Are you done with standard diaries that just don't work for your life? Then you are not the only one. More and more people are choosing to create their own weekly planner - tailored to their own needs. Whether you are a student, run a busy family life, want to be creative or simply need more overview: a DIY weekly planner offers all the freedom you need.
Because let's face it: ready-made planners often fall short. Too little writing space, pages you never use, or a layout you don't like. When you make your own paper weekly planner, you decide everything - from layout to colours and sections to style. And the great thing is: you can get creative with it, too.
Here you can read exactly how to go about it. We take you step by step through the creation of your own weekly planner. From handy materials and clever layouts to inspiring tips to give your planner that extra touch.
Step 1: What do you need to make your own weekly planner?
Making your own weekly planner starts - logically - with the right stuff at hand. Fortunately, you don't need a full drawing board to do this. Depending on your style (hand-drawn or digitally designed), you can make it as basic or elaborate as you like. Here is an overview of the most useful materials to get your DIY planner project off to a smooth start:
A notebook or ring binder
Choose a base that suits you. Will you be drawing? Then a blank notebook with dotted paper (like a bullet journal) is perfect. Do you want to stay flexible and be able to move or add pages? Then an A5 ring binder with loose sheets is ideal. A4 offers more space, A5 is more manageable - whatever makes you happy.
Good paper
Do you work with loose sheets? Then choose slightly thicker paper (around 100-120 g/m²) so that your pen does not print through. Blank, lined or dotted: it is a matter of taste. Dotted paper is a favourite for those who like to draw a tight layout.
Fine writing and drawing utensils
A pen and pencil are the minimum, but for a planner that also looks nice, fineliners, markers and highlighters are highly recommended. Popular choices are Sakura Micron pens and brush pens such as Tombow. Use colour to create structure (e.g. blue = work, green = private).
A ruler and possibly templates
Nothing more frustrating than crooked lines. Use a ruler to keep everything taut. Do you also want to draw icons, circles or small trackers? Then templates can come in handy.
Decoration material (for the creative)
Stickers, washi tape, coloured markers - anything to give your planner a personal touch. Decoration is not obligatory, but it can make planning a lot more fun (and more motivating too!).
A printer and computer (if you work digitally)
Prefer to design digitally? Then use, for example, Word, Excel or Canva to create your weekly planner and print it out. Extra tip: print in colour for a cheerful planner.
A hole punch or puncher (for ring binder use)
Do you use a folder with rings? Then you will need a hole punch to add your pages neatly. Tip: use an old planner page as a template to punch just right.
Useful extras
Think sticky notes for quick notes, paper clips or magnetic bookmarks to find the right week back, and a pen loop to always have your favourite pen to hand. Small stuff, big convenience.
Good to know: you really don't need to buy everything. Start simple with a notebook and pen, and add what you find handy later. Making a planner is not a competition - it can also just be fun.
Step 2: Choose a layout that works for you
A good weekly planner starts with a layout that suits you. Because whether you like checking off to-do lists, dividing your day into time blocks or planning everything loosely - your planner should follow your way of thinking and working. So one of the most fun and important choices when making your own planner is: what does your week look like on paper?
Vertical or horizontal?
A vertical layout means you put the days as columns below each other - ideal for those who want to write a lot, work with timetables or bullet points. This layout is similar to many standard diaries, but with your own twist. Do you prefer to work more broadly? Then a horizontal layout is your match: days side by side, overview at a glance and more space for free text. Perfect if you only want to jot down a few things per day or are looking for a visual overall picture.
With or without time blocks?
Do you plan your day from hour to hour? Then you can work with time slots, e.g. from 8:00 to 20:00. This way, you keep a grip on your schedule and avoid overlapping appointments. Not so keen on strict schedules? Then leave out the times and keep your daily schedule nice and open - with only to-do's or free notes. Tip: you can also put time slots on weekdays only, and leave weekends open.
Extra space for tasks, notes and habits
Think carefully about what you need besides the days themselves. A box for your weekly goals? A column for notes or errands? Or a habit tracker to keep track of how often you exercise or drink water? You can make your layout as simple or elaborate as you like. For example, make a small block "This week" where you put priorities - that way you start each week with focus.
When does your week start?
Monday is the logical starting day for many people, but if you prefer to start on Sunday (or want a separate layout for weekend days), you can of course do that too. The advantage of making your own weekly planner is that you are completely free in your choices. Just make sure that all seven days are included - and adjust the size to what you need.
First make a sketch
Before you enthusiastically start drawing or designing, make a rough sketch. That way you can quickly see whether you can fit everything in and whether the proportions are right. Do you want to see everything at a glance, or do you want to be able to focus on each day? Do you prefer your to-do's at the top left, or space for reflection at the bottom? Your layout forms the basis of your planning, so take the time to create something that really works for you.
Step 3: Get inspired - templates and tools to get you started
Making your own weekly planner doesn't mean you have to come up with everything from scratch. Fortunately, the online world is bursting with handy tools, ready-made templates and creative examples that you can use as inspiration or even put to use straight away.
Online templates - ready-to-use and customisable
Websites like Canva are full of free and paid weekly planner templates that you can customise in terms of colours, text and layout. You choose a style you like, tinker around until it's perfect for you, and print. Super handy if you want something working quickly without spending hours drawing.
Platforms like Miro (especially useful if you like to plan digitally) also offer templates for weekly overviews - ideal for brainstorming or visual planning. And blogs like Planjeweek.nl or Drukwerkdeal regularly offer free downloads of weekly layouts and other useful planning pages.
Printables - download and print
Don't feel like designing your own but want something on paper? Then search for "weekly planner printable" and you will find dozens of downloads in PDF or Word format in no time. You can often use these printables straight away or slightly modify them. Ideal for those who want to get started quickly but are looking for something personal.
Design yourself - with software or simply with pen and paper
Do you really want to do it yourself? Then grab Word, Excel or a graphics programme and build your own layout. Create a table with 7 columns (days) and you're well on your way. Prefer old-school? Draw out your ideal weekly layout with pencil and ruler and use that as your master page. Tip: scan or copy = new pages quickly.
Look around the planner community
Pinterest and Instagram are goldmines when it comes to ideas. Search on hashtags such as 1TP5Week planner, #bulletjournalspread or #plannerinspo and you will get a mountain of examples - from sleek and minimalist to creative and colourful. Choose one or two styles that suit you and give it your own twist.
Or opt for ready-made, with a personal twist
Are you short on time (or just don't feel like drawing)? Then you could also consider buying planner pages through platforms like Etsy. These are often already beautifully designed and open-fillable. Download, print on your favourite paper, punch holes in, and your DIY planner is ready.
Whatever you choose: be inspired, but stay true to what works for you. Your weekly planner does not have to be perfect - if it gives you an overview, it is just right.
Step 4: Set up your weekly schedule from Monday to Sunday
Now that you've figured out your layout and are full of inspiration, it's time for the real work: fleshing out your weekly planner in concrete terms. Whether you draw on paper or design digitally, the goal is the same - a clear and usable layout from Monday to Sunday, completely tailored to your life.
Start with the basics: space per day
Draw (or design) seven boxes: one for each day of the week. Are you working on two pages? Then you could put Monday to Wednesday on the left, for example, and Thursday to Sunday on the right. Many people choose five larger boxes for weekdays and two smaller ones for weekends - smart if you plan less on weekends.
Tip: when drawing by hand, work with pencil first. That way you can easily move or erase things if they still don't come out quite right. Do you use a tool like Word or Canva? Make sure the columns or boxes are nicely aligned and that your text is easy to read.
Add fixed elements
Want to add a "To do this week" block, a "Weekly goal" or a small mood tracker? Now is the time to give those a place. Think of a mini calendar, a list of habits you keep track of daily (such as drinking water, exercise, sleep), or a note corner for spontaneous ideas. Whatever you think is important, just give it a permanent place - your planner, your rules.
Structure per day
You can leave your day boxes empty for free interpretation, or subdivide. For example:
Top: most important task or priority
Middle: time slots for appointments (e.g. 08:00-18:00)
At the bottom: to-do's or reflection
If you use time slots, put the hours on one day only and then use a ruler to cross them out - saves work and stays tidy. This way, you can plan tightly or leave room for creativity.
Sample layout
A popular setup: a vertical weekly layout over two pages. You create five columns for working days and two for weekends. At the top of each day some space for a motto or daily goal, below that time slots from 8 to 18 hours for appointments, and at the bottom space for individual tasks. To the side, another wide "This week" column for general to-do's or weekly goals. Simple, clean and clear.
Just testing - does it really work?
Before you draw or print dozens of pages, do a test with a sample week. Can you fit in all your appointments? Do you have room for tasks and notes? Is there nothing missing? Rather adjust something now than start again later. Adjust the boxes if necessary and then make your final version.
Print or fill it out!
Are you satisfied? Trace the lines with pen, print out your digital design or copy your hand-drawn version. For a ring binder planner: think about the correct order and printing on both sides if you make spreads. By the way, with one master page you can easily work several weeks ahead.
Step 5: Keep it clear, reusable and easy to maintain
You have designed your weekly planner - great! But now, of course, you want to make it really useful. The secret? A bit of structure, a pinch of consistency and clever ways to use your planner over and over again. Because making your own planner is only really useful if you can enjoy it for a long time.
Stay true to your format
Choose one basic layout and stick to it for a while. That way, you don't have to think about where to jot down things every week. If you always use the same structure (e.g. appointments first, then to-do's, then notes), you will know exactly where everything is - this saves time and prevents chaos. Is something not working quite right? Then make small adjustments. A DIY planner means: keep fine-tuning until it really suits you.
Create a reusable template
No desire to redraw or cut/paste every week? Make a template!
Do you work on paper, such as in a bullet journal? Then use pencil to mark out baselines for several weeks in advance.
Do you work digitally? Save your file well and print it again and again.
Extra handy: make two versions, one with dates and one without. That way you always have a blank weekly overview ready to use whenever you want.
Laminating or whiteboard paper? Smart!
Want to be even more flexible? Consider laminating your layout or printing on erasable paper. This way, you can fill in your planner with a whiteboard marker, erase it and use it again. Handy if you hang your planner on the wall or put it on your desk, for example. Note: you won't be able to keep old weeks - but it is super durable and time-saving.
Use accessories to keep an overview
Little helpers make your planner so much more convenient. Think about:
A bookmark, paperclip or tab for the current week
Sticky notes for extra notes
A rubber band or ribbon in your notebook
Divider tabs when working with single pages
Keep it neat and practical
Nothing like a messy planner that you can't find anything in. Write with pens that don't smudge (possibly erasable pens like Pilot FriXion) and use colour coding in a logical way. No rainbow without a reason 😉. And feel free to throw out pages you no longer need from your folder - keep only what you actually use.
Another tip: make a permanent place for your planner and accessories. A tray or pencil case with your markers, stickers and ruler within easy reach makes it quicker to add or update something.
Step 6: Make your planner personal and creative
One of the biggest advantages of making your own weekly planner? You can make it completely your own. Not just in terms of layout, but also in terms of style. Adding colour, nice details or inspiring quotes not only makes your planner more beautiful, but also more fun to use. And that is exactly what makes you open it regularly.
Colours and themes
Use colour to bring structure and atmosphere. You can work with a colour code (e.g. blue for work, green for private, pink for sports), or choose a different theme each week: autumn tones in October, pastels in spring, festive gold around the holidays. For example, Studio Solveig gave its planner a blue-green colour palette - just one marker did wonders for the overall look.
Tip: use mildliners or pencils to add shadows or highlight blocks without making it choppy.
Doodles, drawings and own illustrations
Do you love drawing? Then this is your moment. Many DIY planners are decorated with little doodles, icons or hand-drawn banners. Think a coffee cup at your morning routine, a sun on days off or flowers in the margins. Rather not have a free hand? Then use stamps, stencils or printed illustrations. Anything that makes you happy goes.
Motivational quotes and stickers
A quote of the week at the top of your page can give that little push on Monday morning. You can hand-letter them or print them and stick them on. Stickers are also ideal for both functional and fun decoration. There are stickers for everything from deadlines and meetings to smileys and holidays. And don't forget washi tape - it comes in a thousand designs and makes any spread instantly cosy.
Trackers and creative extras
Creativity is not only in how your planner looks, but also in what you add. For example, create a habit tracker or mood tracker that you colour in a little each day. Or a mini calendar to indicate the week visually. Even more fun: stick photos, tickets or clippings in your planner - then it almost becomes a diary and planner in one.
Had a great week? Create a corner for "weekly wins" and write down your successes or happy moments there. That way you will not only look forward, but also look back with a smile.
Keep it fun and practical
Decorating is fun, but don't let it get in the way of readability. Use light colours in the background and keep enough writing space. And don't feel obliged to make everything perfect at once. Just start Monday with a basic layout and add some colour or flair during the week - five minutes here and there is enough.
Your style, your planner
Ultimately, the most important thing is that your planner becomes a place you enjoy reaching for. Whether it's creative illustrations, minimalist calm or a colourful mix of everything you like - it's all allowed. After all, it is your self-made planner and that makes it unique.
No time to craft yourself, but want an overview?
Making your own paper weekly planner is fun and personal, but not everyone has the time (or inclination) to get to work with ruler and marker. Fortunately, there is a quick and stylish solution: The Wallplanner.
Our reusable weekly planner is already completely figured out for you, but still free to fill in. Large, clear and hangable on the wall or door - perfect for your home, office or dorm room. Made of whiteboard paper, so you can erase your planning as easily as you fill it in. And the best part: you only need to buy it once and you can use it again every year.
So whether you get started yourself or opt for convenience with a ready-made solution: overview is always at your fingertips.
