Scrapbook Design Ideas

Scrapbook Design Ideas to Simplify Your Layouts

There are many techniques you can use to simplify your scrapbook projects. Remember, scrapbooking is supposed to be fun! If you’re constantly pressuring yourself to come up with completely unique ideas, you’re missing the true essence of the hobby.

When you’re having trouble beginning a layout, using color blocking, sketches, or single photo layouts may help jump start your creative process.

Color Blocking

Color blocking is a timeless scrapbook technique that works well with many different types of projects. By creating a grid of colored background paper to use as the base of your layout, you can design a page that is simple yet highly attractive.

To create a simple color blocked layout:

1. Choose two or three colors of paper that coordinate well with your photos. Cardstock is a staple of color blocking, but you can use subtly patterned paper if you’re feeling creative.
2. Draw lines on a sheet of background paper to divide it into quadrants.
3. Cut your paper to fit the dimensions of each blocked area.
4. Adhere blocked background paper to the grid.
5. Add photos, journaling, and embellishments to finish the layout.

For a modern twist on traditional color blocking, try using increased margins between elements or using a corner rounder on the edges of your background blocks.

Although it’s easy to create a color blocked layout using supplies you already own, you may want to purchase pre-designed papers to use when you’re in a hurry to finish a particular layout. For example, Kyla’s Tone on Tone Color Blocked Papers from Hot Off the Press feature subtle colors and faux textures that suit a variety of scrapbooking styles.

Sketches

In scrapbooking, sketches are drawings that illustrate potential placement combinations for a layout’s photos, title, journaling, and embellishments. Since scrapbook sketches are typically organized by the amount of photos featured, this approach is an easy way to create layouts using multiple images. However, if you’re feeling exceptionally creative, you can try rotating a favorite sketch or slightly altering the sizes of the images used to add your own special touch to these scrapbook design ideas.

You can find free scrapbook sketches on the following websites:

• Sketches from Creating Keepsakes
• Simple Scrapbooks Schemes
• Scrap Muse
• Scrapbook Dreamer Sketches
• ScrapJazz Sketches

You may also be interested in these scrapbooking idea books:

• Creative Sketches for Scrapbooking by Becky Higgins
• Creative Sketches Volume 2 by Becky Higgins

Single Photo Layouts

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by stacks of photos that have yet to make it into your albums, the thought of creating a layout with just one photo may seem counterproductive. However, using single photo layouts in your scrapbooks offers several advantages:

• You can showcase a truly beautiful and artistic image.
• You’ll leave more room for journaling.
• You don’t need to worry about cropping several photos to make them fit on the page.
• One outstanding photo often tells a better story than multiple mediocre images.

Although single photo layouts work well in many different album sizes, this approach is often particularly useful when creating small theme albums documenting a recent vacation, an anniversary party, or other special event. Simply choose your favorite photographs to showcase in the album and share the others with friends or family.

Additional Sources of Inspiration

Still having trouble coming up with your own scrapbook design ideas? Exercise your creative thinking skills and see what inspiration you can gather from the following sources:

• Magazine advertisements
• Home décor catalogs
• Color combinations in clothing, jewelry, and accessories
• Greeting cards
• Wrapping paper
• Product packaging

As you gain more scrapbooking experience, you’ll start to discover that ideas for photos, embellishments, and journaling are all around you. In fact, many devoted scrapbookers say they keep a small notebook in their purse for jotting down their sources of inspiration.