Creative Junk Journal Cover Ideas

Types of Covers and How to Make Them

Junk Journal Cover Decoration Ideas

Closure Ideas to Keep Your Journal Closed

 A junk journal cover sets the tone for everything inside. It’s the first thing you touch, see, and interact with—and it doesn’t need to be perfect to be meaningful. In fact, the best junk journal covers often look a little worn, layered, or imperfect. Whether you want something sturdy, soft, or completely upcycled, there are endless ways to create a cover that feels personal and inviting.

Since its the structure that holds everything together, choosing the right material is important. Your junk journal cover needs to be durable enough to protect your pages but flexible enough to expand. (Remember: junk journals tend to get very chunky as you fill them!)

Below are creative junk journal cover ideas, organized by type, style, along with ideas for closures that add both function and charm.

Types of Junk Journal Covers

Hardcover Junk Journal Covers (The “Gutted” Book)

This is the most popular method for creating a vintage-style journal. It involves taking an old, unwanted hardcover book, removing the original text block (the pages), and using the empty case as your new cover.

Hardcover junk journals are durable and feel substantial in your hands. They’re especially well-suited for journals with lots of layers, glue, and bulky elements.

Best for: Journals that need to be very sturdy or stand up on a shelf.

Ideas:

• Use old book covers from gutted books
• Repurpose damaged or outdated books you won’t read again
• Reinforce the spine if needed before binding new pages inside
• Cover the book cover with fabric

Why it works: Old book covers bring instant character, texture, and history. The worn edges and aged surfaces fit perfectly with the junk journal aesthetic and require very little decoration to feel finished.

The Aesthetic: Instant history. You get the beautiful, worn texture of an old library book or encyclopedia.

How to Make a Hardcover Junk Journal Cover Step by Step (Gutted or Altered Books)

Using an old hardcover book as the base for a junk journal is one of the most popular—and most satisfying—methods. It gives you instant structure, durability, and that beautiful vintage feel that’s hard to replicate from scratch.

There are two main ways to work with hardcover books:

• Fully “gutting” the book (removing the pages entirely) and using the empty cover as a journal shell
• Creating an “Altered Book” (partially altering the book by removing some pages while keeping and reworking others)

Both approaches work beautifully, and the right choice depends on how you want to use the journal and how you want the paper to look.

Materials You Will Need:

• An old hardcover book (sewn bindings are best)
• Craft knife (X-Acto or box cutter)
• Metal ruler
• Glue stick or matte medium
• Tyvek tape or a strip of strong fabric (for spine reinforcement)
• Gesso (optional, for priming pages)

Option 1: The “Gutted” Book Method (Fully Gutted Hardcover Book)

This method involves removing all of the original pages so you’re left with just the hardcover case and spine. This empty case becomes your new cover. You then bind your own pages (called signatures) inside.

Best for: Creators who want a completely blank slate and plan to sew in their own custom signatures or to add them with other binding methods.

• Chunky journals with lots of layers, pockets, and dimensional elements
• Journals that need to stand up on a shelf
• People who want full control over page size, paper type, and layout

How to “Gutt” a Hardcovered Book

• Choose the right book: Look for a hardcover book you won’t read again—damaged books, outdated encyclopedias, old textbooks, or thrift-store finds work perfectly. Make sure the cover is sturdy and the spine is in decent condition.
• Open the Book: Lay the book open on a flat surface. You will see where the pages connect to the cover (the hinge).
• Cut the Hinge: Using your craft knife, gently slice through the paper layer of the hinge on the front inside cover. Be careful not to cut through the spine of the cover itself. Repeat on the back inside cover until the entire block of pages lifts out. Once both hinges are cut, the block of pages should pull away from the spine.
• Remove the Text Block: You can save these pages for other papercraft projects!
• Clean the Spine: You might see leftover paper or dried glue on the inside of the spine. Scrape away loose debris, but don’t worry about making it perfect.
• Reinforce: Because the original structural integrity relied on the pages, the spine is now flimsy. Reinforce the inside of the spine by gluing down a strip of heavy fabric or applying Tyvek tape. This ensures your new cover will last. This step is especially important if your journal will be chunky or heavily layered.
• Prepare your new pages: Create your own signatures using mixed paper—copy paper, cardstock, tea-stained paper, scrapbook paper, envelopes, or vintage ephemera.
• Attach the signatures: You can stitch the signatures directly into the spine, glue them in, or add a hidden hinge or binding strip for extra strength.

Option 2: The “Altered” Book Method (Using the Original Pages)

Instead of removing all the pages, this approach keeps some of the book’s original pages and transforms them into part of the journal. This is closer to traditional altered book art and works beautifully for art journaling.

Although this method keeps the original binding, it requires you to remove a significant portion of the pages to prevent the book from bulging open (a problem known as “alligator mouth”) once you add photos and ephemera.

Best for: Creators who want to skip the sewing/binding process and use the existing paper as a canvas for art, collage, or mixed media.

• Art journaling and mixed media
• Journals that evolve slowly over time
• People who enjoy responding creatively to existing text and imagery

How to Make an Altered Hardcover

• Thin the Pages: Most hardcover books are too thick to use as-is. You need to remove bulk to make room for your artwork. Open the book and decide on a pattern. A common ratio is Keep 1, Remove 3. Some people remove every other page or cut out entire chunks to reduce bulk.
• Decide which pages to keep: Keep pages with interesting text, illustrations, fonts, or margins. These can become backgrounds for collage, painting, or journaling.
• How to do it: Hold one page (to keep), then tear out the next three pages (or as many as you have decided to remove). Tear them out as close to the spine as possible or use a craft knife to remove them. Repeat this rhythm through the entire book.
• Strengthen remaining pages (Optional): Original book pages are often thin. To create sturdier pages that can handle paint and heavy glue, many artists glue the remaining pages together. This prevents the journal from bowing or breaking the spine. You can:
  • Glue two pages together to make them sturdier
  • Add cardstock, vellum, or scrapbook paper on top
  • Gesso the pages before painting
• How to do it: Take two adjacent distinct pages and glue them together using a glue stick or matte medium. This turns two thin book pages into one thick, cardstock-like page.
• Prep the Surface: If you don’t want the original text to show through, apply a coat of white or clear Gesso to the pages. This primes the paper and prevents your pens and paints from bleeding through. However, when the printed text shows through it adds depth and character so you might decide not to hide it.
• Work directly in the book: Paint, collage, stamp, stitch, or write directly onto the original pages.

Why Use an Old Hardcover?

• Durability: Hardcover junk journals are durable and feel substantial in your hands. They’re especially well-suited for journals with lots of layers, glue, and bulky elements.
• The Aesthetic: You get instant history. The beautiful, worn texture of an old library book or encyclopedia brings a gravity to the project that new notebooks lack.

Ideas:

• Gutted: Use the empty case to house an entirely new collection of tea-stained papers and envelopes.
• Altered: Use the existing text as a design element—highlight certain words to create “found poetry” before painting over the rest.
• Cover Art: Leave the original cover as-is for a vintage look, or cover it with fabric or scrapbook paper if the original title doesn’t fit your theme.
• Ideas for Both Methods:
  • Use old library books, encyclopedias, or damaged hardcovers
  • Cover the book cover with fabric—or leave it exposed for a worn, authentic look
  • Reinforce the spine early if you plan to add weight
  • Combine methods by gutting part of the book and keeping a small section of original pages

Upcycled Junk Journal Covers

This is the heart of junk journaling—turning everyday “junk” into something beautiful and useful. Cardboard food packaging is the perfect weight for a journal cover: it is stiff enough to hold shape but thin enough to cut with scissors.

Ideas:

• Cereal boxes or cracker boxes cut to size
• Large envelopes or mailers
• Packaging with interesting textures or patterns

Why it works: These materials are lightweight, easy to cut, and surprisingly sturdy once layered or covered. They’re perfect for beginners or anyone who wants to create without buying supplies.

Materials: Cereal boxes, cracker boxes, frozen pizza boxes, or large Amazon envelopes.

How to Make an Upcycled Junk Journal Cover Step by Step

Cut the box to your desired size (either keeping the spine section intact or cut out 3 sections).

Secure the front and back covers together by applying a wide strip of strong tape down the center to form the spine.

Cut the fabric for the cover, making sure it’s larger than the cover on all sides.

Fold the fabric edges over the cover and secure them neatly to the back, leaving the spine area flat.

Make sure that the front looks relatively neat.

Cover the fabric on the left side with a piece of cardstock to keep the inside looking neat and finished.

Cover the fabric on the right side with a piece of cardstock to keep the inside looking neat and finished.

The Benefit: It is completely free and saves waste from the landfill.

Altered Notebook Covers: The “Makeover” Method

If you don’t want to build a cover from scratch, simply buy a cheap composition notebook or a sketchbook and give it a makeover. If you already have an old notebook or journal, then you don’t even need to buy one.

Ideas:

• Paint directly over an existing cover
• Collage scraps, paper, or fabric on top
• Add texture with stencils, stamps, or light sanding

Why it works: Altering an existing cover removes the pressure of building a journal from zero. It’s fast, forgiving, and a great way to transform something ordinary into something personal.

Technique: Use gesso to prime the cover (covering the original design), then layer on acrylic paint, collage papers, or Mod Podge and napkins.

Best for: Beginners who are intimidated by the idea of binding or sewing a spine. You just open the book and start decorating!

Softcover Junk Journal Covers

If you want a journal that feels flexible, go for a soft cover. These are so flexible, tactile, and easy to toss into a bag.

Ideas:

• Fabric covers made from cotton, linen, or canvas
• Quilted covers using scrap fabric and batting
• Fabric & Quilted: This is a great way to use up fabric scraps. You can stitch together a “patchwork” cover or use a piece of an old quilt. These are often known as “Slow Stitch” journals.
• Leather (or Faux Leather): Use thin leather or faux leather covers for a rustic or minimalist look. A piece of leather simply folded in half makes for a classic, traveler’s notebook style. It is rugged, durable, and ages beautifully with scratches and wear.

Why it works: Softcovers bend easily, wrap around thick pages, and feel warm and handmade. They’re ideal for journals meant to be handled often or carried around.

Why we love it: Softcovers accommodate “chunky” pages very well because the spine is usually flexible and can grow with the book.

Decorating Junk Journal Covers: Style Ideas & Inspiration

The cover of your junk journal is more than just protection for the pages inside—it sets the mood for the entire project. Whether you are using a gutted hardcover book, a cereal box, or chipboard, the way you “dress” the outside tells the story of what’s inside.

Decorating the cover of a junk journal is where the personality of the journal really comes to life. The cover sets the tone before a single page is turned—it hints at what’s inside and makes the journal feel intentional, personal, and finished. There’s no right or wrong way to decorate a cover, but choosing a style can help guide your materials and design choices.

Below are a few popular junk journal cover styles, along with ideas for how each one can look and what materials work best.

Vintage “Heirloom” Style

Vintage-style covers are timeless and perfectly suited to junk journals. They feel aged, textured, and full of history. This style mimics the look of an old library book or a traveler’s well-loved diary. It feels sturdy and serious.

How it looks: Soft, muted colors, worn edges, and a slightly imperfect finish. The cover often looks like it has a story to tell.

Materials to use:

• Linen or cotton fabric in neutral tones
• Faux or real leather for a classic, old-world feel (use upcycled leather from old jackets or handbags)
• Tea- or coffee-stained paper
• Old book pages, sheet music, or handwritten letters
• Lace, twine, or antique-style metal charms
• Fabric can be wrapped tightly around the cover for a clean look or left slightly frayed for extra character.
• Heavy kraft paper
• Bookbinding cloth

How to do it:

• Leather Wrap: Cut a piece of soft leather slightly larger than your cover. Wrap it around the entire book, gluing the excess inside the cover. The natural wrinkles and scuffs of the leather add instant age.
• Metal Accents: Add metal book corners to protect the edges and a metal bookplate on the front center to label the journal.
• Distressing: If using paper, crumple it up and smooth it back out before gluing it down. Ink the edges with “Vintage Photo” or brown distress ink to simulate decades of wear.

Boho Style

Boho junk journal covers are relaxed, artistic, and free-spirited. They often feel handmade and layered.

How it looks: Vibrant, textured, eclectic, and free-spirited. This style is “perfectly imperfect,” featuring messy layers and tactile elements. Textured, earthy, and slightly eclectic, with visible layers and natural elements.

Materials to use:

• Textured fabrics like muslin, burlap, or canvas
• Crochet pieces or macramé trims
• Feathers, wooden beads, or tassels
• Handmade paper or watercolor backgrounds
• Sari silk
• Kantha quilt scraps
• Brightly patterned cotton fabrics
• Beads and dangling charms

Boho covers often work best when layers are visible rather than perfectly smoothed down.

How to do it:

• Fabric Collage: Instead of one solid piece of fabric, use strips of different bright fabrics. Glue them down in overlapping layers (patchwork style) or sew them together before wrapping the cover.
• Messy Stitching: If you have a sewing machine, run a messy stitch around the perimeter of the fabric cover before gluing it to the board. Leave the threads long and hanging for texture.
• Closure: Use a long strip of colorful sari silk ribbon that wraps around the journal multiple times and ties in a loose bow.

Minimal & Neutral Style

Minimal covers are calm and understated, letting texture do the work instead of embellishment.

How it looks: Clean, simple, and elegant, with a focus on materials rather than decoration.

Materials to use:

• Kraft paper or handmade paper
• Neutral linen or cotton fabric
• Faux leather or book cloth
• Subtle embossing or a small title label

This style works well for people who want their journal to feel peaceful and uncluttered.

Artistic & Mixed Media Style

For those who love experimentation, a mixed media cover turns the journal into a piece of art.

How it looks: Bold, expressive, and layered, often with visible brushstrokes and texture.

Materials to use:

• Acrylic paint, gesso, or watercolors
• Collage papers and ephemera
• Stamps, stencils, or hand-drawn elements
• Texture paste or fabric scraps

This style is perfect for journals meant to evolve and change over time.

Feminine & Romantic “Shabby Chic” Style

This style is soft, pretty, and expressive, making it perfect for memory keeping or reflective journaling.

How it looks: Soft, feminine, nostalgic, romantic, and delicate. This style often uses pastel palettes, florals, and tactile softness.

Materials to use:

• Floral fabric or soft pastel papers
• Lace, tulle, or ribbon
• Pressed flowers or botanical illustrations
• Pearls, buttons, or soft fabric trims
• Vintage lace
• Crochet doilies
• Floral bedsheets
• Tulle and muslin

The cover can be fully wrapped in fabric or layered with paper and fabric accents for added depth.

How to do it:

• The Soft Base: Cover the cardboard structure with a layer of quilt batting before adding your top fabric. This gives the journal a “puffy,” soft feel like a pillow.
• Lace Layering: Cover your base floral fabric with a sheet of sheer lace. The pattern will peek through the lace, softening the colors.
• Focal Point: Glue a vintage sepia photograph or a fabric flower cluster in the center. Frame it with a snippet of a crochet doily.

The Botanical / Nature Style

The Look: Earthy, grounded, and organic. This style celebrates the outdoors and often looks like a field guide or a forest floor.

Materials:

• Eco-dyed paper
• Heavy canvas
• Burlap (hessian)
• Pressed leaves
• Twigs
• Mushroom imagery

How to do it:

• Texture Paste: Before covering the spine, use texture paste and a stencil to create a raised pattern (like wood grain or leaves) on the cover, then paint over it with earthy greens and browns.
• Specimen Window: Cut a small rectangle out of the front cover to create a window. Place a pressed fern or flower behind a piece of acetate or mica, framing it like a scientific specimen.
• Fabric Choice: Wrap the spine in rough burlap for texture, but use smooth, botanical-print paper for the front and back covers.

Your junk journal cover doesn’t need to be perfect—it just needs to feel right to you. Whether you prefer something vintage and worn, soft and feminine, or bold and artistic, the materials you choose will naturally guide the look. Let the cover reflect the mood of the journal inside, and don’t be afraid to experiment or mix styles.

Closure Ideas for Junk Journals

Don’t Forget the Closure!
Because junk journals get filled with layers, pockets, and photos, they have a tendency to flare open (often called “Gator Mouth”). A good closure keeps your treasures safe and the book shut.

Closures add both functionality and personality to your junk journal. They help keep chunky pages contained while acting as a design element.

• Wrap-Around Ribbons or fabric ties: Glue a long ribbon across the back of the cover before you decorate it. You can simply tie it in a bow at the front.

• Hitch Posts for adjustable thickness: A metal knob screwed into the cover. You attach a hair tie or elastic cord to the back and loop it over the knob.

• Vintage Buttons with string or elastic loops: Sew a large button onto the front cover. Attach a string to the back cover and secure the book by winding the string around the button in a figure-8 motion.

• Elastic Bands for flexibility: Punch holes in the spine and run elastic through (Traveler’s Notebook style) or simply use a strong rubber band around the whole book or any strap.

• Bulldog Clips: Clip the book shut with a large metal binder clip.

There are many more examples of closures in the images above (they are presented by theme).

Why it works: Junk journals grow and change over time. Flexible closures adapt as pages get thicker and help protect interactive elements inside.

Your junk journal cover doesn’t need to match the pages inside or follow a specific style. It just needs to invite you in. Whether it’s rough, soft, painted, stitched, or made from a cereal box, the best cover is one that makes you want to open the journal and start creating.

In junk journaling, the cover is just the beginning of the story—and it’s allowed to evolve along with you.