Creative Calendar Ideas for a Stylishly Organised Home
Why settle for a boring wall or desk calendar when you can have one of these cool, practical planners instead?
Still haven’t snapped up a calendar for 2015? Don’t worry, you’re not alone – I started my annual calendar hunt early last December but am yet to find my perfect planner match. If you find yourself in a similar calendar-buying boat and are looking for one that’s more practical, personalised or visually punchy than the generic, snooze-worthy flip-over designs that seem to flood stores each year (who else is sick of seeing planners filled with pages of cute puppies, idyllic beach scenes or picturesque gardens?), then look to the 13 creative ideas below for inspiration. They’ll not only help you stay on top of your busy schedule but will also serve as conversation-starting design features that inject your home with character, too.
Opt for a perpetual calendar that exudes timeless appeal
One of the perks of purchasing a perpetual calendar (that is, a calendar that’s not year specific) is that you no longer have to trade it in for a new one as each year comes and goes – simply find a design you love and you can use it … well … forever. We’re enamoured with the cool, vintage perpetual calendar that sits atop this desk. The striking date keeper is easy to use, too – zoom into the image and you’ll see that it features raised circular tabs, each of which have the days of the week, months and numbers printed on them in a large, bold font. Also note the three removable rings that slide onto the pegs to highlight the current date, which makes the calendar easy to read at a glance.
Ring-a-date perpetual calendar: Euroway
One of the perks of purchasing a perpetual calendar (that is, a calendar that’s not year specific) is that you no longer have to trade it in for a new one as each year comes and goes – simply find a design you love and you can use it … well … forever. We’re enamoured with the cool, vintage perpetual calendar that sits atop this desk. The striking date keeper is easy to use, too – zoom into the image and you’ll see that it features raised circular tabs, each of which have the days of the week, months and numbers printed on them in a large, bold font. Also note the three removable rings that slide onto the pegs to highlight the current date, which makes the calendar easy to read at a glance.
Ring-a-date perpetual calendar: Euroway
Paint a personalised planner on your wall
A chalkboard calendar is a fun, eye-catching and practical addition to any home. Cover a vacant wall in a coat or two of chalkboard paint and mark up an oversized grid that stretches across the entire surface, or shrink the size of each calendar so you can fit more than one on your wall, as was done in the eclectic office above. Further customise your calendar by using chalkboard paint and chalk or chalk markers in a variety of bright, bold colours.
A chalkboard calendar is a fun, eye-catching and practical addition to any home. Cover a vacant wall in a coat or two of chalkboard paint and mark up an oversized grid that stretches across the entire surface, or shrink the size of each calendar so you can fit more than one on your wall, as was done in the eclectic office above. Further customise your calendar by using chalkboard paint and chalk or chalk markers in a variety of bright, bold colours.
The breakfast nook pictured here offers another nifty chalkboard calendar idea that you may like to try at home. Rather than covering the entire surface in chalkboard paint, the designer has painted two separate rectangular chalkboard calendars – a monthly and weekly planner – on the wall instead. This ensures the dual calendar doesn’t detract from other design elements in the space, such the cluster of industrial-style pendant lights.
Incorporate your calendar into your furniture or cabinetry
This monthly calendar may be fairly plain in style, but what the planner lacks in the looks department, it makes up for in the clever, creative way it has been incorporated into the design of this busy family cooking zone (it sits within the benchtop and is protected by a clear spill-proof cover), which you’ve got to admit is pretty cool!
This is a great solution for those who don’t want a calendar cluttering their kitchen wall or fridge door (or other surfaces around the home), as the planner is still easy to view and access (via a drawer), while remaining somewhat out of sight. Plus, it allows family members to multitask and check their schedule and to-do list while prepping or cleaning up after meals.
This monthly calendar may be fairly plain in style, but what the planner lacks in the looks department, it makes up for in the clever, creative way it has been incorporated into the design of this busy family cooking zone (it sits within the benchtop and is protected by a clear spill-proof cover), which you’ve got to admit is pretty cool!
This is a great solution for those who don’t want a calendar cluttering their kitchen wall or fridge door (or other surfaces around the home), as the planner is still easy to view and access (via a drawer), while remaining somewhat out of sight. Plus, it allows family members to multitask and check their schedule and to-do list while prepping or cleaning up after meals.
Alternatively, you might be keen to integrate this space-savvy idea into your kitchen. Here, two cupboard doors open to reveal a hidden message centre and whiteboard calendar, making use of a shallow nook that borders the fridge recess and would otherwise go unused.
Get creative and craft one from scratch
Are you a keen DIYer or craft enthusiast? Then why not fashion a bespoke calendar from materials that you have laying around your home? The unique calendar pictured here is made from a textured tin ceiling tile that is dotted with magnetic metal letter clips, each of which holds a tag with a date (as well as a task, appointment or other important notes, in some cases) written on it.
Are you a keen DIYer or craft enthusiast? Then why not fashion a bespoke calendar from materials that you have laying around your home? The unique calendar pictured here is made from a textured tin ceiling tile that is dotted with magnetic metal letter clips, each of which holds a tag with a date (as well as a task, appointment or other important notes, in some cases) written on it.
Do you own a sewing machine, or are you handy with a needle and thread? Then perhaps you’d prefer making a fabric calendar like the charming creation pictured here. While you’re at it, we suggest tackling another steal-worthy DIY project as seen in this picture: a handmade pin board made from recycled wine corks.
See another side of glass
Have a glass interior door in your home? Put it to work by transforming the see-through surface into a floor-to-ceiling calendar. This clever trick works a treat with sliding doors, as you can see in this airy dining room. Keep a stash of whiteboard markers and a cloth close by so you can make changes to your schedule on the fly.
Have a glass interior door in your home? Put it to work by transforming the see-through surface into a floor-to-ceiling calendar. This clever trick works a treat with sliding doors, as you can see in this airy dining room. Keep a stash of whiteboard markers and a cloth close by so you can make changes to your schedule on the fly.
Try a stylish stick-on design
Writable calendar wall decals are ideal for any home (especially rental properties) as they don’t require as much commitment as more permanent planner options, such as chalkboard or whiteboard calendars that must be painted or screwed to your wall. They’re also reusable, easy to remove when you’re ready for a change, plus they’re available in an endless array of colours and designs, too.
Don’t have any available wall space in a convenient, easily accessible spot? Stick your calendar decal to your fridge, cabinet fronts, on the back or front of interior doors, or on your wardrobe mirror instead.
Chroma 4-piece dry-erase wall calendar decal kit: WallPops
Writable calendar wall decals are ideal for any home (especially rental properties) as they don’t require as much commitment as more permanent planner options, such as chalkboard or whiteboard calendars that must be painted or screwed to your wall. They’re also reusable, easy to remove when you’re ready for a change, plus they’re available in an endless array of colours and designs, too.
Don’t have any available wall space in a convenient, easily accessible spot? Stick your calendar decal to your fridge, cabinet fronts, on the back or front of interior doors, or on your wardrobe mirror instead.
Chroma 4-piece dry-erase wall calendar decal kit: WallPops
Get pinning
Corkboard calendars are a handy addition to any home office or message centre as they provide a visible schedule that maps out upcoming events, appointments, tasks that must be completed by a certain date, bills to be paid and other tidbits you need to remember. Don’t forget to personalise your board with snapshots of your family and friends, inspiring quotes, notes from loved ones and other keepsakes that will pep you up and put a smile on your face.
Corkboard calendars are a handy addition to any home office or message centre as they provide a visible schedule that maps out upcoming events, appointments, tasks that must be completed by a certain date, bills to be paid and other tidbits you need to remember. Don’t forget to personalise your board with snapshots of your family and friends, inspiring quotes, notes from loved ones and other keepsakes that will pep you up and put a smile on your face.
Choose a calendar that doubles as art
If you desire a calendar that makes a strong design statement, look around for a planner that resembles a work of art, like the perpetual wall calendar shown above. To guests, the attention-grabbing calendar looks like an edgy graphic print (the dates are only visible once the magnetic cursor is moved above each number), while those in the know are aware that you must look beyond the surface to discover the true beauty of this striking accent piece.
Imbroglio perpetual wall calendar: twentytwentyone
If you desire a calendar that makes a strong design statement, look around for a planner that resembles a work of art, like the perpetual wall calendar shown above. To guests, the attention-grabbing calendar looks like an edgy graphic print (the dates are only visible once the magnetic cursor is moved above each number), while those in the know are aware that you must look beyond the surface to discover the true beauty of this striking accent piece.
Imbroglio perpetual wall calendar: twentytwentyone
Are you a fan of typography? Then a bold, graphic calendar that celebrates different typefaces may be more your flavour. We love the simple yet statement-making calendar that takes a starring role in this contemporary cooking zone. It’s oversized poster format, stark monochrome palette and clean sans serif font suits the sophisticated space to a tee.
TELL US
Are you keen to incorporate any of these creative calendar ideas in your home, or do you have any others you’d like to share ? We’d love to know, so post your thoughts and photos in the Comments.
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TELL US
Are you keen to incorporate any of these creative calendar ideas in your home, or do you have any others you’d like to share ? We’d love to know, so post your thoughts and photos in the Comments.
MORE
8 Home Resolutions That Will Change Your Life for the Better
Home Improvement: 8 Small Fixes to Make Your Life More Organised
The No-Nonsense Guide to Organising the Kids
Not sure what to do with that boring, blank wall in your kitchen or study (or any other room in the house for that matter)? An easy way to snazz up the surface is to transform it into a gallery wall, but rather than hanging art and framed photos, use patterned or illustrated monthly calendar pages instead. You might like to find a planner that’s designed in this format; find a flip-over calendar that you love and trim the pages down to size; or even create your own (include treasured family photos, motivational quotes or your kids’ drawings for a personal touch) on your computer.
This colourful kitchen shows how it’s done – notice how the charming calendar collection adds another layer of visual interest to the eclectic scheme. The arrangement doubles as a practical design element, too, and ensures that the family can keep on top of their schedule thanks to the calendar’s convenient and easily accessible position in the high traffic zone.