Let’s be honest—taking notes can be boring. But staring at a messy page full of rushed scribbles when you're trying to study? Even worse.
That’s where aesthetic notes come in.
They’re not just about making things look pretty for the sake of it—they help you stay organized, make studying more enjoyable, and actually make it easier to find information when you need it.
That being said, making aesthetic notes shouldn’t mean spending hours perfecting every letter or covering your pages in decorations.
If your notes are too pretty to actually use, what’s the point? The goal is to keep them clean, structured, and easy to read—while still looking good. Here’s how to do it without wasting time
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How To Take Aesthetic Notes
1. Pick a Simple Color Scheme
You don’t need a full rainbow of highlighters. Stick to two or three colors—one for headings, one for subheadings, and maybe one for important details.
Pastel highlighters like Mr. Pen are popular because they’re easy on the eyes, but honestly, just pick what you like.
Too many colors will make your notes look chaotic instead of aesthetic.
2. Use Good Pens (Because Smudging Sucks)
If you’ve ever written something and then immediately smudged it across the page, you already know why good pens matter.
Gel pens are great if they dry quickly, and fine-tip pens help keep your writing neat. If you’re using a bullet journal-style notebook, make sure the pens don’t bleed through.
3. Handwriting Matters (But It Doesn’t Have to Be Fancy)
You don’t need perfect calligraphy, but your notes should be readable. If your handwriting is all over the place, try slowing down a bit or writing in all caps for consistency.
Some people find that using grid or dotted paper helps keep their writing straight and organized.
4. Break Up the Text
Huge blocks of text are overwhelming, no matter how neat they are.
So, use spacing, bullet points, and indentation to break things up.
Underline key points or box in definitions.
And if something is super important, make it stand out so you don’t have to hunt for it later.
5. Doodles & Diagrams Actually Help
Small doodles or quick sketches aren’t just for aesthetics—they help you remember stuff better.
If you’re taking science notes, draw little diagrams instead of writing out long explanations.
If you’re studying vocabulary, sketch a tiny visual representation next to the word. This makes reviewing easier (and less boring).
6. Headers & Subheadings Keep It Clean
Big, bold headers make your notes easy to skim. You can write them in all caps, use a different color, or add a simple underline. Just make sure they stand out.
If you like a fancier look, faux calligraphy (writing normally and thickening the downstrokes) works without needing special pens.
7. Minimal Decorations = Maximum Aesthetic
Washi tape, stickers, and fancy borders are fun and aesthetic. But don’t let them take over your notes.
A small strip of washi tape at the top of a page or a few simple dots around a title can add style without being distracting. The key is to make your notes look good and keep them functional.
8. Digital Aesthetic Notes (For the Tablet Users)
If you’re taking digital notes, the right app makes a huge difference. Some of the best ones for aesthetic note-taking are Penly, Niki: Cute Notes App, CollaNote, Mindomo, Notion, and Bear Markdown Notes.
These apps let you customize colors, add stickers, organize your notes neatly, and create layouts that actually make studying more enjoyable. If you like structured, aesthetic notes with a personal touch, these are the ones to check out.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, aesthetic notes should help you study better, not just look nice. Find a style that works for you, and keep it simple.
If you want more inspiration, check out this video:
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