items there that are misplaced from other rooms. Collect these items and return them to their homes before you start organizing your living room. Otherwise, they'll just get in the way.[22]
- For example, you might find kids toys that belong in your children's bedrooms or books that belong to your roommate.
- You might ask all members of your household to come collect their items so you can save time.
- Give away or throw out any items you don't want or need. You likely have items that are just gathering dust or occupying valuable storage space. Go through all of the items in your living room and decide what you want to keep. Donate or gift items that you don't want that are in good condition. Throw out anything that's in bad condition.[23]
- Sort through things like your DVD collection, books, knick-knacks, photos, art, and extra blankets.
- Put on loud, upbeat music while you clean. Keep the TV off, as it tends to break your concentration.
- Purge unwanted items before you buy extra storage containers.
[Edit]Warnings - Try to not get overwhelmed while organizing your living room. Your home is meant to be lived-in, so don't stress if it's not perfectly clean.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References |
| How to Make a Locket Posted: 20 Aug 2020 09:00 AM PDT Making a locket on your own gives it a personal touch, and you can add your own features and designs to make it special. It's possible to make a simple, round locket out of sterling silver sheet metal, but this project is best undertaken by those who are already comfortable with intermediate level jewelry-making techniques, like cutting metal and soldering joints. The process requires a careful touch and attention to detail, so make sure you pay attention each step of the way as you put together your locket. [Edit]Creating the Shell - Cut out 4 sterling silver discs with a disc cutter. Measure out two 1-inch (2.5-cm) diameter discs from 20-gauge (0.8 mm) sterling silver sheet, then cut them out. Cut two more 1-inch (2.5-cm) diameter discs from 26-gauge (0.4 mm) sterling silver sheet.[1]
- Use a divider tool to mark the shape of all four discs into the sheet metal before cutting out the discs.
- If you don't have a disc cutter, you can use a jeweler's saw.
- You don't need to trim or file the discs down right now since you'll be working on them later.
- Punch the 2 thicker discs into a dome using a sapping block. Place the disc in the center of one of the shallow hollows on the block. Position a wooden dapping punch with a low dome on the front end over the disc. Gently tap the back end of the punch with a mallet to bend the metal. Start around the edges of the disc, then gradually move inward toward the center, working in a spiral motion.[2]
- Sapping blocks are small wooden boxes with a hole in the middle used to make metal into dome shapes.
- Make sure that both domes match each other in height before continuing.
- File down the edges of both of the domes. File the edges of both domes using a large, flat file or 220-grit sandpaper. Work in figure-eight motions, applying even pressure the entire time, until the edges are flat and smooth.[3]
- Make sure that both domes have a flat edge, and that both edges line up evenly with one another.
- Remove the centers from the remaining discs. Use your divider tool to mark out a border measuring 1/8 inch (3 mm) from the edge of each of the smaller, flat discs. Use a disc cutter or jeweler's saw to cut the center out of each one, creating 2 bearing plate rings.[4]
- You won't need the centers that you cut out anymore, so you can set them aside for another project or throw them away.
- File the edges of the bearing plates. Use a large, flat file on the outer edges until they're completely smooth. Wrap a piece of 220-grit sandpaper around a sanding cone, then use that on the inner edges until they're smooth as well.[5]
- Make sure that both holes are identical, smooth, and evenly round when finished.
- Solder together the dome and bearing plate. Place the bearing plate solder-side up on a tripod soldering stand fitted with a mesh screen. Center the dome over the bearing plate solder-side (indented-side) down. Set a handheld soldering torch to a large, soft flame. Work the flame around all sides of the metal, making sure that both the top and bottom receive even heating.[6]
- Always wear gloves, a mask, and safety goggles when you solder.
- Check the solder once the metal cools. The bearing plate and dome should be thoroughly fixed together.
- The two soldered pieces will form the two sides of the locket shell.
[Edit]Making the Hinge - Cut 3 hinge knuckles from 0.04 inch (1 mm) tubing. Grab a jeweler's cutting jig and place a tube of sterling silver inside of it. Then, cut off a 1/8 inch (3 mm) section using a jeweler's saw. Make sure each knuckle is 1/8 inch (3 mm) long.[7]
- Check the edges of all 3 hinges before continuing to make sure they lie flush against one another when lined up end-to-end, or else the hinge will not work correctly.
- Create a groove in the case of the locket. Tape the 2 halves of the locket together with masking tape with the bearing plates facing inwards. Press a needle file into the case of the locket and press down to make a 5/16 to 23/64 inch (8 to 9 mm) long groove where the two pieces meet. Then, even it out using a 0.06 inch (1.5 mm) round needle file or diamond core drill.[8]
- Make sure that the hinge groove is just barely wide enough and long enough for your three hinge knuckles, then remove the masking tape.
- Coat the locket case in correction fluid. Dip a paint brush into correction fluid and paint a thin layer onto the locket. Try to only coat the sides that you won't be soldering later on, like the interior and exterior. Let the locket sit and dry for about 30 minutes.[9]
- Correction fluid will protect the silver from the flame of the soldering iron, and it will also prevent the area underneath it from melting.
- You can find correction fluid at most tech supply stores.
- Clamp all of the locket pieces together with binding wire. Close the locket shell securely and then tie a length of binding wire around it. Make sure the knot is tight so that all the pieces stay in place while you solder.[10]
- You can find binding wire at most hardware stores.
- Apply solder flux to all of the metal pieces. Grab another small paint brush and dip it into a pot of solder flux. Brush it onto the entire locket shell and all 3 hinge knuckles to clean the metal off and get it ready for bonding.[11]
- You can find solder flux at most tech supply stores.
- Position the hinge knuckles on top of the hinge groove. Hold the locket shell over a solid soldering pad with the hinge groove facing up. Line up the hinge knuckles along the hinge groove, keeping them straight and level. Finally, thread all three knuckles with a piece of iron binding wire to keep them straight.[12]
- You will probably need someone else's help during this step. Ask your helper to hold the locket shell steady using soldering tongs.
- The wire will also block some of the heat, preventing the inside of the hinge from melding together during the soldering process.
- Solder the hinge in place. Brush the entire locket with a soft flame until the flux dries, creating a white crust. Position medium solder pallions, or metal chips, in between the locket case and knuckles. Then, heat the entire structure again using another large, soft flame from a soldering torch. When the flux dries to a clear state, focus the heat of the flame directly over the top and bottom knuckles from the back of the locket, holding it there until the pieces solder together. Immediately redirect the flame to the front of the locket and the middle knuckle, holding it there until they solder together as well.[13]
- Submerge the locket in a bucket of water. Fill a small bucket full of lukewarm water and plunge the locket into it. Hold the locket underwater for about 10 seconds to cool the metal and stop it from melding together any further. Remove the binding wire to free the locket up.[14]
- The locket may hiss a little bit, but it's fine.
[Edit]Positioning the Pins - Solder a jump ring to the back piece. Separate the locket and set aside the front piece. Mark the top center and file a small groove into it. Place the back piece flat-side down over a solid soldering pad and position a jump ring directly into the groove you just created. Use a low flame from your soldering torch to meld a 1/8 inch (3 mm) jump ring in place, then quench the locket by submerging it in water.[15]
- You'll work on the front piece in just a moment, so don't put it too far out of reach.
- Jump rings are small metal circles that you can find in most jewelry supply stores.
- Drill a hole for the friction-clasp pin. Turn the back piece of the locket over to look at the inner bearing plate. Make a mark in the bearing plate directly opposite the hinge, then use a hand drill to carefully make a hole with a diameter of 0.04 inch (1 mm) through the bearing plate only.[16]
- The hole should be in the middle of the bearing plate.
- Create and insert the friction-clasp pin. Cut a short length of 18-gauge (1-mm) sterling silver wire and fit it into the friction-clasp hole. Carefully trim the wire down to a length of 3/16 inch (5 mm) with flat-nose pliers. Keep the pin straight as you carefully solder it in place with a soft flame, then quench the piece in water and check the strength of the join with your fingernail.[17]
- The bottom of the wire must touch the inside of the dome, or else the locket will be uneven.
- Slide a hinge pin through the knuckles. Hammer one end of the wire so that it flares out slightly, then insert the straight end into the knuckles. Hold both sides of the locket together as you slide the wire to keep them in place. If you need to, pull the wire through the knuckles using pliers.[18]
- Choose wire made from brass, nickel, or 14k white gold. These metals are more durable than silver.
- Set the hinge pin with a hammer. Cut off any excess wire with wire cutters, then hold the flared end of the pin against a bench anvil. Flare the straight end of the hinge pin by gently tapping it with a cross-peen hammer.[19]
- Both ends of the pin should be matching once you're done.
- Drill a hole for the friction clasp pin. Close the locket and mark the point at which the friction clasp pin hits the front bearing plate. Use a 0.04 inch (1 mm) ball bur to indent the marked point. Test the positioning by closing the locket and verifying that the pin fits into the indentation. Finally, use a hand drill to carefully make a 0.035 inch (0.9 mm) hole into the front bearing plate. Only drill through the bearing plate, not through the dome.[20]
- You need to test where the pin closes in the locket before you drill to make sure that it will line up.
- Trim the fraction-clasp pin with a file. Use wire cutters or a file to trim the pin as needed, then use a needle file to round off the top. As you round the top of the pin, file a notch to one side. This notch will allow the pin to fit into the hole with a snap. The trip should lock into the newly created pin hole.[21]
- Polish the locket with a buffing compound and a rag. Dip a rag into a Tripoli buffing compound, then apply it to the outside of the locket in small circles. Polish the surface with silver polish using a different rag to make the locket gleam.[22]
- You can find buffing and polishing compounds at most hardware stores.
[Edit]Warnings - Work carefully when cutting metal, handling sharp tools, and soldering the materials.
- Wear protective gloves, safety goggles, and safety masks when you solder.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - 20-gauge (0.8 mm) sterling silver sheet
- 26-gauge (0.4 mm) sterling silver sheet
- 18-gauge (1 mm) sterling silver wire
- 12-gauge (2.1 mm) sterling silver wire
- 1 mm sterling silver tubing
- 9.5 mm sterling silver tubing
- 18-gauge (1 mm) brass, nickel, or 14k gold wire
- 12-gauge (2.1 mm) brass, nickel, or 14k gold wire
- Divider tool
- Disc cutter
- Jeweler's saw
- Wooden dapping block with punch
- Sandpaper, flat file, rectangular file, and/or triangular file
- Soldering torch
- Tripod soldering stand with mesh
- Copper tongs
- Steel tweezers
- Flux liquid
- Fire-resistant soldering pad
- Tube-cutting jig
- Masking tape
- Needle files
- Correction fluid
- Iron binding wire
- Wire cutters
- Hand drill
- Round bur tool
- Flatnose pliers
- Cross peen hammer
- Bench anvil
- Jump rings
- Tripoli buffing compound
- Silver polish
[Edit]References |
| How to Buy a Wetsuit Posted: 20 Aug 2020 01:00 AM PDT Wearing a wetsuit helps keep you warm while you're swimming or diving, but it can be overwhelming to choose one since there are so many options. While you should always choose the wetsuit that's the most comfortable for you, there are a few guidelines to follow depending on the activity you're doing and the average water temperature. Before you buy a wetsuit, try it on so you can see if it fits your body snugly. [Edit]Picking a Style - Choose a bodysuit if you want the most warmth and protection. Bodysuits are the most common type of wetsuit and have sleeves and legs that extend down to your wrists and ankles. If you get cold easily while you're swimming, a bodysuit might be your best option. Since a bodysuit also covers most of your skin, it can keep you safe from scrapes or abrasions if you brush against something while you're underwater.[1]
- You will typically use a full bodysuit for scuba diving and triathlons, but you can wear them for any activity.
- Some bodysuits also come with hoods to keep your head warm in cold water.
- Wear a shorty if you want something that's easier to put on. Shorties, also known as spring suits, have sleeves and legs that end at your elbows and knees. Since there's less material, it's much easier to pull the suit onto your arms and legs so it has a tight fit.[2] They will also keep your body cool if you're swimming or diving in warm water that's around .[3]
- Your arms and legs will lose heat more quickly, so avoid using a shorty if you normally get cold while you're swimming.
- Avoid wearing a shorty if you're swimming in a triathlon because the water doesn't move as easily over your skin and will make you slower.
- Try a sleeveless wetsuit for a better range of motion. Regular wetsuits can limit your flexibility and make it more difficult for you to move your arms around. Sleeveless wetsuits cut off at the shoulder and work perfectly if you're swimming, surfing, or rafting. However, sleeveless wetsuits don't cover your arms, so you may get colder when you wear them.[4]
- Sleeveless wetsuits are usually cheaper than full bodysuits and shorties.
[Edit]Selecting the Right Thickness - Check the average water temperatures for where you plan on swimming. Search online for the body of water where you plan on swimming and look for a temperature range. You may also ask other swimmers, divers, or local watersports shops to see if they know the average temperatures. Write down the range you find so you don't forget it later on while you're shopping.[5]
- Water temperatures will also get lower as you dive deeper.
- Find the 2 thickness measurements printed on the wetsuit. Look on the sleeve or collar of the wetsuit to find 2 numbers separated by a line or colon. If you're shopping online, look for the numbers listed in the product description. Use the first number to determine the thickness of the suit around the torso and the second number for the arms and legs. Both of your measurements will be in millimeters.[6]
- For example, if your wetsuit says "4:3", then the material is 4 mm thick for the body and 3 mm thick for the arms and legs.
- If your wetsuit only has 1 number printed, then it's the same thickness throughout..
Choose a 3–5 mm wetsuit if water temperatures are .
Pick a wetsuit that's 6 mm or thicker in water below .[7]}}
- Pick a wetsuit with thinner arms and legs for better flexibility. Thicker material restricts your movement, so you may not be able to fully extend or raise your arms. Check the thickness measurement on your wetsuit and make sure the second number is smaller than the first one listed.[8]
- Wetsuits with thinner material work great if you're swimming or surfing.
- Your arms and legs may get slightly colder than your core.
- Choose a wetsuit with the same thickness throughout for more buoyancy. If your legs normally sink in the water while you're swimming, look for a wetsuit where the material has a uniform thickness. The added material around your arms and legs will help them float so your body stays flat on the surface.[9]
- These wetsuits also prevent you from losing heat through your arms and legs.
[Edit]Testing the Wetsuit Fit - Check your height and weight on the brand's sizing chart. Every brand has slightly different sizes and styles, so always consult the sizing chart. Look for the chart on the brand's website or ask an employee at the store where you're shopping. Find your height and weight listed on the chart and find your corresponding size.[10]
- If you can't find a size for your height and weight combination, try contacting the brand directly through email or customer support to get their recommendation.[11]
- Put your feet through the legs of the wetsuit. Sit down when you start putting on your wetsuit so it's easier for you to do. Unzip your wetsuit and put one of your legs inside. Move your leg through the wetsuit until your foot comes out from the end. Pull the wetsuit as high up as you can on your calf so it fits tightly. Then put your other leg in the wetsuit.[12]
- It's okay to wear a standard swimsuit or diving shorts underneath your wetsuit.
- Pull the wetsuit up so it's tight against your groin. Work up from the bottom of the wetsuit so you can grab the most material. Hold onto any loose material that's around your legs and pull it up closer to your groin area. Your wetsuit should fit tightly against your legs, but not so much that it's uncomfortable. Grab the suit around your hips and pull it up as high as you can so there aren't any wrinkles on your legs.[13]
- If your wetsuit isn't tight against your skin, water can pool inside and make you colder and less buoyant.
- Slide your arms into the sleeves. Put your arms in one at a time since it can be difficult to push them through the sleeves. As you slide your hand into the sleeve, pull the wetsuit further up your arm so the material doesn't bunch up around your wrist. Once you get your first arm through the wetsuit, put on the second sleeve.[14]
- You can wear a neoprene shirt or rash guard under your wetsuit for additional warmth. It may also make it easier for you to put on the wetsuit.
- Tug the excess material toward your chest. Look for any bunched-up material on the legs, sleeves, and hips of your wetsuit. Pull on the wetsuit tight against your skin so it lays flat and doesn't have any wrinkles. Keep moving the bunched-up fabric closer to your chest and shoulders so there aren't any air pockets inside the wetsuit.[15]
- If you can't get rid of the air pockets around your arms and legs, then you may need a smaller wetsuit.
- Zip up your wetsuit. Most wetsuits have their zipper in the back, but you may also find them in the front or on the shoulder. Grab the strap on the zipper and pull it up tightly. Press the Velcro seal over the end of the zipper so it creates a water-tight seal and doesn't come undone while you're swimming.[16]
- Ask a helper to zip up your wetsuit if you have trouble reaching the zipper.
- Zipper placement all depends on personal preference, so choose the style that's the most convenient and comfortable for you.
- Move your arms and legs around to ensure you have a full range of motion. Spin your arms in large circles to see if your movement is restricted or not. Then try squatting down as close to the floor as you can while you raise your arms. If you have any trouble moving around or you feel like your breathing is constricted, opt for a larger wetsuit instead.[17]
- Wetsuits do feel slightly looser once they're wet, so try swimming in the suit if you're able to.
- The style of wetsuit you choose depends on personal preference and what feels comfortable for you.
- If you only need a wetsuit for a few days, you can usually rent one at surf or diving shops for a daily rate.
[Edit]Warnings - If you get a wetsuit that's too big, more water can get trapped inside and make you cold.[18]
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References |
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