| How to Make a Kitchen Look Bigger and Brighter Posted: 12 Jan 2021 04:00 PM PST When it comes to interior design, perception is the name of the game. While you can't magically make your kitchen bigger, you can definitely open and brighten up the space with a few decorative changes. Don't worry—there are plenty of ways to renovate your kitchen without breaking the bank. [Edit]Choose light colors. - Open up your living space by repainting the walls in a lighter color. Dark colors can make your kitchen feel a lot more cramped and crowded. Make your room a little more spacious with a lighter paint color, like off-white, cream, light gray, or light yellow.[1]
- White can be a simple but powerful way to brighten up your kitchen and make it feel a lot bigger. Try adding white to the walls, cabinets, counters, and ceiling to really open up your space.[2]
[Edit]Get brighter bulbs. - Unscrew your bulbs and check the current wattage. Take a peek inside your light fixtures and see if there's a recommended wattage. If the fixture allows it, screw a brighter light bulb in place.[3]
- Warm white light bulbs fall somewhere between 3,000 and 4,000 Kelvin, and offer a cozy lighting option for your kitchen.[4]
- Bright white light bulbs are between 4,000 and 5,000 Kelvin. They're brighter than warm white bulbs, but aren't quite as cozy.
[Edit]Avoid big color contrasts. - Keep your kitchen decor light-colored. Don't mix and match light and dark color schemes in your kitchen. If you're working with a small space, big color contrasts will make your kitchen feel imbalanced and closed-off. Instead, stick to a light color scheme throughout your kitchen, so your room feels a lot more spacious.[5]
- For instance, don't have white kitchen walls with black cabinets. Instead, repaint the cabinets white, or another light color.
[Edit]Use accent lights. - Install lights below your cabinets. Accent lighting adds an extra dimension to your living space, and helps brighten up the central counter space. The extra light cuts out a lot of the lighting contrast, which helps your kitchen feel a bit bigger.[6]
- You can also install lights along the top of your counter to create a similar effect.
- Some under-cabinet lights can be installed with magnetic strips or an adhesive. Other types of lights might need to be screwed into your cabinet, or connected to your wiring system.[7]
[Edit]Get rid of clutter. - Place all of your gadgets and appliances in an assigned place. Extra clutter will definitely make your kitchen feel congested. Thankfully, there's an easy fix—put away all of your tools and supplies as soon you're done using them. The less clutter you have, the more open and expansive your kitchen will look and feel.[8]
- If your kitchen is pretty small, take advantage of creative storage. Hidden storage racks are a great way to store your items without taking up too much space.
[Edit]Pick smaller furniture. - Make the most of your floor space. You can't change the size of your kitchen, but you can change what's in your kitchen. Replace large, clunky tables and other furniture with a small island—this will leave a lot of open floor space, while still giving you a place to get your meals ready.[9]
- You might also like foldable furniture, like a foldable table that you can shrink down when you're not eating.
[Edit]Prioritize natural light. - Take down your curtains or drapes. It may seem a little strange at first, but bare windows can add a lot of light to your kitchen.[10] If you're worried about privacy, hang up a set of sheer curtains that will let plenty of light into the room.[11]
[Edit]Hang up mirrors. - Reflect some extra light into your kitchen with a tasteful mirror. Find some open wall space in your kitchen where a mirror could fit. It doesn't have to be huge—any size mirror will reflect light and add a little life to your kitchen.[12]
- For instance, you might install 2 large mirrors that take up an entire wall of your kitchen.[13]
- You might hang up a small, circular mirror on the wall as a more subtle decoration.[14]
[Edit]Switch to open shelves. - Remove your cabinet doors to open up the space. Closed cabinets can really make your kitchen feel boxed in and cramped. To expand your space a little bit, grab a screwdriver and remove the doors from your cabinets completely.[15]
- If you aren't a fan of open shelving, install glass-front doors on your cabinets instead.
[Edit]Pick out striped wallpaper. - Switch to vertically striped wallpaper so your kitchen looks and feels bigger. Vertical stripes help guide the eye in a vertical direction, which can make your room feel a bit larger.[16]
- If you don't feel like adding new wallpaper, that's totally fine! Long, straight cabinet handles can also create the same effect.
[Edit]Add a white backsplash. - Brighten up your space with a white backsplash. Pick a backsplash made with subway tile or marble, which will reflect a lot of light. Add the white tile above the entire stretch of your countertop, which helps make your room feel a bit brighter.[17]
- If you're on a budget, focus on your backsplash and countertops, rather than your cabinets. It's a good value because those updates will last a lot longer.[18]
[Edit]Play with bold patterns. - Decorate your kitchen with geometric or diagonal patterns. Choose a wallpaper with these types of patterns, or pick out rugs and other furnishings with these designs. Geometric and diagonal patterns draw your eyes in several different directions, which can make your room feel a lot bigger.[19]
- For instance, you might hang up geometric wallpaper, or spread a diagonally-striped rug on the floor.
[Edit]Install reflective surfaces. - Decorate your kitchen with shiny appliances and materials. Add some metallic surfaces to your kitchen, like a stainless steel refrigerator or microwave. You can also add a glass tile backsplash to your kitchen counters, which will reflect a lot of light and brighten up the space.[20]
- Reflected light will make your kitchen feel a lot bigger.
- Don't forget about the hardware! You can make a big impact by updating simply your faucets and drawer pulls.[21]
- If you don't feel like repainting your kitchen, a few colorful accents can really brighten up the space.[22]
- Metal decor is a great way to brighten up your living space.[23]
- If you don't mind spending a little extra money, consider adding pendant lights to your kitchen. These lights dangle down from the ceiling, and can help make your space feel a bit brighter.[24]
- Tall cabinets can help your kitchen feel a little bigger.[25]
[Edit]References |
| How to Do Winged Eyeliner with Eyeshadow Posted: 12 Jan 2021 08:00 AM PST If you love the look of winged eyeliner but are interested in creating a softer, flirtier look, you can absolutely have the best of both worlds. Using eyeshadow instead of eyeliner is the perfect way to make your winged eye look more romantic and gentle while still having the drama and definition. All you need is a favorite color of eyeshadow—black and brown work great, but don't be afraid to branch out to more unique colors—and a thin, angled brow brush. [Edit]Prep Work - Wash away oils and old makeup before doing your makeup. A clean face is important for your foundation, but it's super essential for your eye makeup! When you wash your face, pay attention to your eyelids and the area surrounding your eyes to make sure you rinse away any leftover residue.[1]
- Most people do the rest of their makeup before doing their eye makeup, which is totally fine. Just make sure to start your routine with a clean face.
- Apply eyeshadow primer to keep your winged liner from smudging. Use your fingers, a makeup brush, or a beauty sponge to apply and blend primer over your eyelids and around your eyes. The last thing you want is for your perfectly-applied eye makeup to crease or smudge during the day![2]
- Make sure to get the area outside the corner of your eye where the winged part of your liner will be.
- Set your entire eyelid and the surrounding area with a powder. Apply a light layer of translucent powder with a soft makeup brush. With using both primer and powder, you might worry about your makeup looking cakey, but rest assured that your finished liner is going to look great (and stay in place!).[3]
- Prepping your skin is the best way to create a defined and dramatic look.
- Put on your eyeshadow if you're planning on wearing it. By this, we mean shadow on your eyelids and not the shadow you're going to use to create your winged look. Winged eyeliner looks perfectly fine all on its own, but you can also combine it with a regular eyeshadow style for even more oomph. Wait to put on your mascara until your makeup is all done.[4]
- Start by applying a base color to your lid and then use a slightly darker shade for the crease. This technique adds dimension and makes your eyes pop.[5]
- If you want your brows to stand out, apply a lighter, shimmery shade along your brow bone.[6]
- Check out this great article on how to apply eyeshadow if you're looking for some inspiration.
- Pick a thin, angled brow brush to apply your eyeshadow-liner. With winged eyeliner, it's all about that sharp point and defined edge! Using a thin, angled brush gives you more control over the application and shaping of your winged eyeliner.[7]
- A brush that's too wide, soft, or flexible won't work well for this makeup technique.
- Use matte or shimmery eyeshadow to line your upper lid. Matte shadow works best for a bolder, more defined look, while shimmery eyeshadow will make your winged liner look softer and more delicate. Put a little eyeshadow on your angled brush. Use the sharp edge to gently line your lash line. Create a more "open" eye by stopping about two-thirds of the way across your lid, or go for a more dramatic look by lining the entire thing.[8]
- Some people wait until the end for this step, but it's easier to fix a mistake at the beginning before your wing is in place.
- If your liner tends to smudge near your tear duct, don't bring it fully across your lid. Stop about halfway or two-thirds of the way across.[9]
[Edit]Winging It - Look straight ahead and don't pull your skin to make it tighter. It's easier to apply a winged look if your skin is taut, but that can mess up your edge and make it look strange when it's back to its natural relaxed position. Resist the temptation to pull your skin and instead just relax your face and look straight ahead into the mirror.[10]
- This tip is especially helpful if you have hooded eyelids.
- Draw a slanted line from the outer corner of your eye toward your brow bone. Imagine a line connecting the outer corner of your eye to the end of your eyebrow. Use light pressure as you work so you don't smudge the eyeshadow into your skin, and stop once the tip is as long as you want. Make sure to stop at the same point on either side so your wings look as even as possible. If you have trouble keeping the edge straight (we all do at times!), try one of these hacks:[11]
- Use the bottom edge of a tube of foundation or cream to create a straight line.[12]
- Stick a short piece of tape from your brow bone to the outer corner of your eye. Just keep in mind that this might mess up or smudge your foundation.
- Conversely, some people find it easier to start the winged line out toward the brow line and bring it down to the corner of their eye. In the end, you have to find out which works best for you![13]
- Make a triangle by drawing a second line from the slanted one to your eyelid. Go about three-fourths of the way up the winged line you just made and draw across to about halfway down your eyelid. You can adjust these proportions to make your wing either thinner or thicker, depending on the look you're going for.[14]
- For example, take the line all the way to the inner corner of your eye for a dark, dramatic look.
- If you're nervous about making both sides look even, try lightly tracing the lines with an eyebrow pencil first. You can check that they line up before covering them up with eyeshadow.
- Fill in the triangle you just made with eyeshadow. Add more eyeshadow to your brush if needed. Carefully cover up all the skin in the wing of your eyeliner and add more layers to darken the shading if you want to.[15]
- Try holding the brush closer to the tip for better control.
- Lengthen the wing by dragging it out further with your brow brush. If the length seems good to you, then skip this step. But, if you'd like a little more length for a slightly more dramatic look, it's simple to do! Just be careful that the ends of the two lines blend well.[16]
- The length of your wing is a total matter of preference! Some people prefer a super short wing for just a hint of flair, while others prefer a long, bold look.
[Edit]Final Touches - Clean up the outer edge of your winged eyeliner with your fingernail or Q-tip. Drag your nail right along the edge of your eyeliner, up toward your eyebrow. If you'd rather not touch your face with your hands, a pointed cotton swab works just as well. This essentially sharpens that edge and makes it look super defined.[17]
- If your line looks good to you, there's no need to mess with it!
- Apply highlighter along the edge of the liner if you want it to pop more. If you don't have highlighter, a light-colored eyeshadow will work just as well. Just be careful not to cover up the actual wing accidentally.[18]
- This is entirely optional, but it can give your look just a touch more radiance.
- Curl your lashes and apply mascara to finish your look. If you don't have a lash curler, just skip ahead straight to putting on your mascara. Beautiful, long lashes are the best complement to your winged eyeliner.[19]
- Mascara makes your eyes look more alert.
- Apply a setting spray to lock your look in place. In general, hold the bottle about away from your face, close your eyes, and spritz your entire face. Let it dry completely before getting dressed or heading out for the day.[20]
- Always read the instructions to make sure you're using best practices for your particular product.
- You might want to use hairspray as a kind of DIY setting spray, but you should avoid this. The ingredients in hairspray can irritate your skin and eyes.
- Winged eyeliner is definitely a skilled makeup technique! Don't feel bad if it takes you a while to master it.
- Keep in mind that if you do a winged look with eyeshadow, it probably won't last as long as liquid liner.[21]
- If you made a small mistake, don't panic! Grab a pointed cotton swab and put a little makeup remove on it. Use it to wipe and dab until you're back on track.[22]
- Keep in mind that you can use any color of eyeshadow to make your winged eyeliner. It doesn't have to be brown or black—you can use orange, green, blue, or any other shade that strikes your fancy.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Eyeshadow primer
- Translucent powder
- Makeup brushes
- Eyeshadow
- Angled brow brush
- Eyelash curler
- Mascara
- Setting spray
[Edit]References |
| How to Identify a Golden Retriever Posted: 12 Jan 2021 12:00 AM PST One of the most popular dog breeds, Golden Retrievers are known for their positive temperament and athleticism. They are devoted members of the sporting group[1] and are commonly used for jobs such as guide dogs. This wikiHow will help you recognize key traits to determine whether or not a dog is a Golden Retriever. [Edit]Checking the Body Structure - View the size of the dog. Golden Retrievers are medium-sized dogs. Males are tall, weighing , while females are tall and weigh .[2]
- Check the ears. Golden Retrievers have rather short ears. The front edges are attached behind and just above the eyes.[3] The tips fall close to the dog's cheeks and, if pulled over, should cover the eyes.[4]
- Look at the eyes. A Golden Retriever's eyes are medium large, and they can be either medium or dark brown with dark eye rims.[5] They give the dog an intelligent, friendly expression.
- See the dog's tail. The tail of a Golden Retriever is thick and muscular at the base. It is carried level or moderately curved upward, though never curled or between the legs.[6]
- Inspect the overall body structure. Golden Retrievers have a muscular build with a strong back and straight legs.[7] Their bodies are described as being symmetrical and well balanced, and they have a smooth, free gait.[8]
[Edit]Examining the Coat - Look for a dense, water-repellent coat. Golden Retrievers have firm and resilient outer coats and good undercoats.[9] Their glossy coats can be either straight or wavy.[10]
- See if the coat is a golden shade. Golden Retrievers are named for their golden coats. Their coats are a "rich, lustrous golden of various shades",[11] which can range from a light cream color to a deep reddish gold.
- Identify feathering. Like some other breeds, Golden Retrievers are seen with feathering. Feathering is defined as "longer fringe of hair on ears, legs, tail, or body".[12] This feathering, which appears on a Golden Retriever's legs, tail, neck, and underbody, may be lighter than the rest of the coat.[13]
[Edit]Recognizing Temperament - See how active the dog is. Golden Retrievers have high energy levels and are active and athletic. These retrievers need regular exercise to stay satisfied.[14]
- Notice loyalty. Golden Retrievers can develop deep bonds with their owners.[15] They demonstrate loyalty to those they spend the most time with and may feel anxious when they're alone.
- Pay attention to how entertained the dog is. If they're not occupied, Golden Retrievers can easily become bored. It is important that they have things to do to prevent this.[16]
- Look for a trustworthy personality. Golden Retrievers are reliable dogs. With proper socialization, this trait allows them to make great family pets, and they can be trusted around children with supervision.[17]
- Check for adaptability. Some breeds don't do well with other pets, but Golden Retrievers are typically adaptable. Many Golden Retrievers can live peacefully with other animals, such as cats.[18]
[Edit]Distinguishing Between Retrievers Golden Retrievers are just one of six retrieving breeds.[19] It can be difficult to tell Goldens apart from these other retrievers, but if you familiarize yourself with the differences between them, it can be easier to tell whether or not a dog is a Golden Retriever. - Tell how Golden Retrievers and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers differ. The Chesapeake Bay Retriever, also referred to as a Chessie, is a retrieving breed from the Mid-Atlantic.[20] One noticeable difference between the breeds is that Chessies have wavy fur that is dense, thick, and short.[21] A Chessie's coat is brown, resembling nature to blend in, though one may have minimal white markings on the feet or stomach.[22] They are brave, love water, and are willing to work.
- Recognize the differences between Golden Retrievers and Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers. The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, also called a Toller, is a retriever of unknown breeding origin, but it was bred to hunt ducks.[23] Tollers are smaller than Goldens, being the smallest of the retriever breeds.[24] They have mostly straight, red coats that range from golden red to a deep coppery red, with white markings on the tail tip, feet, chest, or blaze.[25] Tollers are quick, alert, and determined, and they may even have a slightly worried or sad expression when they aren't working.[26]
- Understand how Golden Retrievers and Flat-Coated Retrievers differ. Flat-Coated Retrievers are also called Flat-Coats and were bred in the mid-1800s.[27] They are fairly similar in size to Goldens but have long, flat muzzles.[28] Flat-Coats have straight, flat-lying coats that can be either solid black or solid liver.[29] They are sensible, alert, and cheerful.
- Distinguish between Golden Retrievers and Curly-Coated Retrievers. Curly-Coated Retrievers, or Curlies, are among the oldest of the retrievers.[30] Curlies are larger than Goldens, weighing as much as .[31] They have unique wedge-shaped heads, and, as their name suggests, coats consisting of short, tight curls, which come in solid black and solid liver.[32] Curlies are gentle, affectionate, and more independent than Goldens.
- Spot differences between Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers. The Labrador Retriever, or Lab, is another popular retrieving breed. Labs are roughly the same size as Goldens, though they have a larger scale height- and weight-wise.[33] Labs can be seen in colors other than gold - their coats can be solid yellow, brown, or black.[34] Golden Retrievers are typically calmer than Labs.
- If you wish to identify your dog's breed, consider using a DNA test. This can verify whether or not your dog is a Golden Retriever.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References |
No comments:
Post a Comment