Get Organized Before the New Year With the Best Planners

Let’s be real: There are few things more satisfying than crossing something off your to-do list. If this brings you as much joy as it brings us, then you’re probably already on the lookout for a planner to kick off the new year. When it comes to staying on top of all your daily tasks, we’d argue that paper is often better than a digital screen. Sticky notes are fine for in-the-moment reminders, and wall calendars are great for keeping tabs on big events each month, but it’s nice to have something a bit more robust to keep your long-term goals on track, too. 

And the best planners aren’t just about what’s on the inside (though colorful boxes to check off are nice). Our roundup, below, takes into account eye-catching covers, whether it’s a bold pattern (hello, scallops, stripes, and checkerboards in punchy palettes), classic florals, or bright colors in woven textures. We guarantee purchasing one of these beauties will have your coworker asking, “Where did you get that?” after your next in-person meeting or Zoom call. Because, hey, isn’t part of the fun of owning a planner showing it off?

Our Favorite Planner Brands

• Best for eclectic patterns: Papier 
• Best for relaxed styles: Milligram
• Best for block colors: Poketo
• Best for spiral bindings: Appointed
• Best for floral designs: Rifle Paper Co.

Best for Eclectic Patterns: Papier 

Date range: November 2022–December 2023 | Dimensions: A5 | Format: Weekly and monthly  

Why we chose it: A stationary company that pairs high-quality paper with design-collab covers. 

With both in-house designs and collaborations with iconic fashion brands and up-and-coming creatives (think: ceramists and stylists), Papier covers have an added touch of whimsy that we have fallen head over heels for. A sweet scalloped binding? It’s actually a Matilda Goad original (and comes in six fun color combos). This colorful block print? It’s serving nail art vibes à la influencer Lauren Ladnier. An optical illusion–like curvy stripe? Proof that the ’70s will never die. The 2023 diary style continues to be our ultimate favorite. With thick paper, a “To See and Do” column, monthly goals, important dates, wish lists, and unlined weekly overviews, Papier planners really do seem to have it all (even a ribbon marker so you’ll never lose your place). 

Best for Relaxed Styles: Milligram

Date range: December 2022–December 2023 | Dimensions: A5 | Format: Weekly or monthly  

Why we chose it: Streamlined and simple. 

For the creative folks who like a little more freedom when it comes to structuring their day, Australian company Milligram’s minimalist design features low-key date markings where you can fill in the blank. The look and feel of this planner is all up to you; choose between grid, ruled, and dot formats (think: bullet journal styles). The paper is fountain pen–friendly, and the elastic closure keeps any loose notes in place. And though the woven linen cover is an elevated textural touch, if you’re worried about it getting a few nicks in your bag during your commute to work or neighborhood café, don’t fret: It comes with a protective sleeve just for that reason (and the cool moonlike or sunset-inspired ombre artworks isn’t too shabby to look at either).  

Best for Block Colors: Poketo

Date range: 18 or 12 months (Undated) | Dimensions: 8.25-by-11.75 inches | Format: Monthly 

Why we chose it: Elevate everyday tasks with bright colors and a cheerful design that’s perfect for people who like to look ahead.  

Spoiler alert: Domino editors love Poketo. The brand feels like a ray of sunshine—this generously sized option included, thanks to its warm hues. Past the front page, you’re greeted with a simplified weekly grid sans numbers and dates, just a minimal M, T, W, T, F, S, S for the week. The monthly format keeps things slim and compact; despite fitting in so many days, the planner is only 80 pages, so it won’t fight for storage in your bag and is easy to tuck under your elbow for the walk from your desk to the conference room. For more in-depth lists (or just mindless doodles), take to the back of the book, where there are both extra lined and blank pages. It’s an easy-to-use option for those who prefer to plan ahead. 

Best for Spiral Bindings: Appointed

Date range: January–December 2023 | Dimensions: 7.5-by-9.5 inches | Format: Weekly or monthly  

Why we chose it: Hardcover spirals that will always lay flat. 

New to the scene, this planner’s brass spiral binding first caught our eye for having both a standard format and top-to-bottom look (though it’s nearly sold out). And while the bookcloth cover comes in just a few, earthy tones, the simplicity stops there. Inside, each month provides a top-level overview with sections calling attention to special dates and holidays, offers an hourly break down for each day of the week, plus a quarterly goals spread. Each month is indicated by a laminated tab for easy access. Though there are plenty of alternatives, if you prefer something smaller (there’s the compact task planner and a daily planner or something refillable, in which case the brand-new binder format is worth checking out (plus, you can still add a foil-stamped monogram).

Best for Floral Designs: Rifle Paper Co.

Date Range: August 2022–December 2023 and January–December 2023 | Dimensions: 7.75-by-9.75 inches and 5.5-by-3.5 inches | Format: Monthly 

Why we chose it: This planner makes it feel like spring every day, no matter the time of year. 

Ready to upgrade from your Lily Pulitzer days? Rifle Paper Co. offers classic, sophisticated floral patterns that will never feel out of style. Our particular picks, with bright, hand-painted buds against a contrasting black cover, extends the lovely illustrations to the pages, and the binding is sewn, making this feel more like you’re penning your next novel, not your weekly grocery list. Mix and match the same decorated pens, stationary, and other office supplies. Extra features include an elastic plan to hold you place, three sheets of stickers to remind you of everything from a dentist appointment to your best friend’s birthday, and interior pockets. But the best part? Select styles are an extra 40% off with the code SALE40.

Runners-up

• In one word, Mochi Things planners can be summed up as cute, but the brand is more than its pastel palette. And there are so many options to choose from—really, there’s probably something for everyone. 
• We wouldn’t be surprised if you’ve had a DayDesigner planner before—it’s a classic. And though the style is a little old school, we can’t resist mentioning this one for the nostalgia factor. 

For the Wall

Sometimes, bigger is better. If you’d rather have a birds-eye view of events, then stick to the wall. These oversized, hanging calendars are a few of our Domino-approved offerings we’re eyeing for ourselves this year, from the oversized and reusable Poketo spectrum stickers to the new woodcut look from Parks Project.

How We Chose These Products

Good design is a huge part of our litmus test for the best planners. A one-stop shop for everything from your to-do list to your monthly calendar, the best planners also include quality paper (a few of our picks come from our favorite stationery brands) and good-looking covers. Long story short, we made sure our planner picks help you stay productive and are pretty to look at, too.     

Our Shopping Checklist

Standard Sizes 

Planners run the gamut in terms of shape and size, but the most likely options you’ll come across are personal- or pocket-size (small and easy to travel with), A5 (5.83-by-8.27 inches), U.S. letter size (8.5-by-11 inches), and A4, which is super-similar to U.S. letter but just the smallest touch narrower. More often than not, we’ve noticed that size has a direct correlation to how a planner is formatted. For instance, a miniature size can help you focus on everyday tasks, whereas something on the larger side lends itself to a bird’s-eye view. 

Format and Layout 

Probably the biggest decision you’ll have to make when picking out the best planner is whether to go with a daily, weekly, or undated format. Each has its own pros and cons. For a few important meetings, the wider view of a monthly planner might suit you best; but if you create detailed, daily to-do lists, we’d advise going the weekly route, with a planner that gives you ample room each day. For the latter, school-specific agendas also have a tendency to prioritize weekdays, so keep that in mind, too. It’s always nice when a planner provides a little something extra after each calendar week, whether it’s a blank note section or a creative prompt to keep you inspired. To quote Marie Kondo, your planner should spark joy each time you open it. 

Binding Types 

Most of the time, you’re probably looking at either a stitched or spiral-bound setup. Stitch binding holds the paper together with staples; it’s how most magazines and paperback books are held together. Spiral-bound is reminiscent of a binder. The paper features a series of holes that the rings fit through (bonus if you score perforated edges). Pro tip: If you’re shopping in person, give your potential product a quick test by seeing if it can lay flat. No one wants to jot down notes with resistance. 

Ask Domino

Q: What’s the difference between a daily and weekly planner? 

Basically, it’s how the pages are set up. A daily planner allows you to break down tasks for each day, whereas a weekly showcases a full seven calendar days across a page or two. Because of this, there are usually more pages in a daily planner, making it a bit clunkier or heavier in comparison. 

Q: Is it better to use a pen, pencil, or marker when taking notes in a planner? 

This largely depends on the type of paper your planner has; you’ll want something that won’t leak through. In fact, ghosting—when you can see some of your notes on the back of the page you wrote on—is a pretty common issue. If this is bothersome or makes reading tricky, try going with a paper that’s thick. Online, keep an eye out for this measurement: GSM. It stands for grams per square meter and indicates a paper’s weight. In our experience, we haven’t had bleed-through issues with a GSM of 80 and higher. 

Q: What kinds of extra accessories do some planners come with? 

While a lot of our picks are pretty minimalist on this front, there are other options on the market that come with all sorts of bonus features, whether it’s an open or back pocket to corral outside notes, stickers, bookmark clips, and more. But even if the planner you decide to go with doesn’t come with these add-ons, you can always purchase them for yourself. We love these jumbo gold paper clips and this extensive sticky note set! 

Q: How can a planner keep me on track week after week? 

Productivity expert and best-selling author of What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast, Laura Vanderkam, offers a few tips on how to use your new planner to the fullest: Use it consistently, plan your next week out on a Friday before heading into the weekend, don’t push off difficult tasks, and color-coordinate tasks by priorities. 

The Last Word

Our list prioritizes good design, but the best planners are those that work for you, whether it’s a pocket-size diary for notes on the go or a large, coffee-table-book–size product sprawled out on your desk at home. Remember: This office tool won’t make your calendar any less crowded, but it will certainly be prettier to look at. 

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