Need a better view? TikTokers are projecting fake windows onto their walls — here's how
Yahoo Life is committed to finding you the best products at the best prices. We may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Pricing and availability are subject to change.
Sure, after 14 pandemic months and counting, we're all a bit cabin feverish and, frankly, running out of ways to amuse ourselves, right? Well, here's a novel (and potentially serenity-inducing) new option: One of the most popular TikTok trends has people converting a blank wall into a fake window with the help of a digital projector and YouTube. Sound like fun? It is!
It all started with TikTok user @nam__p, who shared a video (below) of a makeshift window back in March. And, well, people noticed: TikTok has exploded with tributes and fun surprises (we even saw one with Olaf from Frozen peeking his cute little snowman head out from the corner). Just search #fakewindowchallenge on TikTok to find more videos.
If you're looking for a fun way to spruce up an empty wall in your home (we recommend a bedroom wall, so you can curl up, all cozy-like, and enjoy the 'view') or are just itching for a novel entertainment option, this TikTok challenge might be just the ticket.
Here's what you'll need: An empty wall (you know, the one you've been staring at), a projector (we like the Apeman LC350 Mini Projector), a streaming device like a Roku Express HD, Fire TV Stick Lite or Google Chromecast and YouTube. Just search 'fake window' on YouTube and you'll find a slew of 10-hour dreamscapes of thunderstorms, city landscapes, even aurora borealis and Hogwarts viewed through your own ersatz portal.
Ready to take the plunge? You can score the Apeman LC350 Mini Projector for just $56 right now with the on-page coupon at Amazon — over 4,400 reviewers gave it a flawless rating.
Don't let that 'mini' in its name fool you: The Apeman digital projector is a big-time overachiever, with 4,500 lumens of brightness and Full HD resolution at 1080p. It can easily and crisply take you off to fantasyland. Then, when you're (sorta) ready to return to real life, you can use the projector to watch your favorite movies and TV shows on a bedroom or living room wall, or outdoors for an alfresco summertime movie night.
If you have Amazon Prime, you’ll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? Don't stress; you can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $25 or more.)
The device can project movies up to 15 feet high on a flat surface, like a wall — or even a ceiling or a big bed sheet. Dual speakers turn out superb audio — though you might want to connect portable speakers for a little more oomph when watching outside. We love that its cooling fan is nearly silent too.
"Fantastic — this projector is amazing. We used it for family movie night," shared a delighted five-star reviewer. "It took about five minutes to set up. My biggest worry was sound, but I was pleased. The sound is great even without a sound bar, but it was easy to add a sound bar to make sound even louder. We had no trouble running YouTube, Amazon, Netflix and other services with a laptop. The picture is sharp and clear."
While this Apeman Mini Digital Projector doesn’t have video streaming built-in, you can bring your own media to the party with its USB-A, VGA and HDMI ports. Use a simple flash drive, connect your laptop or watch with your favorite streaming device. You can even hook up a video game console like Xbox, PlayStation or Nintendo Switch via HDMI for gaming in a (literally) big way with no latency or lag.
"I couldn’t be happier with this projector! Great quality at an amazing price," raved a delighted five-star Amazon reviewer. "It works great connected to a computer, Xbox and even my iPhone. It doesn’t lag and the speaker on the projector is pretty good. I don’t even need to connect it to another speaker while watching a show. It’s very intuitive and the remote makes it easier to work with and figure out. The resolution is amazing; it almost looks like an HDTV."
At just $56 (was $80), this Apeman Mini Digital Projector is great for projecting a fake window on a blank bedroom wall, while it also delivers crystal-clear visuals and brilliant audio for movie night. Oh, and it's pretty too.
"...This projector is sleek," added another five-star reviewer. "The matte white finish looks amazing and really pulls the device together. It has all the ports you could need for a projector...And the fact that this projector has speakers is literally amazing!..."
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
Read More from Yahoo Life:
The Ring Floodlight Cam is like a virtual security guard for your home — and it's massively on sale
Bundle up: Save $100 on this HP laptop and get a free printer (a $70 value!)
Deal alert: These stellar JBL headphones are on sale for $30 — that's 50 percent off!
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day.
Want daily pop culture news delivered to your inbox? Sign up here for Yahoo Entertainment & Life's newsletter.
