50+ Brilliant Junk Journaling Ideas You’ve Never Thought Of (But Will Want to Try!)

Unlock your creativity and breathe new life into everyday materials with the magic of junk journaling! Whether you're a seasoned journaler or just dipping your toes into this charming craft, junk journaling offers endless possibilities to turn "trash" into treasure. From old ticket stubs to scrap fabric, every bit of your day-to-day life can find a home in these pages, packing it with memories and warmth. Ready to get inspired? Dive into these 50 ideas covering materials and techniques that will spark your imagination and help you craft a journal that's as unique as you are!

Materials

Paper

1. Paper Scraps: Use leftover papers like old book pages, newspaper clippings, scrapbook paper, magazine cutouts, junk mail, packaging or packing material, old maps, sheet music, maps, old planners, and personal diaries or wrapping paper. Different textures and weights make your journal visually appealing and more tactile, deepening the sense of anticipation and adventure.

2. Naturally Dyed Paper: You can create an antique, vintage look by dyeing pages with tea or coffee, giving them an aged appearance. Feeling adventurous? Try the following:

• Tea or Coffee staining: Different types of tea (black, green, hibiscus) can give you a range of warm tones. Strong black tea will create rich browns, while herbal teas like hibiscus can give soft pinks or reds. Coffee: Brew strong coffee, dip your paper in, or use a sponge or brush for more control. Let it dry for a warm, vintage look. Method: Brew your tea/coffee, let it cool slightly, then submerge the paper or brush it on. Lay flat or hang to dry. You can use a hairdryer for quick drying, which creates more interesting textures.
• Beetroot Juice gives a beautiful pinkish-red tone. Peel and boil a couple of beetroots in water. Once cooled, dip or brush the paper. Depending on concentration, it dries into a soft pink or rich purple.
• Turmeric Dye is a bright, bold yellow, just like you would expect. Mix turmeric powder with hot water, stir until dissolved, and then soak or brush your paper. The colour intensity can be controlled by the amount of turmeric you use.
• Red Cabbage gives you a surprising blue or purple hues: Boil red cabbage leaves in water and let the dye cool. Dip the paper or apply with a brush. Adding a bit of vinegar can make the colour lean towards purple, while baking soda will give a blue hue.
• Onion skins will give a golden, yellow, and brown tones, brighter than tea or coffee. Save onion skins (both red and yellow varieties work) and boil them in water for about 30 minutes. Let the paper sit in the dye bath for a natural earthy tint.
• Avocado Pits and Skins will turn into a soft pink to peach tone. Boil the pits and skins of avocados for a lovely pink dye. The longer you simmer, the richer the pink becomes.
• Spinach or Kale will, as you guessed, a light shade of green to olive tones. Boil spinach or kale leaves and strain the liquid. The dye will give the paper a soft green wash.
• Rusty Objects will add an orange-to-brown zing, a natural "antiqued" effect. Place rusty nails or steel wool in a vinegar and water solution and leave them to sit for a few days. Once the mixture turns orange, you can dip your paper into it for an aged, rusty appearance.
• Tips for Natural Dyeing:
• Textures & Patterns: Consider crumpling or fold the paper before dyeing for a marbled or distressed look.
• Layering: Dip papers in different dyes for a layered colour effects and adding depth and complexity. Use tea as a base layer, followed by beetroot or turmeric or whatever you fancy, this can yield some beautiful, unpredictable results.
• Control Saturation: The longer you leave the paper in the dye, the more intense the colour will be.
• Fixative: Use a vinegar or saltwater bath to help set the dye and extend the colour’s life.

Cardboard

3. Envelopes & Packaging: Repurpose envelopes, food packaging, sweet wrappers, file folders or even cardboard as pockets, inserts, or sturdy covers.

4. Consider corrugated cardboard with or without the top layer for added texture. Leave it wavy, or alternatively, press, score, or add colour to the top for added pizza.

5. Repurpose old book cover, spine or inside paper

6. Cut-outs are great: be creative with windows, sills, and surrounds (sashed, French, modern, with or without curtains or louvred or plain shutters), doors (full or half door), or frames of all shapes and sizes.

7. Recover toilet rolls for ready-made little pockets.

Fabric

8. Fabric Scraps: Incorporate bits of fabric, lace, button, or ribbon for texture and tactile quality. Insert them as backdrops, highlights, borders, bookmarks, or pen holders.

9. Stitching: Sew elements onto your pages for added texture and durability.

Ephemera

10. Ephemera: Add ticket stubs, postcards, receipts, business cards, lone buttons, scraps of felt/wool, left-over embroidery threads, charms, can opener, interesting textures, postal stamps, no longer valid currency notes or anything with a sentimental value.

Decorative elements

11. Serendipity and texture: Muted and metallic elements, plain and patterned details, with and without text, soft or rough to the touch should all be squirreled away.

12. Stickers, Stamps & Washi Tape: These are great for adding quick decoration, framing, or borders. Make your own stamps by carving root vegetables, an old rubber or a piece of balsa, using corrugated cardboard, bubble packaging, and making leaf imprints. Make your own washi tape using kids' plaster, adding patterns to masking tape, or applying washi tape to a page of magazine or paper you like and cutting in strips.

13. Add glitter, confetti, coloured sand to glue sticks, double-sided tape for added texture or glam.

14. For a vintage look, Add metal corners and wax seals

15. Receipts/Tags: Turn fancy clothing tags or old receipts into journaling spots or decorative labels or tabs.

 Memories

16. Old Photos: Photographs (vintage or printed) can be a wonderful visual element, adding a personal or nostalgic touch.

17. Add glamour with photo corners

18. Consider adding a scented strip of paper. Scent is very much a trigger for memories to flood back.

Medium

19. Paint & Inks: Watercolours, acrylics, stamping inks, ink spray can bring pops of colour to your journal pages.

20. Writing Tools: Pens, markers, and coloured pencils (dry or watercolour) for adding text and doodles.

21. An old toothbrush is priceless for dry brushed, smudged, sprayed, splattered, sprinkled, stamping, and scraping effects. You can also load it with water and colour for blending effects.

Nature 

22. Incorporate a bit of nature with dried flowers, petals, leaves, seeds, feathers, sand or eggshells or butterfly or bug wings (of course, do not harm live insect)

23. Reproduce animal fur print, pattern or tracking marks, incorporate hair and fibres such as wild wool

 

 

Techniques

Layering

24. Layering: Start by layering papers, fabrics, and other materials. You can tear edges for a raw, organic look or leave them sharp for contrast. You can surround the edge with decorative tape or sew lace. Mixing up various papers and ephemera in a collage style, building visual interest, depth, and contrast on your pages.

25. Experiment with different layouts and patterns.

Stitching

26. Stitching: Use thread (Cottom, silk or metallic) or twine to sew paper or fabric into your pages, either as decoration or for attaching items. Hand-stitching can add a rustic, handmade feel. Get adventurous with simple embroidery, either filling or outlining shapes

Pockets

27. Pockets & Hidden Elements: Create small pockets or foldouts in your journal to store little notes and items, secrets, instax photo, tags, ephemera or hidden treasures (keys, feathers…).

Decoupage/Collage

28. Decoupage: Apply layers of paper using glue (like Mod Podge), giving a smooth, sealed finish. This is great for combining fragile papers. Explore matt, satin, gloss and sparkly finish. Explore different levels of page rigidity for added interest.

29. Consider 3D pictures by superposing cardstock shapes to form a picture. Flowers, fireplaces are easy to make 3D

 

 

Distressing

30. Distressing & Inking: Use ink pads or sandpaper to distress edges, giving your pages a vintage, worn look.

31. Consider deliberate mishaps such as stains and splashes, or mug rings.

Stamping

32. Stamping: Use stamps (homemade or purchased) to add patterns, words, or symbols. Experiment with layering stamps in different colours. Frames are especially versatile, and for some reasons numbers add an extra dimension.

33. Stencilling: Use stencils to add patterns and designs. You can make your own by cutting shape through cardstock, mylar or thin cardboard, or use meshes, punches, interesting edges or even masking fluid to create positive or negative shapes.

Handwriting

34. Handwriting & Calligraphy: Include your own handwriting, whether it’s journaling or calligraphy, to add a personal touch to your entries. Play with different inks and pens for variety.

35. Personal Writing: Include personal notes and musing, quotes, affirmations or poems to make your journal truly unique.

36. Typed words of wisdom: uncomfortable with penmanship? Just type it and play with fonts, or cut out words and letters and assemble as you need.

37. Journaling: Capture a moment and write your thoughts, feelings, or experiences directly onto your journal pages. Consider using different writing styles or fonts, make it special with a frame, make it a label on a fancy background, stitch the words etc…

 

 

38. Fabric Binding: For a soft and flexible journal binding, use fabric scraps or ribbons tied around signatures of folded paper.

39. Protect your art: with a fancy sleeve or cover, complete with a strap, cord, zip, velcro or button fastener and a pocket for loose pages

Interactive Elements

40. Interactive Elements: Incorporate flip-outs, accordion folds, or tabs that invite the viewer to engage with the journal. Go even bolder with lottery wheels, folded automata like in children books, origami envelops… Be brave and fold away…

Doodle

41. Drawing: Sketch or doodle directly onto your journal pages to express your creativity.

42. Zentangle for mindfulness and relaxation, consider colouring, shading or stitching or coloured background to bring your creation to the next level.

Book Binding

43. Learn basic bookbinding techniques to create custom journals from scratch. Keep tuned as I am planning to load some videos about simple bindings. 

44. Add a head band either with a band of paper or stitching to link all the signatures and add a finishing touch.

45. Document your journey: As you create your journal, document your process by taking photos or writing about your experiences. Add emoticons, love hearts to celebrate your creation or add a bookmark with beads, charms, tassels to make these pages stand out.

Tips

46. No Rules: Remember, there are no strict rules in junk journaling. Let your creativity flow and don’t be afraid to experiment

47. Have fun: There are no rules when it comes to junk journaling

48. Recycle: Use materials you already have at home. This not only saves money but also adds a personal touch to your journal

49. Themes: Consider creating themed pages or sections to give your journal a cohesive look. 

50. Experiment with different materials and techniques to find your own unique style. 

51. Embrace imperfections: Junk journaling is all about using recycled materials, so don't worry about creating a perfect journal.

52. Help me here: What is your preferred material or technique?

Tools and Equipment

Whilst the following tools are mostly optional, here are some suggestions to facilitate a more enjoyable experience.

 Adhesives

• Glue Stick: Perfect for quick sticking of lightweight papers, photos, and scraps.
• Double-Sided Tape: Great for a clean, mess-free way to adhere pages or embellishments.
• Glue Dots: Handy for attaching heavier items like buttons or charms.
• Liquid Glue (PVA or Tacky Glue): Works well for heavier materials like fabric, cardboard, or mixed media elements.

Scissors & Cutting Tools

• Precision Scissors: For intricate cutting of small shapes, labels, or details.
• Paper Trimmer: A great tool for cutting straight lines quickly and efficiently.
• Craft Knife (X-Acto knife): Ideal for more detailed cuts or making your own shapes and designs.
• A cutting mat is useful
• Serrated scissors or blade are handy
• Rotary blade for straight cutting
• Corner cutter

Writing & Marking Tools

• Pens & Markers: Black fine-tip pens are great for outlines and writing. Add coloured gel pens or brush pens for accents.
• Stamp Pads & Stamps: Use rubber or clear stamps with archival ink for consistent designs or patterns.
• Coloured Pencils or Watercolours: These can be used to add soft colouring to your pages, perfect for highlighting or creating a watercolour effect.

Distressing Tools

• Distress Ink & Ink Blending Tool: To give paper an aged or worn-out look, perfect for that vintage vibe.
• Sanding Block: Lightly sand edges of paper or embellishments to give them a distressed, aged appearance.

Punches & Stencils

• Paper Punches: Shapes like hearts, circles, and tags are great for adding variety.
• Hole Punch: For making holes to bind pages or add reinforcement rings.
• Stencils: Great for adding consistent patterns or decorative elements like lace or borders.

Binding Tools

• Bone Folder: Essential for folding pages and creating crisp edges.
• Awl & Waxed Thread: If you plan on stitching your journal together, these are necessary tools.
• Binder Clips: Helpful when you need to keep pages together while gluing or binding.

Storage & Organization

• Ephemera Storage: Small boxes or envelopes for organizing your bits and pieces.
• Roll-Up Pouches or Toolboxes: To keep scissors, glue, and tapes all in one place.

 

There you have it—50 fun, quirky, and imaginative ways to turn the mundane into the extraordinary with junk journaling! Remember, the beauty of this craft lies in its freedom—there are no rules, just endless possibilities to express yourself. So grab those scraps, get organised and raid your recycling bin, and start creating! Your next journal masterpiece is waiting for you to bring it to life. Happy journaling!

Check my sister boutique on Etsy, Scribbly Sally, dedicated to all things for journaling, from stickers to stencil and decorative paper. Enjoy!