Get notebook cover ideas that are perfect for office or school! These 35+ DIY notebook decoration ideas are easy for both kids and adults to make.
Ever since I was young, decorating notebooks has been my thing. It was always how I expressed my creativity when going back to school. And now that planners are all the rage, decorating notebook covers is an even bigger deal than ever!
Some people use traditional planners, but others are using notebooks to keep their lives organized. What I like about a standard issue notebook is that you have the freedom to go crazy since all you have are lines (well, and sometimes they’re unlined!).
You can go bullet journal style and create your own calendars and to-do lists . . . you can customize them any way you like.
If you are on a notebook kick, here are 35+ notebook cover ideas you’re going to love. Each one is so pretty – it’s hard to pick my favorite. Use these ideas to inspire you.
You shouldn’t limit your creativity to the outside of the notebook – you can use this inspiration to get creative on the inside pages, too.
Grab some unused or empty notebooks or an empty journal and get decorating! Let me know if you try any of these notebook decoration ideas in the comments. Have fun!
1
DIY Notebook in a Matter of Minutes
This adventure themed notebook is the perfect gift idea for everyone from hostesses to teachers to kids! So simple to personalize and perfect for a travel journal.
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2
Overlay with Mod Podge
Learn how to decorate your notebook with a laser cut overlay and Mod Podge. Keep all of your notes, calendar, or journal inside. So cute!
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3
Decorate a Journal to Own the New Year
Want to reorganize and refresh for the new year? How about some vision boarding? Learn how to decorate a journal with a cool quote just for this purpose!
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4
Scrapbook Paper and Die Cuts
Transform your stationery with this easy DIY notebook cover guide! You can personalize any notebook with simple materials and techniques. Perfect for planners, journals, and handmade gifts.
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5
maritzalisa.com
DIY Floral Patterned Notebooks
This is such a fun tutorial that uses temporary tattoo paper to decorate a notebook! If you don't have a cutting machine it's okay – you can still use temp tattoos from a site like Tattly.
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6
burkatron.com
Decorate Notebooks with Wrapping Paper
Use a glue stick and wrapping paper to decorate notebooks – then add some glittery letters! Simple, easy, and perfect for gifts.
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7
Ashlee Park
Embroidered Notebook for the Adventurer Inside
When I picked up this cute map notebook, I thought it would be perfect for embellishing with a stitchy quote! This embroidered notebook makes a great gift.
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8
designeatrepeat.com
Cute Printable Notebook Stickers
Decorate back-to-school notebooks, binders, folders, and book covers with these printable notebook stickers! Choose one of the trendy designs, draw on the details, and watch those boring school supplies transform into colorful desk decor.
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9
Marisa Edghill
Make Collage Covers
A collage doesn't have to be complicated. In fact, Marisa shows you how to do several on the front of notebooks with old magazines. I love her colorways! Make them for a recipe book, shopping list, mind mapping, vision boarding . . . the possibilities are endless.
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10
Homey Oh My!
DIY Back-to-School Notebooks
What pretty papers on the front of these notebooks! You can use this tutorial to add large paper sheets, wrapping paper, and more to some covers. Would these be perfect for gratitude journaling?
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11
twinspiration.co
Inspirational Covers
Sometimes you need a little bit of a pick me up, or at least something to keep you motivated. That's the point of these cute covers! And if you don't have a cutting machine, it's okay – you can get pre-printed vinyl quotes on Etsy.
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12
kimspireddiy.com
Coolest Color Changing Notebook
How cool would it be to have a notebook that changes colors? This is a super exciting craft to take back to school.
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13
mypoppet.com.au
Postage Stamp Notebook
If you're using your journal for travel or sketches, a cute way to decorate it is with postage stamps! You can use real ones that you get online (eBay has them), or print some images off from online. Either way, the theme is cute!
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14
foxandhazel.com
Stenciled with Paint
I feel like I always forget about stencils, and I'm not sure why! Today's stencils come in some pretty cute designs, perfect for adding to the front of a custom notebook.
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15
handmadecharlotte.com
Washi Tape and Fingerprint Art
Fingerprints make the cutest pencil erasers! The washi tape pencils on the front of this notebook are perfect for back to school, no matter your age.
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16
Pien’ the Sky
Hexagon Catalog Pages
Grab your Mod Podge for this notebook – you're going to cut some catalog pages into hexagons, and then decoupage them to the front. Super easy!
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17
Larissa Holland
Mini Memo Book Cover
If your composition books are of the mini variety, this is the perfect tutorial for you! Larissa provides a template and tutorial to make a cute little cover with a closure.
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18
www.burkatron.com
DIY Wood Notebook
Okay it's not real wood, but it sure looks real, doesn't it? Contact paper makes a great notebook cover idea it turns out! This would be a cool idea for a hobby journal.
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19
polkadotchair.com
How to Make a Fabric Covered Notebook
If you like sewing, Amy is ready to teach you how to make a fabric covered notebook with this free pattern. She’s even added a bit of applique detail to the cover making this the perfect simple summer sewing project!
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20
damasklove.com
Colorful Graphic Composition Book Covers
Amber has some free printables for you so that you can decorate a notebook the easiest way possible! Grab her cute covers, some glue, and you'll have new notebooks in minutes.
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21
cloverandviolet.com
Notebook Slipcover with Pen Pocket
This is another simple sewing project to cover your notebook! The best part about this DIY is that it adds pockets in the front for pencils. Perfect if you like to sketch!
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22
Cathy Attix
DIY Notebooks for Back to School
Cathy uses a variety of materials including Mod Podge, washi tape, paper, letters and more to decorate her notebooks. I love how they turned out.
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23
prettylifegirls.com
DIY Back-to-School Stitched Notebooks
If you've never stitched on paper, it's actually pretty fun! I love the results, especially on these cute notebook covers.
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24
quiltsocial.com
Denim Notebook Cover
Whether you’re covering a binder, a book, or a composition notebook, recycled denim is a great way to go! It would be fun to make these from colored jeans. Bonus: built in pocket in the front.
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25
damasklove.com
DIY Galaxy Painted Notebook
Amber has come up with a super simple way for you to create your own galaxy on the front of a journal with exactly ZERO crafty know-how. All you have to do is smudge and splatter. Foolproof!
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26
cutefetti.com
DIY Unicorn Notebooks
I'm all about the unicorn trend and I don't intend to ever give it up! I love the party flair that was added to the front of these notebooks, complete with unicorn ears and a horn. Perfect for any list of ideas!
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27
Brepurposed
DIY Mini Chalkboard Notebooks
Have you ever used chalkboard paint? It's actually quite easy. This notebook cover idea is really cute especially if you use them decoratively. And you can change the messages out regularly too!
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28
Lia Griffith
DIY Washi Tape Notebooks and Pencils
This idea is cute because not only do you cover your notebooks, but you add washi tape to the pencils as well. If you like it when things coordinate, this will be right up your alley.
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29
Chelsey Foy
DIY Gold Foil Notebooks for Back to School
I've never used a foil letter kit, but it looks really simple – plus you can make the notebooks say anything you like. And then once the gold is added, your journals are instantly cute.
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30
polkadotchair.com
DIY Hogwarts Inspired Notebooks
There are too many Potter fans out there not to include these Hogwarts inspired covers! Melissa provides a free printable, so you'll be good to go in minutes.
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31
lanaredstudio.com
Origami Embroidered Book Cover
Turn your journal cover into a surface for origami! This embroidery is such a cute way to decorate a cover, and I love the geometric shape.
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32
www.diybeautify.com
Decorate a Notebook for a Teen Girl
Cindy turned a notebook she got at Hobby Lobby into a cute gift for her niece! Add a bit of trim and some tabs and I guarantee it will be a big hit.
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33
fleecefun.com
Watercolor Notebook Cover Idea
You can make a notebook cover look almost like stained glass with the help of vinyl and some watercolor! I love this idea, especially the book is going to be an art journal.
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34
happyhooligans.ca
Mod Podge Journals for Tweens and Teens
Turn a composition notebook into a personalized journal with Mod Podge and magazine clippings. Both kids and adults can decorate their journal covers with a collage of images and words that inspire and motivate them.
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Which notebook design ideas from the list would you like to try? Let me know in the comments! I’d also love for you to check out these other ideas:
Carol Jensen
Friday 10th of November 2023
Very nice selection of mod podge IDEAS!
Team Gillis Realtor
Thursday 12th of January 2017
I love this kind of DIYS. The design of my notebooks are always personalized because it reflects my personality.