Junk Journal Ideas: 75+ Creative Projects, Pages, Covers and Themes

What Is a Junk Journal?

OK so if you haven’t heard of junk journals yet, you’re in for a treat. A junk journal is basically a handmade book you put together from whatever you’ve got lying around – old book pages, coffee-stained paper, fabric scraps, vintage postcards, napkins, paper bags, you name it. It’s part scrapbook, part art journal, part creative dumping ground, and I mean that in the best possible way.

I started mine because I had a pile of pretty paper scraps that were too small to use in layouts but too pretty to throw away. Tossed them into a little handmade book and suddenly I was hooked. There’s something about the low-pressure, anything-goes vibe that just clicks. You can fill yours with journal entries, collage art, ephemera, travel memories, mixed media experiments – literally whatever makes you happy.

New to all this? Our step-by-step junk journal tutorial walks you through the entire process from binding to decorating. And if you’re still wondering what a junk journal even is, we’ve got you covered there too.

Junk Journal Ideas for Beginners

I know that first blank journal can feel a little intimidating. Trust me, I stared at mine for a solid week before I actually glued anything down. But here’s the thing – you really can’t mess this up. You don’t need fancy skills or expensive supplies. Just start sticking stuff in there and see what happens.

These beginner-friendly ideas need zero special skills – just enthusiasm and a willingness to get your fingers a little sticky.

• Daily life journal – This is hands down the easiest place to start. Just document your everyday stuff – ticket stubs from that movie you saw, a napkin from your favorite coffee shop, quick handwritten notes about your day. No theme pressure, just real life captured on paper.
• Gratitude journal – Each page gets dedicated to something you’re thankful for. Add a little collage, some washi tape borders, maybe a doodle or two. It honestly becomes this beautiful record of all the good things you might’ve forgotten about otherwise.
• Recipe collection – If you’ve got a stack of family recipes on index cards that are falling apart, this is your sign. Print or handwrite them on decorative paper, toss in some food magazine clippings and ingredient labels. My mom’s banana bread recipe looks so much better surrounded by vintage kitchen ephemera than shoved in a drawer.
• Travel journal – Perfect for all those little scraps you bring home from trips. Maps, postcards, boarding passes, restaurant cards, pressed flowers from that garden you wandered through. I always grab extra paper menus and brochures now specifically for this.
• Dream journal – Create dreamy, ethereal pages using watercolors, soft patterned papers, and flowing handwriting. Surprisingly calming and doubles as some pretty cool self-reflection.
• Vision board journal – Turn goal-setting into an actual art project instead of just a list on your phone. Clip magazine images, write affirmations, create themed spreads for different areas of your life.
• Nature journal – Press flowers and leaves right into your pages. Add sketches of plants, birds, or landscapes. Stick to natural-toned papers and earthy embellishments. I bring mine on hikes now and it’s honestly become my favorite creative habit.
• Seasonal journal – Make a new mini journal each season. Spring blossoms, summer adventures, autumn colors, winter coziness. They end up being these little time capsules that are so fun to flip through later.
• Memory keeping journal – Think of it like scrapbooking but way more relaxed and free-form. If you love traditional scrapbook page ideas but sometimes want something less structured, this is the sweet spot.
• Art therapy journal – All about the process, not the product. Splatter paint, tear paper, glue stuff randomly, write whatever comes to mind. I’ve ruined exactly zero of these because that’s literally the point.
• Prayer journal – Add scripture verses on decorative paper, create illustrated prayer lists, and include meaningful images or quotes. The slow, intentional process of creating each page becomes part of the practice.
• Smash book – The laziest junk journal in the best way. Just smash stuff in there – photos, receipts, stickers, notes, random things that caught your eye. No layout, no plan, just creative chaos.

Junk Journal Page Ideas

Once you’ve got your journal started, filling the pages is the addictive part. I’ve organized these by style so you can jump to whatever’s calling to you right now.

Collage and layering pages

• Ephemera pocket pages – Create fold-out pockets from old envelopes or patterned paper to hold loose ephemera, tags, and small keepsakes. Our designers have done some gorgeous versions – check out this accordion envelope mini album for pocket inspiration.
• Vintage book page spreads – Tear pages from old books (thrift store finds work perfectly) and layer them with vintage images, lace, buttons, and aged ink. I like to highlight meaningful words or phrases in the text so they peek through the layers.
• Magazine collage pages – Cut shapes, patterns, and images from magazines to create colorful, eye-catching spreads. Mixing fashion, nature, and food imagery gives you these wild eclectic results that somehow always work.
• Fabric and texture pages – Glue fabric swatches, ribbon, tulle, or burlap directly to your pages. Add some stitching around the edges and suddenly the whole thing feels so handmade and intentional.
• Tag and tuck spot pages – Layer your pages with multiple tags, flaps, and tuck spots that reveal hidden journaling or images when you lift them. People go absolutely nuts for these interactive elements.
• Napkin collage pages – Decorative paper napkins (the pretty ones from craft stores or even restaurants) make incredible collage material. Peel off the top printed layer, brush some gel medium on your page, and smooth it down. The thin paper conforms to everything and creates this gorgeous translucent effect.
• Map page spreads – Use old maps or atlas pages as backgrounds, then layer photos, stamps, and journaling over them. Particularly good for travel journals but they also work great as general backgrounds because who doesn’t love a good map.
• Seed packet and garden catalog pages – Vintage seed packets are some of the most beautiful ephemera you can find. Layer them with pressed flowers, botanical stamps, and handwritten plant names for pages that feel like a cottage garden.

Mixed media and art pages

• Gesso and paint backgrounds – Slap some white gesso on your page, then go in with acrylic paint, watercolor, or ink. This gives you a smooth, colorful base for stamps and stencils. It’s one of my go-to techniques because it makes even plain paper look amazing.
• Stencil art pages – Use stencils with texture paste, spray ink, or paint to add designs that look way more complicated than they actually are. Layer multiple stencils for complex patterns – it’s basically foolproof.
• Stamp and ink pages – Build entire pages using rubber stamps and various ink colors. Combine text stamps, image stamps, and background stamps for these rich, detailed pages that look like they took hours (they didn’t).
• Watercolor wash pages – Create soft, dreamy backgrounds with watercolor washes. Perfect for adding journaling over the top or framing small photos. Even if you’ve never painted before, a simple wash is really hard to mess up.
• Washi tape art pages – Use washi tape as both a decorative and structural element. Create borders, frames, and geometric patterns entirely from tape. I’ve made whole pages with nothing but washi and I’m not even a little bit sorry about it.
• Gel plate monoprints – If you haven’t tried gel printing yet, oh boy. Roll acrylic paint on a gel plate, lay down stencils or leaves, press your paper on top. Every single print comes out different and they make the most amazing journal backgrounds.
• Spray ink splatters – Mist spray inks through stencils or just go freehand for abstract backgrounds. Layer 2-3 colors, let them bleed together. The happy accidents are always the best part.
• Tissue paper layering – Tear (don’t cut!) tissue paper and layer it with gel medium for these gorgeous translucent color-washed pages. Add some stamping on top when it’s dry and chef’s kiss.

Photo and memory pages

• Polaroid-style photo pages – Print photos in small sizes, mount them on white cardstock with a bottom border for journaling, and scatter them across your page like snapshots. This look never gets old.
• Timeline pages – Run a visual timeline down the center of your page and add photos, dates, and notes along it. Great for documenting trips, events, or doing a year-in-review spread.
• Before and after pages – Document transformations like home renovations, garden seasons, or personal growth with paired photos and journaling. The side-by-side format tells such a satisfying story.
• Photo transfer pages – Transfer printed images onto your pages using packing tape or gel medium. The slightly imperfect, vintage look of a transfer is honestly cooler than a regular printed photo.
• Day-in-the-life pages – Pick a random Tuesday and document everything – your morning coffee, your desk, what you ate for lunch, the sunset out your window. These mundane days are the ones you forget first and miss the most.

Interactive and dimensional pages

• Flip-out pages – Attach extra pages with washi tape hinges so they fold out to reveal more content underneath. Double your page real estate and add that element of surprise.
• Shaker pockets – Create clear pockets filled with sequins, beads, glitter, or tiny embellishments that move around when you shake the journal. They’re just so satisfying to play with.
• Waterfall cards – Stack and attach cards so they cascade down when you pull a tab. Each card reveals a photo, quote, or journal entry. Pinterest goes wild for these.
• Envelope pages – Glue envelopes directly into your journal as pages. The flap opens to reveal hidden journaling, photos, or small ephemera collections. Old security envelopes with those cool interior patterns look especially good.
• Accordion fold-outs – Create mini accordion-folded inserts that expand out of your journal. Perfect for panoramic photos, long lists, or telling a story that needs more space than one page.
• Spinner elements – Attach a small circular element with a brad so it spins to reveal different images or messages. More work to make but people literally can’t stop playing with them.

Junk Journal Cover Ideas

Your cover sets the whole vibe for what’s inside, so it’s worth spending a little extra time on it. I’ve made covers ranging from “threw this together in five minutes” to “spent an entire afternoon on this” and honestly they’re all good.

• Kraft paper and twine – Simple, rustic, and timeless. Wrap heavy kraft paper around your journal pages, punch holes along the spine, and bind with twine or jute cord. Stamp a title on there or stick a vintage label on the front.
• Fabric-covered hardcovers – Cover chipboard pieces with cotton fabric, canvas, or linen. Add buttons, lace trim, or embroidered details. These feel so substantial and book-like in your hands.
• Altered book covers – Start with an old hardcover book from a thrift store and alter the cover with paint, paper, stamps, and embellishments. The existing spine gives your journal a professional look without any extra effort.
• Paper bag covers – Layer multiple brown paper bags and fold them into a journal. The built-in pockets at the bottom of each bag create natural tuck spots throughout. So clever and basically free.
• Manila folder journals – File folders make surprisingly sturdy, lightweight covers. Decorate them with patterned paper, stamps, and tags. The tab at the top becomes a natural title space which I think is just genius.
• Vintage postcard covers – Laminate or reinforce oversized vintage postcards as front and back covers. The existing artwork becomes your journal design and you barely have to do anything.
• Decoupage collage covers – Layer torn paper, napkins, tissue paper, and images over your cover using matte medium. Build up multiple layers and seal with a top coat. These have such a cool textured, artsy feel.
• Window or shaker covers – Cut a window in your front cover and back it with clear acetate. Fill the space with sequins, confetti, pressed flowers, or small embellishments that shake around inside. Fair warning: addictively fun to make.
• Cereal box covers – Hear me out. Cut up cereal boxes, cover them with pretty paper, and you’ve got free, sturdy covers. The cardboard is the perfect weight. I keep every box now and my family thinks I’ve lost it.
• Leather or faux leather wraps – Wrap your journal in a piece of leather or faux leather and tie it closed with a cord. Instant boho vibes and they age beautifully over time.

Want even more cover inspiration? Our full junk journal cover ideas guide has step-by-step techniques for fabric, paper, and mixed media covers.

Junk Journal Themes and Inspiration

Picking a theme honestly makes everything easier. Instead of staring at a blank page wondering what to do, you’ve got a direction. It makes choosing materials way less overwhelming because you can just grab stuff that fits your theme and go.

Vintage and nostalgic themes

• Vintage shabby chic – Aged papers, lace, sepia tones, old photographs, vintage advertisements, and antique-style embellishments. Tea-stain your papers for an authentic aged look. This is probably the most popular junk journal aesthetic and for good reason.
• Dark academia – Old book pages, handwritten letters, library cards, antique maps, and rich jewel tones. Think old universities, classic literature, and candlelit libraries. This aesthetic has really taken off and I totally get why.
• Retro/decades theme – Pick a decade – the 50s, 70s, 80s, 90s. Use era-appropriate colors, fonts, and imagery. A 90s-themed journal with Lisa Frank stickers, butterfly clips, and frosted lip gloss ads? Yes please.
• Old Hollywood – Black and white movie stills, gold accents, script fonts, velvet texture. Glamorous and dramatic. Add some red lipstick kisses on tissue paper for the full effect.

Nature and seasonal themes

• Botanical garden – Pressed flowers, leaf prints, seed packets, garden catalog clippings, and natural-toned papers. I did one of these last spring and it’s still one of my favorites to flip through.
• Cottagecore – Gingham patterns, wildflower illustrations, recipe cards, handwritten notes, and soft pastels. All the charm of country living captured in paper form.
• Ocean and coastal – Sand-colored papers, seashell ephemera, nautical maps, watercolor blues and greens. Tuck in some actual sand in a clear pocket if you’re feeling ambitious.
• Forest and woodland – Bark textures, leaf rubbings, mushroom illustrations, earthy browns and mossy greens. The woodland fairy aesthetic is absolutely gorgeous in journal form.
• Seasonal journals – Create themed journals for each season or holiday. Halloween, Christmas, spring gardens, summer beach days – they all make excellent focused themes.

Creative and lifestyle themes

• Color-themed journals – Build an entire journal around a single color palette. Monochromatic journals in all blues, all pinks, or all earth tones create stunning, cohesive results. See our scrapbook ideas for color palette inspiration.
• Music journal – Old sheet music pages, concert ticket stubs, song lyrics, album artwork cutouts. Create playlists as collaged spreads. Such a cool way to document what you were listening to during different seasons of life.
• Book lover’s journal – Reading lists, favorite quotes, book cover printouts, library card pockets. Review each book you read with a dedicated page or spread.
• Coffee or tea journal – Stain your pages with actual coffee or tea, include coffee sleeve art, cafe receipts, tea bag wrappers. The staining gives every page that warm, cozy feel.
• Witchy/mystical – Moon phases, tarot card imagery, dried herbs, dark florals, celestial prints. This theme has exploded in the junk journal community and the results are always stunning.
• Fairy tale – Illustrations from old fairy tale books, castle imagery, whimsical fonts, sparkly embellishments. Perfect for gifts for the kids (or let’s be honest, for yourself).

Explore our full junk journal themes guide for even more seasonal ideas, color palettes, and theme-specific supply lists.

Essential Junk Journal Supplies

Here’s the thing I love most about junk journaling – you can literally start with stuff you already have in your house. Seriously. Go raid your junk drawer, your recycling bin, and that stack of old magazines. That’s your starter kit right there.

Basic supplies to get started

• Paper – Old book pages, scrapbook paper, cardstock, tissue paper, napkins, paper bags, envelopes, maps, sheet music. Literally any paper works.
• Adhesive – Glue stick (my workhorse), double-sided tape, washi tape, gel medium for decoupage
• Cutting tools – Scissors, craft knife, paper trimmer, decorative edge scissors
• Binding supplies – Twine, ribbon, binder rings, stapler, sewing machine or needle and thread
• Writing tools – Fine-tip pens, gel pens, markers, colored pencils. I keep a white gel pen handy at all times because it writes on everything.

Decorative supplies for next-level pages

• Stamps and ink pads – Rubber stamps, clear stamps, and various ink colors. Background stamps are a game-changer.
• Stencils – For adding patterns and designs with ink, paint, or texture paste
• Embellishments – Stickers, die cuts, buttons, charms, sequins, ribbons, lace
• Ephemera – Vintage images, postcards, tickets, tags, labels, playing cards. Check our free junk journal printables for downloadable ephemera.
• Paint and ink – Acrylic paint, watercolors, spray inks, distress inks, gesso

For a complete supply breakdown with product recommendations, check out our junk journal supplies guide. And don’t miss our scrapbook supplies guide – a ton of the same supplies work beautifully for both crafts.

Junk Journal Techniques and Tutorials

Once you’ve got the basics down, these techniques will take your pages to a whole different level. I’m always experimenting with new ones, but these are the ones I come back to over and over.

Surface techniques

• Tea and coffee staining – Brew strong tea or coffee, let it cool a bit, then brush or dip your papers. Instant vintage look that works with pretty much any theme. I keep a jar of cold coffee at my craft desk specifically for this.
• Edge distressing – Use sandpaper, scissors, or a distressing tool to rough up paper edges. Swipe a brown or black ink pad along the edge for a worn, antique appearance. Takes 30 seconds and makes everything look ten times better.
• Heat embossing – Stamp an image with embossing ink, sprinkle with embossing powder, and hit it with a heat gun. You get this raised, glossy design that looks incredibly professional. Check out our heat embossing guide for the full tutorial.
• Gelatos and water – Swipe Gelato sticks on your page and blend with a wet brush or your fingers for instant watercolor-like backgrounds. Way less intimidating than actual watercolors.

Construction techniques

• Hand stitching – Use a needle and embroidery floss to add stitched borders, X-patterns, or decorative elements. The texture and handmade quality this adds is just so, so good.
• Fussy cutting – Carefully cut around images from patterned paper, magazines, or printables. Layer these cut-out elements over backgrounds for a dimensional collage effect. Yes it takes patience, but the results are worth it.
• Pocket and flap construction – Add interactive elements with fold-out flaps, tuck spots, and hidden pockets. These make your journal feel like a little treasure box to explore.
• Coptic binding – An exposed-spine binding technique that lets your journal lay completely flat. Looks complicated but there are tons of tutorials that break it down into simple steps.
• Pamphlet stitch binding – The simplest book binding method – just three holes and some thread. Perfect for mini journals and inserts. You can make one in under five minutes.

Explore our journaling tutorials for more step-by-step guides from our design team, or watch process videos on our YouTube channel. If you’re into art journal techniques, a lot of those carry over beautifully to junk journals too.

Where to Find Junk Journal Supplies and Inspiration

One of the best things about junk journaling is that you’re literally surrounded by supplies. But if you want curated, coordinated materials that take the guesswork out of creating, here are some go-to sources.

• Thrift stores – Old books, vintage postcards, lace doilies, buttons, fabric scraps. I never leave a thrift store empty-handed anymore.
• Your recycling bin – Cereal boxes (covers), wrapping paper scraps, tissue paper from gift bags, old calendars. Free supplies hiding in plain sight.
• Monthly craft kits – Subscription kits like Hip Kit Club deliver coordinated papers, embellishments, and exclusive materials to your door. Everything matches and works together, which is especially nice when you’re just starting out.
• Printable shops – Download and print vintage ephemera, journal cards, and decorative elements. See our free junk journal printables collection.
• Nature – Pressed flowers, leaves, feathers, bark. Let them dry completely before adding to your journal so nothing molds. (Ask me how I learned that one.)

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between a junk journal and a scrapbook?

A scrapbook typically follows a more structured format with specific page sizes, photo layouts, and archival materials. A junk journal is freeform – any paper, any size, any material. Scrapbooks tend to focus on photos and memories, while junk journals can be about anything or nothing at all. I do both and love them for completely different reasons. If you’re curious about the scrapbook side, check out our scrapbook ideas page.

How do I start a junk journal with no supplies?

Grab some printer paper, a few old magazines or junk mail, a glue stick, and scissors. That’s genuinely all you need. Fold the paper in half, staple it along the spine, and start gluing stuff in. You can get fancy later. Our how to make a junk journal guide breaks down the whole process step by step.

What paper is best for junk journals?

There’s no wrong answer here and that’s what I love about it. Mixed weights and textures actually make your journal more interesting. Old book pages, scrapbook paper, cardstock, kraft paper, tissue paper, napkins, coffee-stained printer paper – all of it works. The only thing I’d avoid is super glossy paper because adhesive doesn’t stick to it well.

How many pages should a junk journal have?

Most junk journals have 20-40 pages, but honestly there are no rules. I’ve made tiny ones with 8 pages and chunky ones with 60+. Start smaller than you think – you can always add pages later. A 20-page journal gives you enough room to play without feeling like you have to fill a novel.

Can I sell junk journals?

Absolutely. Handmade junk journals sell really well on Etsy and at craft fairs. Pre-made journals (empty but decorated) and themed journal kits are both popular. Just be careful about copyright if you’re using printed ephemera – stick to vintage public domain images or designs you’ve created or licensed.

What’s the best binding for a junk journal?

For beginners, a simple pamphlet stitch (three holes, one piece of thread) is the easiest. For something sturdier, try a coptic stitch – it looks beautiful with the exposed spine and lets the journal lay flat. Binder rings are the most forgiving option because you can add and remove pages anytime. There’s no single “best” – it depends on how thick your journal is and how you want it to open.

How do I keep my junk journal from getting too bulky?

Every junk journaler deals with this! A few tricks: use thinner papers when you can, trim excess paper from fold-outs, and use flat embellishments instead of dimensional ones on every page. Also, start with fewer pages and accept that some bulk is part of the charm. A fat, overstuffed journal that barely closes is kind of the goal, honestly.

What size should my junk journal be?

The most popular sizes are A5 (5.8 x 8.3 inches) and travelers notebook size (about 4.3 x 8.3 inches). A5 gives you plenty of room to work without being unwieldy. But I’ve made them from A6 all the way up to full letter size. Smaller journals are great for specific themes or gifts, bigger ones are better if you like lots of room for layering. Check out our A6 junk journal layout ideas for small-format inspiration.