Ever since I was a little girl I’ve loved planners. I used to use the free ones at school that they’d give at the beginning of the year. I wrote down my homework, tracked my after-school activities, and used it as a daily schedule.
As someone who is online all day, every day, it is so nice to get to physically write things down on a piece of paper. There’s something really reassuring about having all the day’s to-dos written down in a neatly organized list. And nothing feels better than getting to check a to-do box as done. Planners truly help keep me sane.
As I’ve gotten older, my taste in planners has changed, but my love for them has only grown. I thought it would be fun to share my picks for the best planners of 2016! They’re pretty and functional, and will help keep you organized in the new year.
Best Planners of 2016
If you’re willing to splurge:
The Day Designer Flagship planner is the Rolls-Royce of planners. I’ve used one for the last two years and absolutely love it. They sell a cheaper version at Anthropologie that is very similar, just with less thick cardstock and in a slightly smaller shape.
If you’re willing to wait:
This Ban.do planner has got to be the hottest planner out there right now. It’s colorful, fun, very similar to the Day Designer, and also a heck of a lot cheaper. Unfortunately, it’s sold out everywhere. My guess is they’ll be restocking after Christmas, so if you’re okay getting your planner on or near January 1st, this one looks pretty great.
If you want something cute, (more) affordable, and now:
Kate Spade | Lilly Pulitzer | Sugar Paper | Rifle Paper Co.
I am in love with all of these planners.
- In college I used and was obsessed with Lilly Pulitzer planners. They’re bright and colorful and kept me organized between classes and parties and fun with friends.
- My in-laws just bought me the Kate Spade planner for my birthday so that is now my 2016 planner. I’m really loving it so far.
- I just bought the Sugar Paper planner for my blog. It’s a light version of a planner that gives a month overview at a time with plenty of space for notes. It’s adorable, and at only $7.99 is the perfect planner for keeping track of my blog editorial calendar.
- I have not used a Rifle Paper Co. planner before, but I am a huge fan of the company. I have a lot of their to-do lists and a yearly calendar that is a work of art. One year I’ll try this planner out. Until then, if you do, make sure to let me know what you think of it!
Questions of the Day: Do you prefer organizing your thoughts on paper or on a screen? Are you a fan of planners? Have you tried any of the ones I mentioned?
I love having paper planners! It’s funny since I am always on my computer that I don’t end up using an online planner, but there is just something about writing it all down that helps me get better organized. Love that Kate Spade planner!
I am looking for the great planner. Thanks for sharing this!
I have a smaller Day Designer right now, which works. I REALLY want an Erin Condren planner, but am not quite ready to make that splurge yet.
Cute! I used the Emily Ley Simplified Planner last year and loved it so much that I’m gifting it to myself for Christmas again this year 😉
Oh gosh, I want all of these!! They are all so cute! Great round up though, I really need to get myself organised next year. I started so well this year, but it kind of waned by July… :/ If I had a cute planner I’d be way more inclined to get organised!
I asked for an Erin Condren planner this year for Christmas and I hope that I get it!
Oh gosh! I love planners. I have since I was in high school. I still use one all the time.
I love planners! Last year I ordered one from Plum Paper on Etsy and it’s amazing. Great suggestions
Planners are a HUGE HUGE HUGE DEAL for me!!! I am going to order one over my XMAS break … And when I return to this country … It will be waiting at my doorstep! 😀
So many great planners mentioned, I’m a simplified planner girl and cannot wait to set mine up for the new year!
I have the Purposeful Planner by Corie Clark and I absolutely love it! It has its own page for every day of the week with places to track water intake, an hourly schedule, and she even puts in a little 15 minute task each day. It’s so nice
I have the Purposful planner by Corie Clark and I absolutely love it! It has a page for everyday (or you can get a weekly version) and it has a place to track water intake, an hourly schedule, tasks, menu and brain dump. She also puts a 15 minute task on each day for you to do. It’s such a gorgeous planner.
You got me hooked on the Kate Spade planners ever since you gifted me one for my birthday last year! I love that they are cute, but are still professional-looking.
Love all of these!! Great gifts! xo
http://publiclivessecretrecipes.com/2015/12/public-lives-eat-travel-rock-secret-recipes-cannoli-french-toast.html
I absolutely love having paper planners because they are so much easier for me to get my mind straight. I just started my blog and I am searching for a planner that would fit well for my blogging needs.
I love using paper planners! I have that exact Lilly one and am loving it. I also love how they made the bigger version too. For me, the bigger the planner, the better!
I have an Erin Condron planner this year. I needed more space for writing. I love paper planners instead of electronic as I can see many dates and entries at once. I know what is ahead.
I’m still trying to find the best planner that is the most compact. I will have to look at the rifle company.
LOVE! I’ve tried moving away from paper planners but I just can’t. I love my Erin Condren and I’m tempted to buy an Emily Ley. although cost wise I do love the Sugar Paper Planners from Target1
THANK YOU FOR THIS POST! GOD BLESS YOU! I just recently became obsessed with planners and I was just saying I need/want a new one! This is life for me right now!
I am due to order a new planner I will definitely consider this one
I have to have a vertical layout in a planner, so I have been suckered into an Erin Condren before. This year I ordered from SHP Planners on Etsy, and even with shipping from British Columbia it was about 1/2 the price of Erin Condren and fits my needs perfectly without an extras. (Realistically not going to plan my meals or write weekly fitness goals.) Anyway, I highly recommend it and it also fits perfectly into my purse–another must!
Wow! They’re just so amazing!!
I’ve always been obsessed with my Lilly planners, but I started using one from Levenger and I’m a convert now!
Mary Kate
http://www.mynewchicagolife.com
Oh my gosh. I’ve literally been searching for a new planner, so your post came at the exact right moment! I’ve been thinking about buying the Day Designer – I think your post clinched it for me! Thanks for sharing!
Totally a fan of planners and pretty much any office stuff you can think of! Those are beautiful planners, I just added the Lily Pulitzer one to my wishlist and that led me down the office supply rabbit hole ha
I also love using Evernote and Trello but nothing beats an engagement calendar. Love them! I have separate ones for clients and currently have 2 of my own geesh, I clearly have a problem!
I’m just a planner/journal lover! I’ve been using Erin Condren since 2011, and this year got really into it. I just recently purchased the new hourly layout AND LOVE IT!!! If you or anyone needs a $10 off link, let me know!! Also, SEVERAL Staples locations are carrying EC, so take a look next time you’re there!! That way you can see/touch and thumb through pages etc. then order custom covers etc. from the website. 🙂
Right now I’m using a passion planning, and an 85 notebook, along with some blank journals to plan out my business homework and personal plans
I actually use a good old Dairy and have all my weekly and Monthly plans out on Google Calendar and docs. Its so much easier for me. YET i am literally sold on having a Real pen and paper planner..to bu or not to by Hmm!
decisions decisions 🙂
I am obsessed with planners. Writing things down makes me remember stuff so much better than typing it. I have not tried any of the planners you listed, but they all seem really great. To be honest, this is the first year I actually hunted for a planner to fit my needs. Before I was a serious blogger, I never understood the different types of planners. I totally get it now and am LOVING my new planner. It was on the cheaper side, but works great for my use.
I love all of these.
Right now I am using an Erin Condren planner and a sugar paper one for my blog.
xoxo, Jenny
I am an agenda-holic. I live and breathe agendas (haha!) I love this post, thanks for sharing!
XO, Ashley | itsapashion.com
This is so awesome because I am ordering my planners for 2016 on amazon now. I just got my refills for my Filofax and I need another for my blog. Thank you so much 🙂 🙂
The Day Designer is so pretty! But I’m very much hooked on my Erin Condren. I currently have two of them. One for personal/school and a second one for my blog and freelance work 🙂 I recommend it to everyone.
My gosh, all these planners are so pretty, I’d have a hard time picking one! Thank you for sharing, I will have to go through each one to see which fits my planner needs!!
Wow this is something my wife would totally be into. Love all the variety and colors.
That spotted and turquoise Day Designer is the one I use. I love it, it helps keep me so organized, and I actually can physically SEE my to-do list, which I love. No more iPhone notes.
I like the pretty looks of planners, but speaking from experience they wouldn’t do much for me. I prefer typing on screen, because thanks to the cloud, I can take it around everywhere without the extra weight in my bag.
I prefer typing on screen. Although I love the look of pretty planners, they just would t work for me.
What a perfect blog post for me to read today! I have been really wanting a day designer so I am excited to see it on here!
I have an Erin Condren planner and I love it. It keeps me extremely organized. I have also had the Kate Spade planner and loved it. Great picks for planners!
I must say these planners are tempting. I think my reason for not using one is I’m a messy writer. Even in my aper calendar I start off in pencil so I can erase but inevitably grab a pen, things get crossed out- you got the picture. Trying to work with a paper weekly & a monthly onlibe one.
So ready to get myself a planner for 2016. Thanks for rounding them all up!
I love all of these! I need to get mine for next year. I am a huge ran of rifle paper co. as they are based in Winter Park where I’m from!
Thanks for these…I was wondering what good planners are our there. I feel like I need something to keep me organized.
Lots of cute planners!!! I always have to have a planner.
These are very pretty! I would love almost all of these! It would be hard to pick just one between all of the great options. I really need to get a planner for 2016. Doing without one this year has been chaotic, to say the least.
These are great! I love the Kate Spade one! That was so sweet of your in-laws! It looks like Bloomies is sold out of them though 🙁
XO
-Dara
http://www.peoniesandbees.com
Ohhh great idea for a round-up!! I am in love with planners and have to stop myself from buying them during the year (when I already have a planner haha). I’ve been using the sugar ones since Target has them. And I buy allthethings at Target. 🙂
Love this post! Makes choosing much easier!