Last Updated on September 9, 2025 by Dee
Are you looking for gothic junk journal ideas to bring a moody, romantic, and mysterious touch to your journaling? Gothic journals are perfect for anyone who loves dark aesthetics, ornate details, and a little bit of Halloween magic all year round.
Today I’m sharing 9 creative ways to add a gothic vibe to your junk journals, plus I’ve included a free gothic rose journaling page and a matching page of printable ephemera for you to download at the end of this post!
Table of Contents
1. Use Gothic Roses as a Central Motif 🌹
Black and deep red roses are timeless symbols of gothic romance. Pair them with pale sepia backgrounds, ornate frames, and aged parchment textures. My new Baroque Black Roses Junk Journal Kit has everything you need — from journaling pages to tags and ATCs.
If you’re part of the Artsydee Creation Club membership, you’ll already have this kit included, along with new weekly resources.
2. Add Layers of Vintage Ephemera
Build depth with old letters, tickets, and scraps. Tuck in tags, collage sheets, or even ATCs for a layered, mysterious look. I’ve included a full page of printable gothic ephemera in the freebie below to get you started!
3. Create a Gothic Color Palette
Think beyond black — try muted burgundy, midnight blue, sepia, gold, and aged ivory. These tones add richness and variation to your journal spreads.
For a softer base, try making your own tea-stained paper to layer underneath your gothic elements.
4. Mix in Celestial Elements 🌙
Stars, crescent moons, and constellations pair beautifully with gothic roses. Add celestial diagrams, mystical symbols, or even astrology-inspired journaling cards for a magical, baroque twist.
5. Work with Textured Backgrounds
Distressed parchment, damask wallpaper, and faded script instantly create a gothic feel. You can print backgrounds from my kits, or use your own scanned textures for extra authenticity.
If you’re looking for inspiration, check out my vintage Christmas junk journal pages for ideas on layering muted tones and antique patterns.
6. Add Ornate Borders & Frames
Baroque scrollwork, chandeliers, and intricate filigree help set the scene. Borders around your journaling space instantly elevate a page from plain to dramatic.
7. Incorporate Personal Themes
Your gothic journal doesn’t have to be all roses and skulls. You can add themes that matter to you — whether that’s pets, hobbies, or literature. I’ve even created dog junk journal pages and a booklovers junk journal kit that can be adapted with darker tones for a gothic twist.
8. Blend Traditional and Digital Techniques
Printables are wonderful, but don’t be afraid to combine them with sketching or digital art. I often plan designs on my iPad before transferring them to paper. If you’re curious, check out how I plan watercolor paintings in Procreate — the same approach can help you design gothic compositions before you commit them to your journal.
9. Use Watercolor & Ink for Hand-Drawn Details
Add finishing touches with watercolor washes, ink splatters, or pen outlines. Even if you’re primarily working with printables, your own flourishes make each spread uniquely yours.
If you need practice, take a peek at my watercolor sketchbook ideas to start building confidence with paints alongside your printable elements.
✨ Freebie – Gothic Rose Page + Ephemera
As a thank you for visiting, here’s a free gothic rose journaling page plus a coordinating page of printable ephemera you can use in your own junk journal.
Grab the Free Gothic Roses Junk Journal Tester Pages from my full kit HERE (below)!
To access the free in-post printables for this post, you’ll just need to create a free account or login with the Grow.me tool. Then, confirm by email and refresh the page and ALL my free printables will automatically unlock in every post!
Love These Junk Journal Pages? Get Even More Exclusive Creative Goodies in my Junk Journal membership! 🎨
Join the Artsydee Creation Club Community? As a member, you’ll gain access to exclusive printable Junk Journal kits and resources like this one! Plus, you’ll get sneak peeks at upcoming projects and have a say in what content I create next. ✨
Join today and unlock premium resources to take your creativity to the next level!
Wrap Up
There are endless ways to experiment with gothic junk journal ideas — from black roses and ornate frames to layered ephemera and celestial touches.
If you’d like a complete set ready to print, you can grab my Baroque Black Roses Junk Journal Kit, or join the Artsydee Creation Club membership and receive this kit along with new weekly resources.
🌹 Happy journaling, and thank you for all your feedback and requests — I’ll keep working through the list and bringing your ideas to life!