The Ultimate Planner Guide
I love the feeling of cracking open a new planner for the new year and starting afresh. However, there are so many options to choose from and it’s hard to narrow down which one is the perfect one for you. So, I decided to help this process by researching what’s out there, polling my IG audience (you!), and creating a guide with all of the in-depth details and features you need to know about when picking out the perfect planner. In this process, I’ve narrowed it down to 14 planner brands, each with their own way of helping you schedule, track, reflect, and organize in 2021. Without further ado, I present to you the Ultimate Planner Guide!
A-Journal
For the busy planner
The A-Planner is a year-round 2021 diary with a beautiful linen cover that includes plenty of space for planning, lists and schedules. Each month starts with a handcrafted illustration, a monthly overview and a monthly planner. It also has room to write about well-being, social events, work, health, and reflection on the past month, as well as your intentions for the new month.
Golden Coil
For the ultimate planner lover
Golden Coil planners are great due to their super sleek, minimal and fully customizable design. No two planners are the same! Their color options are lovely, with muted pastel tones, simple patterns and of course - a golden coil to make the binding. You can choose the page layouts that work for you so that everything is exactly where you need it to be.
STIL Classics
For the productive planner
The STIL Classics 2021 planner includes monthly calendars, weekly task planning, scheduling and fun quotes. They also have a new monthly section that has billing & expense tracking as well as space to add in your daily rituals and goals. Each planner has a convenient front pocket and laminated front tabs to keep everything together in an orderly fashion.
Maisie Lane Co.
For the creative soul
These planners were made for the creative soul. With dot grids for bullet journaling, cute gold decals on each cover, and an option to purchase Washi Tape for extra decoration, these beautiful agendas are easy on the eyes. They are made with soft vegan faux leather and include dainty gold foil doodles on the cover and spine, letting this book easily stand out on your shelf. Inside, there are 192 pages of thick, 160gsm semi-smooth white paper ensuring no issues with ink bleeding.
Bloom Planner
For the fun planner
Bloom planners are super fun and cute with many unique and modern cover patterns to choose from. Each soft cover planner comes with a free sticker sheet and bookmark. The company boasts that “…it’s more than just a planner - it's your paper life coach, accountability partner, and personal cheerleader.” With this in mind, as well as their spacious layouts for monthly and weekly planning, I’m certainly on board!
Appointed
For the uncomplicated planner
Simple, elegant design doesn’t even begin to cover the beautiful layout of these planners. If you’re into neutral, minimal aesthetics, then this one is for you! With a water resistant linen bookcloth cover and recycled stock that resists bleed through, this is the perfect daybook to take on the go. Their stock includes monthly and yearly planners as well as a variety of desk calendars.
Cambridge
For the budget-conscious planner
Cambridge planners give you the functionality you need and the styles you want - from daily, weekly, and monthly layouts, they have you covered all year round. There are a variety of color options for everyone and with prices as low as $12.00, these planners are an easy, affordable option for school or work.
Passion Planners
For the budding entrepreneur
Passion Planners are also customizable, with the ability to choose whether you want your week to start on Sunday or Monday. Each book has clear formatting, to-do lists, and weekly quotes. They also have sections that promote a weekly focus and reflection on positive moments, as well as a “space of infinite possibility.” Other key attributes are shaded monthly tabs and sustainably sourced paper.
Tula Xii
For the planner that needs extreme customization
These planners are great because you can choose your own inserts from over 100 different choices. They are fully customizable with many different sizing options and accessories to choose from. You can even keep your own cover each year and just update the inserts for an easy refresh whenever you need it.
Simplified by Emily Ley
For the busy mother
Founded by mom-of-three, Emily Ley, Simplified's mission is to inspire and empower women with the tools they need to simplify their lives. The Simplified Planner® has changed the lives of hundreds of thousands of women around the world with its minimal and meaningful pages. These planners are a bit of an investment, but certainly worth it if you are the type of person to use a planner every day. They have daily and weekly editions and even expanded their line by creating planners exclusively for teachers or brides. Not to mention, the colorful tabs make it super easy to find your place at a moment’s notice.
Plum Paper
For the major organizer
Plum Paper planners are another great customizable option. With personalized covers, custom holidays and events, and an option to choose your start month, these books take organization to a whole new level. Their colors are simple and calming and they even have the option to add pages that help with meal plans, budgeting, and wellness. Another unique feature is the option to join Plum Planner’s sticker subscription program, with new planner stickers delivered to your door each month (now that sounds pretty amazing to me).
Rifle Paper Co.
For the simple planner
Rifle Paper Co. is known for their pretty patterns, unique designs, and feminine touches, and this reputation is certainly upheld for their planner collection. For people that love aesthetics (like me), these planner will look good on your desk and offer a simple, affordable, and straightforward option to planning.
The Every Girl Planner
For the wellness lover
The Every Girl Planner, sold at Target, combines planning and daily wellness in a seamless way. With sections dedicated to goals, finances, physical health, mental health, routines, and monthly rituals, this planner/life tracker is perfect for those that need a major jumpstart to the year. With mindfulness at the forefront and a super user-friendly layout, this planner is great for every girl! It also includes fun stickers and a ruler and comes in pretty pastel colors.
Mossery Co.
For the quirky planner
These planners stand out due to their 49 unique, artistic cover options. From cute doodles, to intricate illustrations, each cover is sure to make you smile. These planners include options for horizontal or vertical weekly layouts and also have full-year or half-year options. They even sell amazing planner kits with sticker packs, writing utensils, calendar cards, bookmarks and more.
