If your journaling supplies have staged a full-blown rebellion across your desk, you're in the right place! Finding that perfect pen or sticker shouldn't feel like an archaeological dig. Let's ditch the chaos and dive into 10 ingenious ways to neatly organize your journaling materials, transforming your creative space into a haven of calm and inspiration.
10 Ways to Organize Your Materials for Junk, Mixed Media, and Smash Journals
- #1. Tub Organization:
Every journaling enthusiast collects boxes and containers of different sizes and materials. Because we know that these are small, so-called tubs allow us to organize magazine cuts and stickers of the most random sizes in a neat, beautiful way. If you don't like such diversity in your drawers, you can paint these tubs and carefully label them.
- #2. Vertical Junk Storage:
Do you have a tiered rolling cart? These are so handy in organizing your supplies. Assign each shelf to a different category of your junk materials – pens and markers on one, notebooks and stencils on another, and washi tape and stickers on the bottom. This method keeps everything visible to your eye and mobile.
- #3. Binder Bliss System:
Okay, these are heavy and a bit bulky, but very useful too. Use a three-ring binder with dividers and clear plastic sleeves for your memorabilia. Store sticker sheets, ephemera, and loose papers in the sleeves, and punch holes in inspiration clippings or printed prompts to keep them organized by category.
- #4. Drawer Divider Dynasty:
Employ drawer dividers within your desk or storage unit. Mine aren't fancy, just reused paper boxes, which I cut and glued to create a perfect size. You can create designated sections for different types of pens, clips, sticky notes, and other small items. This prevents clutter and makes finding what you need a breeze.
- #4. Repurposed Display Power:
Give old tiered serving trays or cake stands a new life as organizers for frequently used items. Arrange your stationery, small notebooks, and decorative elements in an aesthetically pleasing and accessible way.
- #5. Washi Wall:
I'm not a big fan of visual clutter, but some like it eye-catching, am I right? So, you can compose a very appealing and comfy wall display for your tiny washi tapes and other tools using a pegboard or a series of thin dowels mounted on the wall. Arrange them by color, size, or pattern for easy selection.
- #6. Portable Project Pouches:
For on-the-go journaling or specific projects, use zippered pouches or DIY paper pockets to hold all the necessary supplies. This, of course, works only with something flat. Label each pouch with a sticky note or bookmark, mark a name or the type of journals it's intended for.
- #7. Notebook Nook:
Dedicate a specific shelf or shallow container just for your notebooks and journals. These look so cute and neat on a shelf, I promise! Try to arrange them by size, type (lined, dotted, blank), or date started for a visually organized collection. In the end, aesthetics is one of their main functions.
- #8. Upcycled Jar Jamboree:
If you are lucky to have enough space on your table, you can reuse pots and jars to organize various materials. Clean out glass jars of various sizes, use acetone to remove sticky labels, and use them to store different categories of small items (paperclips, binder clips, decorative brads, and individual stamps). You can even paint or decorate the jars for added flair!
- #9. Large-sized Container:
This is probably one of the worst methods for visuals, but best for that neat look. Think of it as your all-in-one stop for all things junk! Carefully stick your papers, starting with the largest and moving to the smallest, on top. Such a simple way will allow you to fill in and put away your material for the next journaling session.
- #10. Rotating Carousel:
Utilize a rotating desk organizer (like those used for office supplies or makeup) to keep frequently used pens, markers, and small tools within easy reach and view. For paper materials and memorabilia, wheel rotation, so that you can rotate through the options.
Concluding...
So, melanfolics, there you have it – 10 fantastic ways to bring order to your journaling universe. Pick the hacks that resonate with your style and space, and watch how a little organization can make a big difference in your journaling flow. Now go forth and create in a beautifully organized environment!
