A bullet journal is a great way to stay organized while nurturing creativity. At first, yours may look pretty simple. Most people start by creating lists and using them as a journal.
Over time, you’ll think of and learn new ways to make it into your own unique aesthetic. If you’re looking for some new ideas on how to decorate your pages, then this blog post will show you 15 ways to make your bullet journal feel like your own.
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15 Ways to Decorate a Bullet Journal
These ideas will help you to think of how your bullet journal can express your personal style. Remember that you make the rules and can adjust any of these ideas to your liking!
1. Add Stickers
Stickers are one of the easiest ways to add some pizzazz to your bullet journal. Instead of buying the pre-packaged stickers at stores, go on Etsy and find some unique designs that will help you come up with new ideas for decorating pages.
You can also make your own stickers by purchasing printable sticker sheets and using your own images or designs.
2. Use Watercolor Paint or Pencils
Watercolor is perfect for a bullet journal because it can apply large amounts of color quickly. It’s also non-toxic, water-based, and dries very fast.
If you feel more comfortable using pencils, get a set of watercolor pencils. These allow for more control and are also more portable. Simply dip the pencil in some water and you can blend the colors.
Once the paint is dry, you can go back in and add more details with colored pencils, crayons, markers, and pens. The layering possibilities are endless!
3. Practice Calligraphy
Calligraphy is the art of writing in a beautiful script. It’s not always easy to get it right, but you can practice with pen and paper until you get your desired results.
A great way to decorate pages is by using calligraphy pens. They come in all different widths so that you can make any size or style of lettering. If you’re a fan of Moleskine journals, check out the best pens to use here.
There are many guides and tutorials online that can get you started with finding the perfect font for your journal. You can even take a pre-existing font, print it out, and practice writing it with a calligraphy pen and ink.
Don’t forget to add some extra swashes, curls, and embellishments for an even more attractive look.
4. Add Photos
Photos are a great way to add some color and can be used in many different ways. You can place them onto your pages or within the journal itself using pocket inserts, sheet protectors, or even plastic sleeves.
You can also create a photo collage on your page. All you need is a printer, some old magazines or catalogs, and photos of people or places that inspire you.
This will turn your journal into a scrapbook of sorts and will help you to remember the good times.
You can also use photos as a background. Just glue them down and color ontop with pens or watercolor paint. This is sure to brighten up any page.
5. Sketch & Doodle
Even if you don’t feel comfortable drawing, taking some time to draw and add doodles to your pages can make a huge difference.
Try adding simple shapes like circles, hearts, squares, triangles, etc. You can also try drawing borders around your text so you don’t have to worry about your illustrations being the center of attention on the page.
There are many methods you can learn that will help you to have more fun drawing and come up with more interesting results. Zentangles are a fun way to practice that can help you learn how to draw different shapes without worrying about the end result.
If you’re a bit more advanced of a drawer, you could also try drawing animals, plants, landscapes, or other objects in your journals using pencils and graphite paper. These simple drawings will make any page more appealing.
6. Create a Key Page
A key page is a great way to create a symbol set for your bullet journal. You can use it to represent certain activities or events that happen throughout the year.
For example, if you have a key page with three symbols on it (a sun for summer, a snowflake for winter, etc.), then every time something related to one of those items occurs during the season, you can draw that symbol onto the page.
You can make your key pages as simple or complex as you’d like. They are a great way to keep track of schedules, holidays, special occasions, and more.
Key Pages are perfect for the planner on the go who wants something that is fun but also functional at the same time.
7. Use Washi Tape
Washi tape is decorative, removable tape that comes in many different colors and patterns. You can use it to decorate your journal or even add some extra flair to the pages inside.
Washi tape has endless uses in a bullet journal. You can use it to journal your daily tasks, mark pages you want to go back to, or even decorate the cover.
You can also cut and adjust washi tape to make images out of it as an alternative to drawing. It’s a great way to create borders, backgrounds, and more.
8. Make Bookmarks or Tabs
It’s nice when you can easily find the page you need in your journal. You can make permanent tabs that divide your planner into segments such as weeks, months, or seasons.
Using washi tape and a ruler, cut out some tabs. Label them if desired and then tape them to the edge of your journal for easy reference.
You can also make bookmarks. Cut long, thin rectangles out of cardstock (or recycled paper) and decorate with washi tape or markers/pens. These are great because they are more flexible than tabs and can be moved around your journal.
Consider writing an inspirational message or adding an image on your bookmark as a way to bring some additional meaning to it.
9. Create a Monthly Overview
For those who want to use their bullet journal in a more structured way, it can be a good idea to include a monthly overview towards the beginning of the journal. This is a place where you can map out all 12 months and take notes of any major events you want to remember.
You can also use the monthly overview as a place for your key pages, which you will then transfer into each month’s individual spread. This is a great way of increasing organization and structure in your bullet journal!
10. Add Colorful & Patterned Paper
You can decorate the pages of your bullet journal using any type of paper you like. This includes patterned and colorful papers as well as graphed, lined, or blank sheets.
There are many ways you can use paper in your journal. You can cut it up and use the pieces as confetti to decorate pages with. You can glue the paper onto other pages to highlight certain sections, or you could even create small pieces of origami that can be inserted as additional decoration.
11. Choose a Color Theme
Some people appreciate having consistency and cohesion in their bullet journals. You can do this by choosing a color theme for the whole journal so that every page has some sort of harmony between them.
You can use washi tape or stickers to decorate pages with your chosen colors, and you can also choose specific pens/markers in the same shade(s). Choose between 2 to 5 colors, and stick with them throughout the journal.
You can also choose one primary color for your journal and use different shades of that same color in your pages.
12. Create A Birthday Page
A birthday page should be celebratory, so this is a great place to get creative. You can draw a shape such as a balloon or a birthday cake for each month on 1 or 2 pages of your journal. Write the names of your friends in each shape or draw their faces on the cake! Don’t forget to include the specific date of their birthday in each box.
13. Set Up a Habit Tracker Page
Habit trackers are a great way to structure your life without needing to take too much time out of your day. It’s also one of the best areas for decorating your bullet journal.
You can track your habits with stickers, with keys, with markers, or with washi tape, just to name a few options.
There are many areas of your life you can track, such as eating habits, working hours, study time, workouts, chores, glasses of water, and many more!
14. Buy a Set of Markers
Markers are a foundational tool when it comes to decorating your bullet journal. You can add so much color and personality by choosing the right ones for you!
There are many different types of marker pens out there, such as alcohol-based highlighters or ballpoint pens with waterproof ink. If possible, test each one before buying a set to see which type works best for you.
You can buy them individually to get the exact colors you plan on using or buy a set so that you have flexibility and options when it comes to your designs.
15. Get Some Stamps & Ink
Stamps are a great way to add personality to your bullet journal. You can find stamps of animals, quotes, patterns, and more! You can even make customized stamps to fit the needs of your own journal.
There are so many types of ink available as well such as metallic inks, dark inks, or colorful highlighters. When using the stamp pad make sure you let it dry before turning the page over; otherwise your pages might get stuck together.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are many ways you can get more creative with your bullet journal. When you’re deciding which decorative techniques are best for you, ask yourself a couple of questions first.
What will I be using this bullet journal for? What colors will I be using most often? What type of pens/markers do I have, and what is my favorite design aesthetic?
These questions will help you decide on how to get started and what supplies will work best for you. But remember, where you start may not be where you end! Bullet journals are meant to foster creativity and curiosity, so you may be surprised by how your journal evolves throughout the year.