DIY your best daily planner using basic office supplies!

Can't find the best day planner for you? Here's how to make your own DIY best daily planner specifically customized for your needs, using basic office stationery! Along with two shelf ideas to easily store the planner right on your kitchen counter. Full tutorial.

DIY your best daily planner using basic office supplies!
Can’t find the best day planner for you? Here’s how to make your own DIY best daily planner specifically customized for your needs, using basic office stationery!
Remember my post about Staying Organized with a clipboard checklist?
Anyone try it out?
So! In that post, I also mentioned another idea that is imperative to helping me stay on task when I set goals. And that’s my cheap and easy DIY day planner.
The non fancy kind.
Where you don’t have to print a thing.
It’s the one that you don’t even have to order!
All you will need to make the right planner to create your best self is basic office stationery you likely already have at home.

 

Vintage ironing board office light | part of Cheap and easy day planner from standard office supplies with a tackle box organizer | funkyjunkinteriors.net

Why a DIY day planner?

 

Ever try and shop for the best daily planner only to fall short?

I find most dayplanners on the market feel like they are styled for someone else’s schedule, and hard to incorporate my own needs into the layouts. Purchasing ready-made day planners can also be relatively expensive, especially if you aren’t sure if they will work for you.

That’s when I decided to come up with my own concept. A totally customizable high-quality planner that anyone can make with simple office supplies, that’s easy on the wallet.

So I fiddled with this design until it worked perfectly! And was fully adaptable so you could make it work perfectly for your lifestyle too!

I’ve now been using this simple DIY day planner for a number of years and it is the only planning system layout that has stood the test of time for me.

So ready to design your own best daily planner for 2021 and beyond! Which incorporates to-do lists, hourly and daily schedules, weekly views, and more! 

Here’s how:

This post contains some Amazon affiliate links in which I earn a small percentage from qualifying purchases through these links, at no extra cost to you. Thank-you for helping to support my blog!

DIY your best daily planner 

using basic office supplies

 

The best DIY day planner made with plain office supplies | funkyjunkinteriors.net
Supplies you’ll need:

 

A 3-ring office binder

Lined paper

Paper tabs (I like these erasable ones!)

A calendar

Wire spiral bound notebook


How to make a cheap & easy day planner from standard office supplies | funkyjunkinteriors.net

Setting up the planner layout

 

1. Fill the hard cover 3-ring binder with a full package of paper tabs.

I used a simple, clean white binder, however you could also choose or make one with a pretty cover design.

2. Insert hole-punched loose leaf lined paper in between the tabs.

3. Label the tabs with topics that need frequent reference, such as dates to remember, specific details, shopping lists, etc.

A few of mine are: Blog Post Ideas / Project Ideas / Stencil Designs / Travel / Groceries / Home Repairs / Supplies to Purchase / etc.

How to make a cheap & easy day planner from standard office supplies | funkyjunkinteriors.net
4. Start your binder with NO tab, going straight to paper. Flip over the first sheet so you have two lined papers side-by-side.

Master list

 

5. On the left side, call this your MASTER LIST, then jot down your weekly or longer term goals for reference.

You could also divide this into daily, weekly, and monthly goals.

Weekly Pages

 

6. On the right side, enter the days of the week with S M T W T F S. Then slip the dates beside the days.

If you find you need more space for daily stuff, flip to the next page, and use the left AND right pages for the entire week.

7. Transfer the master list stuff to the daily page.

Cross off master list stuff only when it’s actually done. 

Cross off daily stuff as it gets done. It’s very satisfying btw!

You can even get a little fancier writing with colored pens or stickers if desired.

Hourly schedule

 

You can also add times to any of your important dates. It’s really all about what you desire in a physical planner. Start with January, and move on through the year!

Add a calendar

 

8. Slip an 8.5 x 11 paper calendar behind the master list for easy reference and jotting notes.

9. When it’s a new week, place a piece of paper in front of the week prior, and fill the days up, along with adding the undone master list tasks.

How to use the tab sections

 

The tab sections come in super handy if you like details on a given subject that require frequent updating or overseeing.

Planning a trip? Open up the Travel tab, then when on the phone, write down all the details that will be easily found when needed.

Need a new grocery item? Open the Groceries tab, then jot it down. Before you go shopping, take a phone picture of the list to take with you.

Can't find the best day planner for you? Here's how to make your own DIY best daily planner specifically customized for your needs, using basic office stationery! Along with two shelf ideas to easily store the planner right on your kitchen counter. Full tutorial.
How I store the day planner

 

This day planner is fairly large. However I desired to use it in my kitchen phone station area where it’s most handy. So I created this industrial pipe shelf designed so the planner can slip underneath, giving me back my counter space again! It works awesome!

Learn how to make this shelf HERE

Can't find the best day planner for you? Here's how to make your own DIY best daily planner specifically customized for your needs, using basic office stationery! Along with two shelf ideas to easily store the planner right on your kitchen counter. Full tutorial.

Later, I made this stacked rustic wood shelf in the kitchen phone station to house the day planner the same way. Love this one even more!

See this shelf in the kitchen HERE

Learn how to make this shelf HERE

 

How to use the Spiral ring notebook

 

You may also notice, I have a spiral ringed notebook on the left side tucked inside the day planner.

How many times have you been on the phone wishing you had paper and pen in front of you? With a spiral ring notebook, you will never run out, and your note taking stays all in one spot!

I have a notebook beside the phone, 1 in the bedroom, 1 beside each computer, and 1 in my truck.

The notebook is labeled to where it’s meant to stay put (since they tend to ahem… travel).

Then on top of the page, the date is entered so it’s easy to remember when I took those notes.

Each time a page is flipped, the date is added again at the top.

This is the best system for random notes EVER! You never lose anything and have it handy for reference. It’s surprising how many times I need to go back and look something up!

Vintage green tackle box used as an office organizer | funkyjunkinteriors.net
How to make a toolbox office organizer

 

Because the upstairs was already organized, I decided to make this 2nd scheduler for my downstairs computer. But I needed a new idea to help organize needed office supplies.

That’s where this little beat up metal tackle box came in handy!

Miss Mustard Seed's Furniture Wax for cleaning up a vintage green tackle box used as an office organizer | funkyjunkinteriors.net
The toolbox was washed with hot soapy water, dried, then polished with a little of Miss Mustard Seed’s Furniture wax to bring out the lustre of the metal.

Hemp oil is fabulous for reviving old metal too! I was just out at the time.

HERE is a post on how I use oils and waxes to enhance finishes on wood and metal.


Vintage green tackle box office organizer with oil can receipt holders | funkyjunkinteriors.net
Love how the tackle-box office organizer offers different levels, and keeps everything together. Portable, too!

Vintage green tackle box office organizer with oil can receipt holders | funkyjunkinteriors.net
And if you have a couple of vintage oil cans, let them help you grab small notes / receipts, or hang masking tape.

Other toolbox office organizers

HERE is another toolbox organizer I used for my iPhone.

And a branch handled wood toolbox for this kitchen phone station.

Vintage ironing board office light | part of Cheap & easy day planner from standard office supplies with a tackle box organizer | funkyjunkinteriors.net | funkyjunkinteriors.net
My downstairs office is SO organized now!

Guess I’d better actually read the planner next, huh?

Cheap and easy DIY day planner made from standard office supplies. It's the best planner I've ever had and will only take minutes to make! | funkyjunkinteriors.net
Think this best daily planner could help you with some good organization habits for the new year too?

Visit my other must-do day planner helpers at:

 

How to get organized with your to-do lists with an easy clipboard checklist!

Get organized with this easy printable checklist

How to journal with a Big Dreams Journal List!

Learn how to help organize your day (and life!) with this Big Dream Journal List

Visit creative repurposed office decorating ideas HERE

Visit creative office setups HERE

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Categories: All Cool Projects, Blog Series, DIY, Junk Drawer, Organizing
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9 thoughts on “DIY your best daily planner using basic office supplies!

  1. You have simplified a planner so that even I can manage putting one together. I’ve always been able to remember things without having to write them down. But the older I get the less I can count on that trait. I’ve seen videos on You Tube about planners and many are too fancy smancy and overly decorated for my taste. Now thanks to your planner suggestion I feel I can put one to good use. Thanks so much for all your suggestions and tips I see and can use. I may not comment much but I’ve been enjoying your blog for many years. You’re to be commended for your willingness to share those brilliant ideas of yours.

  2. Love your easy, simple method. I have one similar but prefer the 5×7 size notebook…although I am an avid note taker, it still works, just add extra pages where needed.

    I must admit I do add some “fancy stickers or embellishments” at times, I am a paper crafter and mixed media type of gal. You enjoy working as a wood/junk artist,,,,,,I do it with paper, paste and paint.

    Thanks for sharing.

  3. Thank you for the notebook tips. I was so loving the ironing board with the plants, tool box and shelf. The rustic style and reuse of objects is awesome. Thanks for all the fun ideas.

  4. I actually have an old toolbox sitting in my garage right now, just waiting to be put to use! And I’m already making a list of all the things I’m going to put in it. And I love the simplicity of the planner. I’m just starting out on my blog and have tried so many different planning ideas but nothing seems to fit the bill so far. I’m going to put one together like yours tonight! Sometimes simple is better!
    Also, what a cute idea with the old ironing board! Is it a full size one? I have a full size one that needs put to use as well but I don’t want to paint it or anything as it was my grandma’s. I used to use it as a plant stand as well but then moved and haven’t come up with a new use for it yet.
    I love your site and have followed you for years as my love of funky junk has grown! I now have a page on my blog just for junky to funky projects. Inspired by following your blog! Thank you! Lori

    • Thank you Lori! Yes, the ironing board is full size. It’s just a really big desk. 🙂 Maybe yours needs to become a desk lamp too! haha

      Thank you for following along all this time! So appreciated and cool to hear where your own inspired self is going with all this!

  5. I’ve been keeping a planner similar to yours using a large notebook, dividing each page into my useful categories. Never thought of using a binder tho. I’ll give it a try.

    I divide my pages, by a center line for 3/4’s of the page, inside to do list and outside to do list. Bottom 1/4 of the page is divided into notes, to buy, msmts (measurements), etc. i cross out with simple line when done. When enough is crossed off, I rewrite/redraw a new page. I have another notebook for projects. I don’t start a project wo a inspiration pic, detailed steps, costs and specs.

    This is where the binder would be useful. I use binders a lot but never thought of using a binder to combine my notebooks. “Duh”. Thank you so much for binder/planner tip. Definitely going to use your tip.

  6. Hi Donna….. Love you whole blog and superhappy with your planner. I have been using spiral notebooks for years and years. Sure works for me!! Blessings and smiles?

  7. I have followed you for sometime, just recently signed up for your newsletters. I enjoy your use of old things. At one time in my life I had to shop thrift stores and yard sales to decorate and even get clothing for my young children. I too was a single parent – trying to make the ends meet. Through the years as the children have grown (which happens way to fast) my earnings are better and have less expenses…but I still shop thrift stores, yard sales and find I DONT WANT NEW. There is a place in my soul for things worn. Keep doing what you are doing. I think your posts and projects are fabulous and I will continue to follow.
    Writing to you from Fremont NH

    • Thank you Drusilla, and I 100% am on board with the prefer-old-to-new bandwagon. Old things just tell such a wonderful story and their patina cannot be reproduced. I’ll do my best to bring more of the old antiques into play in the new year!

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