If you’ve ever looked at a beautifully layered journal page and thought, “I wish I could make something like that, but I don’t even know where to start”—you’re not alone.
Most people don’t begin journaling with a clear style. They start with a blank page, a few supplies, and a lot of hesitation. The good news is that washi tape (especially scenic or PET-style tapes) makes it surprisingly easy to build a page that already looks “finished,” even if you’re a complete beginner.
In this guide, we’ll walk through simple, realistic ways to use washi tape in your journal, plus scenic page ideas you can try right away. We’ll also show how products from MOOBOOM can help you create more layered, visual storytelling pages without needing advanced drawing skills.
Why PET or Washi Tape Works So Well for Journaling
Washi tape is popular in journaling for one simple reason: it does most of the visual work for you.
Instead of building a scene from scratch, you’re basically placing ready-made atmosphere onto the page.
Scenic washi or PET tapes are especially useful because they often include:
- Landscapes (streets, gardens, seaside, mountains)
- Architectural scenes (buildings, cafés, small towns)
- Nature elements (trees, rivers, skies)
- Pre-cut sections that feel like “mini illustrations”
This means even a plain notebook page can instantly feel like a travel memory or a themed story.
For beginners, that removes the biggest barrier: not knowing what to draw or how to compose a page.
Getting Started: What You Actually Need
You don’t need a full craft studio. A simple setup is enough:
- A notebook or journal (preferably thicker paper)
- Scissors (if your tape isn’t pre-cut)
- Glue stick or double-sided tape (optional)
- Washi/PET scenic tape
- A pen for small notes or captions
That’s it.
The real focus is not tools—it’s how you combine pieces on the page.
Basic Technique: Think Like a “Scene Builder”
Instead of thinking “I’m decorating a page,” try thinking:
“I’m building a small world inside this page.”
Every journal spread can be broken into 3 simple layers:
1. Background (Mood)
This sets the atmosphere. You can use:
- Light-colored tape strips
- Sky or landscape backgrounds
- Soft gradient-style pieces
2. Main Scene (Focus)
This is the “story” of your page:
- A street corner
- A garden view
- A seaside moment
- A cozy café scene
3. Details (Emotion)
These are small finishing touches:
- Stickers
- Handwritten notes
- Dates or short quotes
- Tiny decorative elements
Once you understand this structure, journaling becomes much easier.
Scenic Page Ideas You Can Try (Beginner-Friendly)
Here are some simple but effective page ideas using washi tape. You don’t need advanced skills—just layering and placement.
1. “Weekend Walk in the City” Page
Use city-themed scenic tape to create a vertical street view.
How to build it:
- Place a tall cityscape strip on one side
- Add a small “walking path” or road tape at the bottom
- Write a short caption like: “Slow Sunday morning walk”
Why it works:
It feels like a snapshot from a travel diary, even if you never left home.
2. “Quiet Garden Afternoon” Spread
Perfect for soft, relaxing journaling.
How to build it:
- Use garden or floral scenic tape as the base
- Layer light green or beige strips behind it
- Add a short handwritten note like: “Everything felt slower today”
This kind of page doesn’t need complexity. The mood is already built into the tape.
3. “Seaside Memory Page”
If you like ocean or travel aesthetics, this one is very easy to do.
How to build it:
- Place ocean or beach-themed tape horizontally
- Leave white space above for writing
- Add a date or location name
Even a single strip of seaside scenery can carry the entire page.
4. “Dream Travel Journal Page”
This is where scenic tapes really shine.
You can mix:
- Buildings
- Streets
- Nature scenes
Simple layout idea:
- Top: sky or skyline tape
- Middle: city or travel scene
- Bottom: handwritten notes or stickers
It feels like a collage of memories, even if it’s fictional or inspirational.
How Beginners Make Pages Look “Advanced”
There’s a common misconception that aesthetic journaling requires artistic talent. In reality, it’s mostly about spacing and layering.
Here are a few simple tricks:
Leave Empty Space
Don’t cover the entire page. White space makes everything look more intentional.
Stick to One Theme Per Page
City, garden, seaside—don’t mix everything together.
Use Repetition
Repeating colors or tones (like greens, blues, or warm browns) makes the page feel cohesive.
Tear or Cut Edges Slightly
Even small imperfections make it feel more handmade and natural.
Where to Find Scenic Washi Tape That Actually Helps Beginners
If you’re just starting out, the hardest part is usually finding tapes that already look like finished scenes instead of random patterns.
That’s where curated scenic collections become useful. On MOOBOOM, you’ll find landscape-style PET tapes and journaling sets designed specifically for layering scenes directly into notebooks.
Instead of building every detail from scratch, you can simply:
- Peel
- Place
- Layer
- Write
And the page already feels complete.
This is especially helpful if you don’t have time to draw or you just want something that looks good quickly.
Common Beginner Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
1. Overcrowding the Page
Too many tapes = visual chaos. Stick to 1–2 focal elements.
2. Mixing Too Many Themes
A garden + city + ocean on one page usually doesn’t work.
3. Ignoring White Space
White space is not “empty”—it’s part of the design.
4. Not Planning Layout First
Even a rough idea in your head helps a lot before sticking anything down.
Final Thoughts: Start Simple, Then Build Your Style
Journaling with washi tape is not about perfection. It’s about creating small visual moments that feel personal.
You don’t need advanced drawing skills or complex layouts. You just need:
- A theme
- A few scenic tapes
- And the willingness to experiment
After a few pages, you’ll naturally develop your own style without even noticing.
And that’s usually the moment journaling stops feeling like a craft—and starts feeling like a habit you actually enjoy.
If you’re ready to start building your own scenic journal pages, explore different landscape-style collections at MOOBOOM and try creating your first themed spread today.
