What Is a Junk Journal? (And What to Put in One)

A junk journal is a handmade or repurposed book filled with collaged paper scraps, ephemera, and mixed media instead of plain blank pages. It is part scrapbook, part art journal, and part diary, built from materials most people would throw away, with no rules about how it should look or what goes inside.

The word “junk” is the key to the whole idea. The pages are made from things headed for the recycling bin: old envelopes, book pages, packaging, tickets, stamps, and scrap paper. You collect that “junk,” layer it into a book, and the result is something personal and tactile. People use junk journals as diaries, memory keepers, creative outlets, or simply as a relaxing way to work with their hands.

This page answers the common questions clearly: what a junk journal actually is, how it differs from a scrapbook or smash book, what it is used for, and what you put inside. If you want to start one after reading, we will point you to the right next step.

The short version: A junk journal is a DIY book of repurposed paper and ephemera, collaged into pages. It overlaps with scrapbooks (more photo-focused and planned) and smash books (faster and more casual) but is looser and more layered than both. There are no rules: write in it, decorate it, or both.

What is a junk journal, exactly?

A junk journal is a book, often handmade or made from a repurposed one, whose pages are built from layered paper scraps and ephemera rather than left blank. The appeal is that it turns discarded, everyday materials into something beautiful and personal.

A few things define it:

• Repurposed materials. The pages and contents come from “junk”: book pages, packaging, mail, fabric scraps, and found paper.
• Layered and tactile. Pages are collaged with overlapping paper, pockets, and texture, not written on a flat blank sheet.
• No rules. There is no correct layout, theme, or skill level. Imperfect and personal is the point.
• Mixed purpose. It can be decorative, a diary, a memory book, or all three at once.

If you want the full hobby walkthrough rather than just the definition, our complete guide to junk journaling covers getting started, supplies, and ideas.

Junk journal vs scrapbook vs smash book

The difference is mostly about structure and focus: scrapbooks are planned and photo-led, smash books are fast and casual, and junk journals are layered, tactile, and rule-free. In practice they overlap, and many people blend all three.

Type	Main focus	How structured	Typical materials
Junk journal	Repurposed paper and ephemera, collaged	Low, no rules	Book pages, ephemera, fabric, found paper
Scrapbook	Photos and memories, curated	High, often planned	Photos, cardstock, themed embellishments
Smash book	Quick capture of bits and mementos	Very low, casual	Tickets, notes, stickers, whatever fits
Art journal	Painting, drawing, mixed media art	Varies	Paint, ink, collage, mixed media

The honest takeaway: the labels matter less than what you enjoy. If you are gluing saved bits into a book, you are junk journaling, even if it borrows from the others.

What is a junk journal used for?

People use junk journals as creative outlets, diaries, memory keepers, and planners, or just as a relaxing hobby. There is no single purpose, which is part of why the craft appeals to such different people.

Common uses:

• A creative outlet. Collaging pages is a low-pressure way to make something with no skill required.
• A diary or journal. Many people write entries among the layers, mixing words and visuals.
• A memory keeper. Travel mementos, ticket stubs, photos, and keepsakes get a home.
• A themed keepsake. Gardening, reading, recipes, or a single trip can each get their own journal.
• A relaxation practice. The repetitive, hands-on work is calming and screen-free.

Why people get hooked: A junk journal is one of the few crafts with no failure state. You are rescuing things you would have thrown out, so nothing is wasted and nothing can be “ruined.” That low-stakes feeling is exactly what makes it so relaxing, and why people who start one rarely stop at one.

What do you put in a junk journal?

You put repurposed paper and ephemera in a junk journal: book pages, envelopes, tickets, stamps, packaging, fabric, photos, tags, and writing. Anything flat (or flat enough) with a color, texture, or memory attached is fair game.

Common contents:

• Paper: book and dictionary pages, sheet music, scrapbook paper, kraft paper, printables.
• Ephemera: tickets, receipts, stamps, postcards, labels, maps, tea wrappers.
• Textiles and bits: lace, ribbon, fabric scraps, buttons, twine.
• Personal pieces: photos, handwritten notes, quotes, pressed flowers, keepsakes.
• Interactive elements: pockets, tags, and tuck spots for tucking things in.

For a complete rundown of materials and where to find them cheap or free, see the junk journal supplies list and our free printables roundup.

Do you have to write in a junk journal?

No, writing is optional. Some people keep theirs purely visual, some use them as a daily diary, and many land somewhere in between with occasional notes, quotes, or dates. The journal is yours to use however you like.

That flexibility is a feature. If you love to write, a junk journal gives your words a rich, layered backdrop. If you do not, it works just as well as a visual collage book. Neither approach is more “correct” than the other.

How do you start a junk journal?

You start by choosing a base book, gathering some saved paper, and collaging your first page. It takes very little: a notebook, a glue stick, and a handful of scraps are enough to begin today.

We keep the full walkthrough separate so this page can stay focused on what a junk journal is. When you are ready to make one, our step-by-step guide to junk journaling takes you from blank book to first page, and junk journals for beginners has easy first projects.

Frequently asked questions

What is the point of a junk journal?

The point is the making and the keeping: a low-pressure, hands-on way to use up saved materials and hold memories or ideas in a personal book. Some use theirs as a diary, others purely as a creative or relaxing outlet.

What is the difference between a junk journal and a scrapbook?

A scrapbook is usually planned and photo-focused with curated pages, while a junk journal is looser, layered, and built from repurposed paper and ephemera. Junk journals have no rules; scrapbooks tend to follow a plan.

What do you put in a junk journal?

Repurposed paper and ephemera: book pages, envelopes, tickets, stamps, packaging, fabric, photos, tags, and writing. Anything flat with a color, texture, or memory attached can go in.

Do you write in a junk journal?

Only if you want to. Some journals are purely visual collage, some are written diaries, and many mix both. There is no requirement to include words.

Is junk journaling the same as smash booking?

They are close. A smash book is a quick, casual book you “smash” mementos into, while a junk journal is usually more layered and handmade. The two overlap, and people often blend the approaches.

Ready to make one?

Now that you know what a junk journal is, the best next step is to make a single page and feel it for yourself. It needs almost nothing to start, and the first page is where the whole craft clicks.

From here, our step-by-step guide gets your first page going, the supplies list covers what you need, and the complete beginner’s guide ties it all together.

Want to start today? Our free printable starter kit gives you vintage paper, tags, and pockets to fill your first pages. Sign up below and we will send it over.