| How to Decorate an Apartment for Cheap Posted: 10 Oct 2020 01:00 AM PDT You don't need a ton of money to decorate your apartment in style! There are many creative ways you can save on new decor and some simple tweaks you can make yourself to revamp pieces you already own for little to no cost. Drastically transforming your space without breaking the bank is completely doable. Best of all, it's fun! [Edit]Walls and Windows - Use removable wallpaper or decals to add style to blank walls. Most landlords don't want renters to paint walls or install wallpaper, but that doesn't have to cramp your style. Removable wallpaper and decals are affordable, easy to apply, and won't damage the walls when you remove them. Check out local big box or department stores for cool options.[1]
- For a graphic element, look for artistic decals like flowers, birds, graffiti art, symbols, and even text.
- Cover one of the walls with removable wallpaper in a fun print or a colorful pattern to transform a room.[2]
- Hang or prop up a thrift store mirror to make your space feel bigger. Mirrors help light bounce around the room, creating a larger visual space.[3] The bigger the mirror, the bigger the impact! If you can't put nails in your walls, leaning the mirror against a wall will create the same effect.[4]
- If you don't already have a mirror you can use, check out resale and vintage shops for a low-cost option. Look for something with a cool frame to add even more style.
- Try placing the mirror over a piece of furniture, like an entry console, buffet cabinet, or even a dresser. An oversized floor mirror is also a great addition to a room if you have space.[5]
- Upgrade windows by replacing boring blinds with something stylish. Most new apartments come with plain, white plastic blinds. Switching out the window treatments doesn't have to be costly and the difference it can make is huge. For example, try replacing the blinds with striped Roman shades or flowing statement curtains.[6]
- Hanging your curtains higher up makes your ceilings look higher. Install the curtain rods closer to the ceiling and add flowing drapes that reach the floor for a posh look.[7]
- If your apartment is on the smaller side, use mostly light colors for your walls, curtains, and furniture. That way, your space will feel more open and airy.[8]
- Color-code your bookshelves for a no-cost way to revamp wall space. If you're an avid reader, bookshelves are probably taking up a lot of your wall space. Use that to your advantage by turning your bookshelves into art! Grouping and shelving your books by the color of their spines is a cool way to create style without spending a dime.[9]
- For example, try a rainbow color scheme, create a pattern, or emphasize your favorite colors by putting them front and center.[10]
- Create a statement wall by hanging large-scale thrift store artwork. Check out thrift stores, flea markets, and resale shops for colorful abstract paintings that vibe with your current color scheme. If prints are more your style, look for something large-scale and add a cool frame to take the piece to the next level.[11]
- If you have artist friends, consider going that route instead. That way, you can rep your friends' work and get cool pieces of art for cheap (or even free).
[Edit]Furniture and Floors - Add a few colorful rugs to make a statement without spending a ton. A few new rugs won't set you back much and they can add a lot of color and energy to your space. If you're working with existing décor, choose rugs with colors and patterns that complement it. If your space and décor are pretty neutral, a vibrant rug can be an awesome statement item.[12]
- Area rugs tend to be the most expensive kind, so check out thrift stores and resale shops for those.
- Smaller rugs are usually much cheaper—check out what your local big box and department stores have in stock. You may find some good deals online, too.
- Breathe new life into existing furniture by repainting it. Adding a new coat of paint or finish to an old dresser, coffee table, desk, or bookshelf can drastically how they look. Remove all of the hardware, sand the piece down, and wipe off the dust. Then, brush on the new paint or spray paint it any color you want. Add a final coat of polyurethane to make the new paint last.[13]
- For example, paint your boring old desk a vibrant shade of blue-green to match the décor in your bedroom.
- A new coat of stain is also a great option for wood pieces. Apply a dark wood stain to make an old piece look more expensive.
- Try using multi-function furniture pieces to make the most of your space.[14] For instance, you might have a coffee table that doubles as storage.
- Switch out the doorknob and furniture hardware to spruce things up. New doorknobs and furniture hardware can provide a serious style upgrade. You can pick up attractive knob and hardware replacements for pretty cheap at home improvement or big box stores. There are loads of options and styles, so shop around until you find the perfect replacements.[15]
- Remove and replace existing hardware with a simple screwdriver or electric drill.
- Pick up an accent piece at a thrift store to add a unique twist to a room. Thrift stores and flea markets can be treasure troves if you want some unique and affordable furniture. Shop around at your local second-hand shops for funky coffee tables, nightstands, chairs, stools, and whatever else you need.[16]
- Keep in mind that you can repaint a piece and swap out the fixtures to make it even cooler for very little money. Try to look past the dull finish or weird paint and imagine its potential!
[Edit]Lighting and Fixtures - Update your lamp shades to refresh your space on the cheap. Lamp shades tend to collect dust and grime, and older styles can make a space feel dated. The lamp base is the part that costs the most, so keep the bases you have, toss the old shades, and replace them with new shades. This is an easy way to add a pop of color to any room.[17]
- New lamp shades are pretty affordable, but thrift stores and vintage shops may have some pretty unique options.
- Replace the current lighting fixtures with more stylish ones. The overhead lighting fixtures in apartments can be pretty blah or even downright ugly. You can pick up nicer ones at most home improvement stores without spending a ton of cash and they're usually easy to swap out on your own. There are loads of styles available, so think about what vibe you're trying to create before you hit the stores.[18]
- For example, replacing that dull overhead light in your entryway with a hanging crystal fixture can seriously upgrade the space.
- Keep the old fixtures somewhere safe so you can put them back whenever you move out. Take your cool fixtures with you when you go!
- Update your dated ceiling fans with modern replacements. Most apartments have old ceiling fans or brand-new ones that look super cheap. Swap out those eye-sores for more modern options to quickly and easily give your space some pizzazz. Just remember to keep the original fan so you can reinstall it before you move out.[19]
- New ceiling fixtures can get pricey, but you can find affordable options online and at home improvement, big box, and discount stores.
[Edit]Where to Shop - Head to vintage stores to find affordable decor with personality. Local antique shops and online sources that deal in vintage can be gold mines for unique items with low price tags. Well-worn pieces gel nicely if you're going for a cozy, rustic vibe, but you can always repaint or refinish a piece to match your decor or give it a more modern feel.[20]
- Shop for interesting wall art, unique coffee tables, or cool book shelves at vintage shops.
- If you like to decorate with knick-knacks, vintage shops usually offer an amazing selection.
- Look through local thrift stores for neat stuff at rock-bottom prices. Some vintage stores and items can be pricey, but you can always count on thrift shops for amazing deals. You may need to do a little digging to find hidden gems, so make a day of it and have fun searching through a wealth of odds and ends.[21]
- Be on the lookout for quirky items and fun accessories!
- If you're thinking about buying anything with electrical components, ask a store clerk to direct you to a power outlet so you can make sure it functions properly.
- Wait for department store sales to grab pricey pieces on the cheap. Most department stores, major retailers, and big box stores have at least one annual sale, so ask a store clerk or check the store's website to see when their next big sale is.[22] In the meantime, check out their clearance racks for cool stuff you can take home today.[23]
- Items usually go on clearance once the store's new season of decor comes in. You can find good stuff that people paid full price for just a few months ago.
- Check out discount and overstock stores for cheap designer pieces. Look online and locally for discount stores that carry overstocked items at super low prices. You'll need to do some digging and hunting, but you just might find a high-end or designer piece for a fraction of the original price.[24]
- Shop for multi-use pieces to get even more bang for your buck! For example, a stylish ottoman with storage space on the inside for magazines and books.
- Explore the children's department at major retailers for lower prices. Bigger brands and retailers often have a section with decor for kids' rooms and you can find some pretty cool stuff there! The style and quality won't be a huge step down from the "adult" versions, but the prices are usually much lower.[25]
- Look for items like lamps, throw pillows, and area rugs that fit your apartment's aesthetic.
- Don't forget about hand-me-downs! If a family member offers you a free piece of furniture or decor, consider taking it. Try to imagine what the piece would look like with a fresh coat of paint and some stylish new hardware.
[Edit]References |
| How to Make a Brochure Using Google Docs Posted: 09 Oct 2020 05:00 PM PDT This wikiHow teaches you how to create and print a brochure in Google Docs. The most common brochure type is a tri-fold brochure, which may also be known as a pamphlet. Although Google Docs doesn't have a tri-fold brochure template, it's pretty easy to create your own. If you're not concerned with the format and just want to make a simple two-page brochure, you can use one of Google Doc's free business brochure templates. [Edit]Tri-Fold Brochure - Go to https://docs.google.com in your browser. If you're not already signed into Google Docs, follow the on-screen instructions to sign in now with your Google Account.
- Before you get started, decide what you want your tri-fold brochure to look like. Brochures come in many shapes and sizes. Think about how many pages you want your brochure to have and the size of each page.
- Click to create a blank document. It's the large rainbow plus sign in the top-left area of the page.
- To name the file, click the "Untitled Document" textbox in the upper-left corner of the window, then enter a type in a title for your brochure.
- Click the menu and select . This is where you can set up the dimensions of the file.
- Click the radio button next to "Landscape." This changes the page orientation of the document to landscape so you can fold the brochure properly.
- Set the margins as "0.25" and click . The margins are on the right side of the window. This gives you more space for images and text.
- Create a three-column table. You'll need to create three columns on both sides of the page so you can fold it into thirds. To do this:
- Click the Insert menu at the top of Docs.
- Select the Table menu.
- Drag your mouse so only the top three squares are highlighted. Each of the squares will represent a column in your brochure.
- When you see the new table, press the Enter or Return key repeatedly to extend the columns to the bottom of the second page. Since you're making a tri-fold brochure, you'll want your columns to line up on both sides of the sheet. The idea is that you'll see three vertical columns on both sides of the page (you can hide the actual lines later). Although you haven't added data yet, this gives you some visual table lines to work with.
- Familiarize yourself with the tri-fold layout. You should now have 2 pages with three columns each. Since you'll be folding the brochure along the lines, the layout will look like this:
- Page 1 (the "outside" page): Inside flap (this part folds in) | Back Cover | Front Cover
- Page 2 (the "inside" page): Other side of inside flap | Inside of Back Cover | Inside of Front Cover
- It might be more helpful to visualize if you take a sheet of paper, draw column markers, and then fold it in this order:
- Fold the left panel down (behind the cover).
- Fold the right panel (the cover) behind so it covers the other panels (the back cover will now be at the top).
- Flip the folded brochure over so the cover page is on top (and opens like a book).
- Design the front cover. The front cover of the tri-fold brochure will be the rightmost column on the first page (column 3).[1] The design of your cover is up to you, but here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Type your desired title at the top (or anywhere, really) of column 3. Just click the mouse cursor in the column and start typing. To stylize the text, highlight what you've typed and use the text style menus and buttons that run along the top of the document.
- For example, you can select a style by clicking the menu that says Normal text and choosing an option. You can also change the font face, size, weight, and even color.
- It's common to center the title. To do so, highlight it and click the button of 4 centered lines in the toolbar.
- A strong cover image is important to illustrate the purpose of the brochure, as well as draw the interest of readers. To add an image, click the desired location, click the Insert menu, select Image, navigate to the image's location, select it, and then click Open.
- Drag the blue anchors around the image's edges to reside if it desired.
- Design the back cover. This is the center panel of page one, so it's directly to the left of the front cover. Brochure back panels often include contact information, credits, and closing statements. Occasionally back panels are even designed as mailing panels so you can mail it without an envelope.
- It's a good idea to make the back panel as vibrant as the front so it draws attention to matter where the brochure is placed.
- Create the first inside panel. Now that you're done with the two covers, it's time to add the rest of the content. Page 1 of the brochure will be inside the front cover, which is the third column on the second page. Since this is usually where you'll introduce the product or service, it'll probably be a little more text-heavy than the front or back covers.
- When you open a tri-fold brochure, you'll see a flap on the right side that can be opened up. That flap, which is the leftmost column of Page 1, should contain stand-alone information, such as an ad, or special offer.
- Add content to the rest of your brochure. Since you've introduced the product or service in the first column of page 2, you can continue adding content to the remaining pages. Since you already know how to add text and photos, check out these tips for more in-depth text formatting:
- If you add images, you'll want to make them work with the text by setting up wrapping. Click the image after inserting it, and then click one of the three wrap icons below it.
- Inline (icon 1) means the image will be added as part of the text, causing the image to shift when text is added or deleted. This is not recommended as it can cause formatting issues in the case of a brochure.
- Wrap text (icon 2) allows text to flow around and to the side of an image. This is a good option for the inside of a brochure when you have small images amongst paragraph text.
- Break text (icon 3) means the text will stop above and continue below the image. This is a good option for tri-fold brochures as the columns are small and don't have a lot of space for text to go around the image.
- Hide the table outline to see the final product. Now that you've designed your brochure, you can get rid of those black guidelines. Here's how:
- Click any blank area inside any column to select the table.
- Right-click any blank area inside the table and select Table properties.
- Change the default line size (1pt) to 0pt.
- Click OK.
- Print the brochure on a duplex printer. Since the inside and outside pages of the brochure technically span two separate pages, you'll need to print both pages together double-sided. Here's how to this in Google Docs:
- Click the File menu and select Print.
- Select your printer from the "Destination" menu.
- Select how many copies to print (start with one just to make sure you like what you see).
- Expand the More settings menu.
- In the "Two-sided" section, check the box next to "Print on both sides," and then select Flip on short edge from the drop-down menu. This is because the file is in landscape mode—flipping on the long side would make the inside print upside-down.[2]
[Edit]Two Page Brochure - Go to https://docs.google.com in your browser. If you're not already signed into Google Docs, follow the on-screen instructions to sign in now with your Google Account.
- Although Google Docs has a brochure template, it's not the typical tri-fold style you may be expecting. Still, it'll work in a pinch when you need to get people the information they need.
- Click . It's in the top-right side of the Google Docs page. This expands a set of pre-made templates you can use to create documents.
- Click a brochure template in the "Work" section. There are two brochure templates in the "Work" section—one called "Modern Writer" (a travel-oriented template) and another called "Geometric" (a basic product template). Click the template that best suits your needs.
- Replace the placeholder text with your own text. You'll notice all the text in the brochure is generic, like "Your Company" and "Product Brochure." The blocks of text of placeholder text beginning with "Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet". Triple-click some placeholder text to highlight it, and then start typing your own content.
- Replace an image. Brochure templates come with images pre-inserted, but you can easily replace them with images of your own without messing up the format. Here's how:
- Click the image to select it.
- Right-click the image.
- Select Replace image.
- Click Upload from computer (or select another location, like Google Drive or Google Photos).
- Select the replacement image and click Open.
- Change the image size if needed. With the image still select, click and drag the blue squares on the corners of the image to resize the image.
- If you upload an image that is smaller than needed, making it bigger may cause it to look pixilated and fuzzy.
- Reformat your text if needed. If you want to make text bigger or smaller, use a different font, or use a different color, you can apply your preferred changes by highlighting the text that you want to change and then clicking an option in the menu bar at the top of the page.
- For example, you can make the text bold by highlighting it and then clicking B at the top of the page. Or you can use the "Font" drop-down menu to change the font.
- Print the brochure. Use the following steps to print the brochure:
- Click File in the upper-right corner of the menu bar.
- Click Print.
[Edit]Sample Brochure - Google Docs automatically saves your work every few minutes. Don't worry about having to save your work.
- Brochures are most easily created when all the files that you need for the brochure are in the same place. Consider copying all the photos and documents that you want to use for your brochure onto your computer's desktop to streamline the process.
- You can also create a brochure in Microsoft Word if you'd prefer not to use Google Docs.
- Not all printers support double-sided printing, which is what you'll need to create a folded brochure. Make sure that you have access to a printer that can print on both sides of a sheet before attempting to print your brochure. You can also take a document to a print shop.
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Remove Permanent Hair Dye from Carpets Posted: 09 Oct 2020 09:00 AM PDT The new hair color you picked is beautiful, but that spot on the carpet where it dripped? Not so much. Permanent hair dye is relatively easy to remove from carpet if you act quickly. But even if you don't notice a spot until after it's already set in, you can still get it up and have your carpet looking like new — it just might take a little more effort. While you might be able to buy a commercial carpet cleaner that removes hair dye, you can easily make a solution yourself with a few basic household ingredients. [Edit]Fresh Spills - Soak up as much liquid as possible with a clean cloth. Before you start cleaning the spill, press on it with a cloth to dry it out as much as possible. Fold the cloth over and press again until there is no visible liquid on the carpet.[1]
- Don't rub on the dye or scrub it — you'll cause it to spread and become more deeply absorbed in the carpet, which will make it harder to get out. You also risk damaging the carpet fibers.
- Mix dishwashing liquid, white vinegar, and water in a shallow bowl. Use the formula of of dishwashing liquid and of white vinegar to of water to make your cleaning solution. Just stir the ingredients around a little to mix it together.[2]
- The basic formula should provide enough cleaning solution for you to clean the spot. If you have a larger spill, though, you might want to mix more.
- Dip a clean, white cloth in the solution and dab it repeatedly on the spot. Get your cloth damp, then press it on the dye spot. Lift, then press again. Continue dipping your cloth into the solution and pressing it back onto the spot, watching the dye come up from the carpet onto the cloth.[3]
- Using a white cloth means you don't have to worry about any color from the cloth transferring to your carpet. It also makes it easier to see the dye you're pulling up.
- Be careful not to rub the mixture into the carpet — you can damage the carpet fibers or cause the dye to become more deeply embedded in the carpet, which will make it more difficult to remove.
- Rinse the affected area with cool water. When you can't see any more dye in the carpet, pour a little water over the spot to rinse out the solution. Then, continue blotting with your cloth or with a dry sponge.[4]
- You might need to pour more water to rinse again — this is up to you. If you still smell vinegar in the carpet, it's a good idea to rinse it again.
- Dry the carpet with cool air or a sponge. Blot up the excess water. From there, you can usually just let the carpet air dry — it shouldn't take very long. If the spot was in a high-traffic area and you want it to dry faster, you might press it with a dry sponge to soak up more of the moisture.[5]
- You can also set up a fan to blow on the damp carpet.
[Edit]Deep-Set Stains - Soak the stain in a dishwashing detergent and vinegar solution. In a shallow bowl, mix of dishwashing liquid and of white vinegar with of water. Soak a cloth or sponge in the solution and squeeze it over the stain to soak the carpet.[6]
- You could also pour the solution over the stain slowly to flood the area. This might work better if the stain is larger.
- Dab at the stain with a clean, white cloth every 5 minutes for a half-hour. Set a timer for 30 minutes. Every 5 minutes, take your white cloth and dab at the stain. If the area seems to be drying out, you might want to squeeze on a little more cleaning solution.[7]
- Dabbing at the stain helps the cleaning solution soak more deeply into the carpet fibers. Don't scrub, though — you could damage your carpet.
- Rinse the stain with cool water. After your 30 minutes is up, pour cold water on the stain to rinse off the cleaning solution. Use a sponge or clean cloth to soak up the excess water. You might still be able to see the stain, but it should be less noticeable, at least.[8]
- If you can't tell much difference, you might want to do another 30 minutes with the cleaning solution, just to get more of the dye out of the surface.
- Blot remnants of the stain with rubbing alcohol. Use a clean, white cloth or a cotton swab (depending on the size of the stain that's left) to blot rubbing alcohol directly on the stain. Dab at the stain gently until it disappears.[9]
- A deeper-set stain might take a little more work to get rid of, so expect to dab it more than once. If it seems like the rubbing alcohol isn't affecting the stain at all, though, you might have to try another solution to get rid of it.
- Rinse the area with cold water to get rid of the rubbing alcohol. Pour a little water on the area to rinse the rubbing alcohol away. Soak up the excess moisture with a clean, dry cloth or sponge.[10]
- If you were only treating a small area with alcohol on a cotton swab, you might not need to pour water on the area to rinse it. Just squeeze water out of a sponge or cloth.
- Sponge or blot excess moisture from the carpet. Use a dry sponge or dry, white cloth to soak up the excess moisture in the carpet. While the carpet will still be damp after you do this, you can usually just let it air dry.[11]
- Put an electric fan on the floor so that it's blowing on the spot if you want it to dry out faster.
[Edit]Stubborn Spots - Make an ammonia and dishwashing liquid solution in a shallow bowl. Mix of dishwashing liquid and of ammonia in of warm water. You might want to wear a face covering if ammonia fumes bother you.[12]
- Mix this solution in a well-ventilated area to cut down on the fumes.
- Don't mix any other chemicals in this solution, especially bleach — the fumes are toxic.
- Apply the solution to a small area to test if it damages your carpet. Find a small, obscure area of your carpet where no one would notice if it was damaged. Dip a cotton swab in your ammonia solution and apply it to that area. If it singes or destroys the carpet fibers, don't use this solution to try to clean the stain.[13]
- Ammonia is effective at getting out hair dye, but it damages wool. Since you probably don't know if your carpet has any wool in it, use this test to make sure the solution won't damage your carpet. Better safe than sorry!
- Dab the solution all over the stained area. Dip a clean, white cloth in the solution, then dab it over the stubborn stain. Repeat until the stained portion of the carpet is completely covered in the solution. Don't pour the solution on the spot — too much ammonia could ruin your carpet.[14]
- It's a good idea to wear plastic gloves to protect your hands from the ammonia.
- Blot the solution every 5 minutes for at least half an hour. Set a timer and come back every 5 minutes. Dip your cloth in the solution and re-apply it, dabbing at the stain. You should notice the stain start to come up from the carpet. If the stain isn't completely gone after a half an hour, you can keep doing it for longer if it appears to be working.[15]
- Each time you come back to blot the solution, look at the condition of the carpet. If the carpet fibers in the spot look damaged compared to the surrounding carpet, rinse the ammonia out before it gets worse.
- Rinse the carpet with cold water. Pour cold water on the carpet to rinse the ammonia out, immediately soaking it up with a clean, dry cloth. You'll probably need to rinse it several times.[16]
- It can be hard to tell, but keep rinsing until you can't smell any ammonia fumes coming from the carpet.
- Dry the carpet with a fan or dry cloth. Use a dry cloth or a dry sponge to help soak up the excess moisture on the carpet. Even after doing this, leave a fan blowing on the spot for at least an hour, or until the carpet feels completely dry.[17]
- Once the carpet is dry, check its condition. If the stain is gone, congratulations! If the carpet looks bleached-out, you might want to use a fabric pen to fill it back in so it's not as noticeable.
- Use a cotton swab soaked with hydrogen peroxide as a last resort. If you still have some dye on your carpet that won't come out and is pretty obvious, hydrogen peroxide will take care of it. Dip a cotton swab in hydrogen peroxide, then press it into the spot. You might need to do this several times so that the spot is completely saturated.[18]
- Hydrogen peroxide might also take the color out of your carpet, but if you have a white or light beige carpet, that might not be as noticeable as the hair dye stain.
- Rinse hydrogen peroxide out of the carpet after a day. You might have to leave the hydrogen peroxide on the stain for up to 24 hours to make sure you've gotten rid of the stain. When you can no longer see the stain, rinse the area with cool water to get any remaining hydrogen peroxide out of the carpet.[19]
- Since you didn't use a lot of hydrogen peroxide, you likely won't need a lot of water to rinse. Use a dry sponge or cloth to soak up the water after you've rinsed.
- Start cleaning up any dripped or spilled hair dye as soon as possible for the best results.
- If the carpet is discolored or bleached out after you remove the dye, you can recolor it with a fabric pen.
- If the hair dye stain is older and dried, these cleaning solutions might not work. Try a commercial carpet cleaning product or hire a professional carpet cleaner.[20]
[Edit]Warnings - Don't rub or scrub the stain — you'll only make it worse.[21]
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Fresh Spills - Dishwashing liquid
- White vinegar
- Water
- Clean, white cloths
[Edit]Older Stains - Dishwashing liquid
- White vinegar
- Water
- Rubbing alcohol
- Clean, white cloths
[Edit]Stubborn Spots - Dishwashing liquid
- Ammonia
- Water
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Cotton swabs
- Clean, white cloths
[Edit]References |
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