From Plain to Pretty: How Washi Tape Can Transform Your Journal Pages

If you’re a journal lover or just getting into the world of creativity and organisation, you’ve likely come across washi tape. This colourful, patterned tape has taken the world by storm, and for good reason! It’s a simple yet transformative tool that can elevate your journal pages from plain to pretty in no time. Whether you’re looking to add a touch of personality, organise your thoughts more clearly, or simply make your pages more aesthetically pleasing, washi tape has got you covered. Here’s how you can use it to turn your journal into a beautiful work of art.

1. Add Pops of Colour

One of the easiest ways to use washi tape is to add vibrant colour to your journal. Journals often come in muted colours and simple designs, but with a strip of washi tape, you can immediately infuse some brightness and fun. Choose tapes that match the theme or mood of your entries—pastels for a calm, peaceful vibe or bold, geometric patterns for something more energetic. You can place washi tape along the edges of your pages or use it to underline important information.

washi tape handmade journal


2. Create Borders & Frames

Washi tape can help define the structure of your journal entries. By applying it around the edges of a page or within certain sections, you create neat borders and frames that visually separate ideas or sections. This is especially useful if you like to organise your thoughts in a more structured way, or if you’re creating a bullet journal. The frames help break up large amounts of text and make the page more visually inviting. Choose complementary colours or patterns to keep everything cohesive.

journal page example washi tape ideas

3. Make Your Headers Stand Out

Headers are a key part of journalling, whether you’re writing about your day, creating a to-do list, or logging your goals. Washi tape can turn a basic title into something eye-catching. You can use strips of washi tape to underline or highlight your headers, giving them extra emphasis. You can also cut the tape into fun shapes, like arrows or zigzags, to create more dynamic designs around the text.

4. Create Dividers for Sections

Another creative use for washi tape is as dividers. If you’re organising your journal into different sections—like a habit tracker, a gratitude log, or a creative writing area—you can use washi tape to separate these parts visually. A few well-placed lines or strips of tape can distinguish one section from another, making it easier to navigate through your pages. Plus, it adds a little flair while keeping things organised.

washi tape ideas journal example

5. Customise Your Stickers & Ephemera

If you’re into scrapbooking or adding decorative elements to your journal, washi tape can double as a fun way to customise your stickers and ephemera. You can take plain stickers, tags, or pieces of paper and layer strips of washi tape on them. This adds texture, patterns, and colour, making them look more personalised. Whether it’s a simple geometric design or floral patterns, your stickers and tags will take on a new life with a touch of washi tape.

nature journal vintage ephemera birds


6. Enhance Your Mood & Theme

Journalling is not just about writing down your thoughts—it’s also about expressing your creativity and capturing your emotions. Washi tape can help reflect your mood or the theme of your journal entries. For example, if you’re writing about sunflowers, you could use washi tape with sunflowers. If you’re writing about the health benefits of pomegranates, you could use washi tape with illustrations of pomegranates.

pomegranate botanical illustration

7. Highlight Important Notes

Sometimes, you need to make certain notes or ideas pop. Washi tape is perfect for this! Whether you’re marking an important deadline, highlighting a goal, or simply calling attention to something you don’t want to forget, a small piece of washi tape can draw your eyes directly to the spot. You can use it as a highlighter alternative to make your entries stand out without the messiness of ink.

8. Make DIY Washi Tape Stickers

Feeling crafty? Try making your own washi tape stickers! Cut your favourite washi tape into small pieces or fun shapes—hearts, stars, circles, or even letters. Stick them to your journal pages as mini stickers that add a personalised touch. These DIY stickers are great for creating unique embellishments or for adding fun accents throughout your journal.

9. Cover Up Mistakes in Style

Let’s face it—everyone makes mistakes in their journals, whether it’s a typo, an overzealous doodle, or a poorly placed note. Washi tape can help cover up those imperfections with style. Simply place a strip of tape over the mistake and use it as an opportunity to add more decoration or create a border.

10. Create Mini Mood Boards

Washi tape isn’t just for sticking things together—it can also be used to create mood boards or mini collages within your journal. Attach photos, inspirational quotes, or pieces of artwork, and use washi tape to frame them or tie the pieces together visually. This is a great way to capture your thoughts and inspirations, making your journal a true reflection of your creativity and emotions.

nature journal example watercolour lemons washi tape


Final Thoughts

Washi tape is an incredibly versatile tool in the world of journalling. Whether you’re a minimalist or a maximalist, it offers endless possibilities to personalise your pages. It’s affordable, easy to use, and, most importantly, fun! With a simple roll of washi tape, your journal can go from plain to pretty in an instant, giving it the personal touch it deserves. So, next time you’re flipping through your journal, grab some washi tape, and start transforming your pages into a masterpiece. Happy journalling!

author avatar
Sadie @ InsideMyNest
Hi 👋, I’m Sadie—wife to a super supportive husband (also my business partner) and busy mum of two young children (the biggest miracles of my life). Every illustration you see here has been hand-illustrated by me (with several hours spent on some of them… yes, think I’m still a bit old-school), and all images are original photos that I have taken myself or of my own handmade creations. But I’m no expert, or have had any specialised training—just someone who is learning and would like to share that learning journey with like-minded individuals who are on the same boat as me :)