How to Decorate a Junk Journal: 10 Easy Page Ideas for Beginners
This is where we move from collecting stuff to actually doing something with the stuff.
How to Decorate a Junk Journal: 10 Easy Page Ideas for Beginners
So you've made your first junk journal.
You've started looking suspiciously at every envelope, receipt and piece of pretty packaging before throwing it away.
Excellent.
My work here is almost done. 😂
But now you've got your journal in front of you and a little pile of paper treasures beside you...
And you're wondering:
What do I actually DO with all of this stuff?
This is where junk journaling gets really fun.
You don't need complicated techniques or fancy supplies to make beautiful, interesting pages.
In fact, some of my favorite junk journal pages start with nothing more than:
paper + scissors + glue.
So today, let's take all those goodies you've collected and turn them into something.
1. Make a Simple Pocket
This may be the easiest junk journal trick ever.
Take a piece of scrapbook paper, an old book page, part of an envelope or even a piece of pretty packaging.
Trim it to the size you want.
Glue along three sides and leave the top open.
That's it.
You made a pocket.
Now tuck a tag, photo, note, receipt or little piece of ephemera inside.
Look at you getting fancy again. 😂
Click the image below for a step by step youtube video.
2. Create a Tuck Spot
A tuck spot is similar to a pocket, but instead of gluing three sides, you might only glue down one side or a corner.
Then you can slide something behind it.
Try using:
A pretty piece of cardstock, part of a greeting card, a book page illustration, a large tag or a piece of packaging.
This is one of my favorite ways to add layers without covering up the entire page.
Click the link below for a step by step junk journal youtube tutorial.
3. Layer Three Pieces of Paper
If you're staring at a blank page and have no idea what to do...
Try my very unofficial:
Three-Piece Rule.
Choose three things.
Maybe:
An old book page.
A scrap of pretty paper.
A ticket stub.
Layer them slightly on top of one another and glue them down.
Done.
You don't need 47 embellishments.
Sometimes three interesting pieces together are enough.
4. Add a Tag
Tags are perfect for junk journals because they can be decorative and useful.
Use a shipping tag you already have or cut your own from cardstock, scrapbook paper, cereal boxes or packaging.
Punch a hole.
Add ribbon or string if you want.
Then decorate it with scraps, stamps, paint or words.
You can even write something on the back.
Slide it into one of those pockets you just learned how to make and suddenly your page looks very impressive.
We won't tell anyone how easy it was. 😂
Click the link below for a simple loaded tag kit.
5. Turn an Envelope Into a Hidden Spot
Don't throw away those envelopes!
Glue an envelope directly onto a page and you've instantly created somewhere to hide:
Photos, journaling, quotes, little notes, receipts, tickets or tiny keepsakes.
And I LOVE that you don't immediately see what's inside.
It makes your journal interactive.
6. Make a Little Flip-Out
Take a piece of paper that's slightly smaller than your journal page.
Attach just one edge to your page with washi tape or adhesive.
Now it flips open.
You can decorate the front and hide journaling, a photo or another little collage underneath.
That one little piece of paper just gave you three creative spaces:
The front.
The back.
And the page underneath.
We are getting our money's worth out of this scrap. 😂
7. Create a Mini Collage
This is where all those tiny scraps come in.
Choose a handful of little pieces and overlap them.
Mix:
Book pages, scrapbook paper, tissue paper, postage stamps, tickets, labels, torn paper, washi tape and little pieces of junk mail.
Don't worry about making everything perfectly straight.
Actually...
Please don't make everything perfectly straight.
Torn edges and wonky little layers are part of the charm.
Click the link below for a simple collage technique that can be its own piece of art or be incorporated into your junk journal.
8. Add Something From Your Actual Day
This might be my favorite one.
Add something ordinary.
Your coffee sleeve.
A receipt.
A grocery list.
A business card from lunch.
A ticket.
A little note someone gave you.
Then write the date and one or two sentences about why you saved it.
Suddenly that random scrap isn't random anymore.
It's part of your story.
And that's really what I love about junk journaling.
9. Add Something You Made
Your junk journal doesn't have to contain only paper you've found.
Add something you created.
Paint a tiny flower.
Doodle.
Stamp something.
Make a little watercolor swatch.
Write a quote in your own handwriting.
Add a piece of painted paper.
This is where your journal starts becoming unmistakably yours.
It doesn't need to be perfect.
Actually, you already know my feelings about that. 😉
10. Leave Some Space
Yep.
This is an actual junk journal idea.
Don't fill everything.
You don't have to cover every square inch of every page.
Leave room to write something later.
Leave a pretty piece of paper alone.
Let the old book page show.
Leave an empty spot for a future photo or memory.
Sometimes knowing when to stop is part of creating too.
And yes, I'm saying this to myself as much as I'm saying it to you. 😂
Try This: The 10-Minute Junk Journal Page
If you're still feeling intimidated, here's what I want you to try.
Set a timer for 10 minutes.
Pick:
One page.
Three scraps.
One thing you've saved.
Scissors.
Glue.
That's it.
Layer your three scraps.
Add your saved item.
Write the date or one sentence.
And stop.
You made a junk journal page.
Don't spend another 20 minutes deciding whether the little pink scrap should move half an inch to the left.
I know how we operate. 😂
Do you need more ideas?
Check out my complete junk journal and paper crafting playlist on Youtube!
My Junk Journal Beginner Series
New to Junk Journaling? Start Here!
Part 1 — How to Make Your First Junk Journal for Beginners
Learn how to gather your papers, choose a cover, create signatures, bind your journal and start decorating.
Part 2 — 25 Things You Can Put in Your Junk Journal
Go on a treasure hunt around your own house and discover all the everyday things you can save.
GEt my FREE 8-Page Beginner Junk Journal Guide
-teresa XO
