If your New Year’s resolution is to get more organized and clear out the clutter in your home, then you came to the right place!

Getting rid of clutter can be very freeing! Find out how to get rid of clutter the easy way. The best way to cut ties with things you have been holding on to is to ask yourself a few of questions about the item in question.

Do I have the space available to keep storing this item? If the answer is no, then toss or donate the item. Space is so valuable and you always seem to need more of it. If you could store other things, which you use on a regular basis, clear out this space and put it to good use. Your closet is a great place to start with this one!

Do I have another item that serves the same or similar purpose? If yes, then you need to consider which item is more practical. Also, consider which item is easier to store and takes up the least amount of space.

Am I holding on to this broken item with intentions to fix it? If yes, then you need to consider if it is worth saving. Ask yourself: “Can I fix this in the next two weeks?”  “Do I currently have the resources to fix it?” if your answer is no to either question then you should let the item go.

Have I used this in the last year? If you have been able to go about your day-to-day life without using this particular thing for a year, then chances are you do not need it. You may want to consider tossing it even if you have only used the item once or twice during the past year.

Have I been keeping this for sentimental reasons? We can become attached to things easily. Just by looking at an item can create a sense of nostalgia and we are leery of losing those feelings forever. Keep smaller sentimental things that can be put into a scrapbook or a small box. Take a photo of other items and create an album of photos of those things instead!

Why am I keeping this item? If you’re keeping something in case the person that gave it to you comes over, let that thought go. If you’re keeping it because you don’t have enough items to make it worth a trip to the donation place, simply find more things to declutter!

Keep this list of questions so you can de-clutter throughout the year. This list will help you keep the important items and cut ties with the rest!

A great step in sticking with your New Year’s resolution is to try to throw away or donate one trash bag worth of items each week. When you do this for a full year, you’ll find that the only things left in your home are things you really love and appreciate.

Many designers use different elements to help create a well-balanced and aesthetically-pleasing space. While the design may seem to be somewhat subjective, these elements can help create some backbone to the science of creating your design. For instance, designers try to incorporate lines, space, forms, light, colors, textures, and patterns. In particular, using patterns in your home is a great way to create a uniform atmosphere. Patterns are used to visually connect non-similar items and allow them to communicate with one another. Repetition can draw attention and add a dramatic effect; however, there is more to patterns than just buying a polka dot throw pillow. To help, here are some great ways to use the element of patterns in your home:

Herringbone

Traditionally, we install flooring all running the same direction. For example, consider plank flooring systems; they may run all vertically down a hallway. However, some hardwood floors, tiles, and vinyl plank flooring choices can be installed in a herringbone pattern. This pattern is when every other board is facing a 90-degree angle from its adjacent board. It can help create a very visually-encapsulating design via your floors. Using a herringbone pattern can elevate the look of any space.

Textiles

Textiles are another area to add patterns. Think of two striped throw pillows lying on a bed. These two throw pillows can complement one another. However, now envision having window treatments with the same striped patterns on them. This now takes two separate areas of the room and allows them to communicate and complement each another. You can go a step further and add a rug to the room with the same stripes to help create a very well-balanced and uniform space.

Curvature of Furniture

With all of that being said, patterns do not need to be just polka dots, stripes, or repetition in geometrical shapes. The curvature of your furniture is another opportunity to create a pattern. If you have very square and boxy furniture, they can complement each other. Likewise, if you put round and curved furniture in a room, you should add more curvature to the design. A room with a circular window, circular table, and curved sectional will visually complement each other.

Artwork

Your artwork can also create patterns in unique ways. While placing a patterned picture on the wall is the easy way to create this, you can go a more advanced route. Consider the image in the picture. Perhaps, you have artwork of a garden. Now, if you add floral print pillows and curtains to your room, your picture will still flow with the pattern.

There are thousands of ways to explore patterns. Think outside the box and do not neglect this powerful tool when creating your home design. What are some of your favorite patterns to use? Let us know below in the comment section.