You've always wanted to try your hand at making scrapbooks. But looking at the samples online, from websites like Pinterest and Instagram, you can't help but think that only people with an eye for design can pull such stunning scrapbook pages.

Nothing can be farther from the truth.

Sure, the pros have drool-worthy scrapbook layouts that seem effortless without being contrived. The truth is, you can design stunning scrapbook pages even if you do not have a background in design.

However, there are a few basics that you need to learn and master first before you can make a scrapbook layout similar to the ones you see online.

Design principles for scrapbook pages

Whatever type of artwork you want to get into, if you wish to take photos, paint, or make a creative scrapbook, there are a few principles that you have to be aware of.

Scrapbook layout principle: Unity

Unity is a key design principle that you can see in various art forms, including scrapbook layouts. This design principle makes sure that your work, in this case, scrapbook pages, looks complete, unified, and pleasing to the eye.

You can achieve unity in your layout for your scrapbook by repeating the use of a few design elements.

Scrapbook layout principle: Balance

Unity is not uniformity. If everything on your scrapbook page looks uniform, the people who will look at it can become bored.

This is where balance comes in. In laying out a scrapbook, you can achieve balance by either repeating some design elements or using contrast to generate both balance and interest.

Scrapbook layout principle: Emphasis

Go to the websites you check for scrapbooking ideas and look at the works of others.

What draws your attention to this collection of scrapbooks?

Most likely, you are drawn to a scrapbook because the person who created it followed the principle of emphasis.

Scrapbooking entails the use of different design elements, from pictures to embellishments. However, these design elements do not carry the same weight.

In art, the most important element takes center stage. In scrapbooking, that element is most likely the picture.

With the photos as the primary design element, the other factors highlight the pictures, drawing the attention of the people seeing the scrapbook pages to them.

Scrapbook layout principle: Contrast

As mentioned earlier, uniformity does not create unity.

To create emphasis and generate interest for each scrapbook page, you need to apply the principle of contrast.

You can do this by using a variety of colors and materials.

Try mixing and matching bright and subdued colors, smooth and rough textures, big and small pictures.

The great thing about using the principle of contrast is that you can experiment until you get your desired effect for your scrapbook.

Scrapbook layout principle: Movement

It may sound counterintuitive, but the movement is a key design principle used in the visual arts.

But how can you generate movement in a static scrapbook page?

In the visual arts, movements mean having a natural flow from one element to another. When looking at a well-designed scrapbook layout, you will notice that your eyes move from one design element to another and not just the focal point.

From theory to your next scrapbook page

Now that you have a fair idea of the design principles you need when laying out a scrapbook page, it is now time to put theory into action.

Use these tips when laying out a scrapbook page.

Start with a theme

If you want a scrapbook page layout that pops and generates attention, it is a good idea to select a theme before you even begin working.

For example, you can create a scrapbook for a baby's first trip to your parents. Or maybe Junior's baseball games.

Having a theme will also make it easier for you to choose photos for your scrapbook page layout.

Another pro tip you can use before actually working on your scrapbook is to draft a rough sketch for each page. This will help you visualize where each element needs to be placed.

Photo arrangement

Don't know how to arrange photos on a scrapbook page?

Remember the principles of emphasis, balance, and movement.

Start by choosing a photo that will serve as the focal point of a scrapbook page. To highlight this picture, there are a few things you can do, like moving it to the side, enlarging it, tilting it, or using layers around it.

It would also be helpful to crop your photo to remove unwanted elements in the background and make it more interesting.

After placing the focal photo on the scrapbook page, you can turn your attention to creating balance and flow. To do that, you can experiment with the other design elements. Try using smaller photos and embellishments. Play around with the placement of your embellishments.

Choose the right scrapbook page background

Make your scrapbook layout tighter by choosing the right background.

A simple rule of thumb to follow is to choose a background color that complements your primary picture.

Taking cues from your photo, you can add embellishments that complement your main picture.

Make your first scrapbook now

Armed with different theories and principles of scrapbook design, you can now start making your first one.

At first, you might make several revisions to your original scrapbooking ideas. But as you get the hang of it, you will see that scrapbooking is not as hard as you imagine it to be.