2026 Planner Setup Guide: Choosing Sizes (Hobonichi Weeks vs. Cousin vs. Vertical) and Starter Kits

Selecting the best planner size and building a starter kit for your 2026 planner setup is deeply personal, what works for one planner enthusiast may feel completely wrong to another. At Dark Moon Paper, we get it! As creatives who love the tactile ritual of planning and the satisfaction of seeing a beautifully organized spread, we believe your planner should both fit your lifestyle and inspire you to keep using it week after week.

Comparing Planner Sizes: Hobonichi Weeks vs. Cousin vs. Vertical

Planner Type	Approx. Size	Main Layout	Best For
Hobonichi Weeks	95mm x 190mm (slim, tall)	Weekly (week on left, notes on right)	On-the-go, pared down setups, lists
Hobonichi Cousin (A5)	150mm x 210mm (A5)	Daily, weekly, monthly (varies by version)	Everything-in-one, journaling, memory keeping
Standard Vertical (7×9)	178mm x 229mm	Vertical weekly columns	Decorative planning, block scheduling

Quick-Choose Guide

• If you need a planner that travels everywhere with you, fits in a tote or jacket, pick Hobonichi Weeks.
• If you want a creative command center for life, with enough space for everything and nothing left out, try the Hobonichi Cousin (A5).
• If decorating weekly columns and block scheduling is your organizational love language, then Vertical 7×9 will fit you.

Deep Dive: Hobonichi Cousin (A5)

The Cousin has earned the reputation as the ultimate all-in-one paper planner. With daily, weekly, and monthly page options (varies with edition), the A5 grid canvas gives you unmatched flexibility for routines, lists, and expressive journaling without running out of space.

Who should choose the Cousin?

• People who enjoy brain dumping, creative spreads, or daily memory keeping.
• Anyone who wants a desk-based planner rather than one for pockets.
• Those who love to track goals, habits, and self-care routines in one place.

Want to see how you can transform your monthly overviews with stickers? Check out our blog on leveraging sticker kits for monthly layouts.

2026 Planner Setup Ideas for the Cousin

Minimal Productivity Kit

• One or two functional weekly sticker kits for structure and clarity.
• A single daily pages kit for a clean system across several weeks.
• Functional icons and boxes for priorities and habit tracking.

Pick from our selection, like:

Decorative & Creative Kit

• Rotate through 4-6 themed weekly kits (seasonal or just for fun).
• Add daily kits for special weeks, productivity pushes, or reflection periods.
• Toss in a 1 or 2 page decorative sticker kit for A5 for those quick setups.

You can explore more creative spread ideas in our post on how to style a botanical layout with stickers.

Notable Cousin Daily Kits

Hobonichi Weeks: Minimal, Mobile, and Flexible

Hobonichi Weeks is the favorite for minimalists and those whose lives never slow down. Despite its compact size, the layout (week on one page, graph notes on the other) means it is ultra-customizable.

• Jot appointments and top priorities quickly as you go.
• The grid page is ideal for lists, habit trackers, or meal plans.

Essentials for a Weeks Starter Kit

• Small functional boxes, such as:
  Hobonichi Weeks – Small Boxes (choose your preferred theme for structure without bulk).
• Add a couple of themed weekly kits for extra decorative weeks. For specific seasons, match your kit color with your mood or the month.
• Icons for visual shortcuts (paydays, workouts, goals) to keep things clear at a glance.

Vertical 7×9: Classic Columns for Visual Planners

If you love laying down full decorative spreads or splitting your week into morning, afternoon, and evening blocks, the vertical 7×9 is your playground. We design sticker kits to maximize these spacious, column-based layouts with just enough structure and flexibility for custom routines.

Recommended Vertical Starter Kit

• 1-2 vertical weekly kits for every key season.
  Standard Vertical Planner Weekly Kit – Lucky Clovers – 203-20-W
• Functional add-ons for checklists, habit trackers, appointment boxes, and inspirational quotes.
• Washi strips for top/bottom page accents.

A Realistic 2026 Planner Setup: Step-by-Step Plan

1. Pick your layout (Weeks, Cousin, or Vertical) based on your everyday carry needs and space requirements.
2. Get your planner and a starter sticker kit that fits (don’t overbuy—you can always add more creativity as your style evolves!).
3. Sit down with your planner for yearly intention setting — mark key life areas, goals, and a focus word or two.
4. Decorate your first monthly spread using headers and washi or stickers to set the tone.
5. Commit to a weekly ritual. Take 20–30 minutes every weekend to map out the coming week with stickers and priorities. Just a simple creative routine keeps you inspired.
6. Take a moment each week to adjust. If your setup feels too cramped or too big, it’s okay to switch next time. The beauty of paper planning is its adaptability.

Need more ideas on how to mix functional and decorative elements? Our blog on combining stickers for ultimate organization offers a step-by-step approach.

Practical Comparison: Visuals and Links to Key Kits

Here are real examples of Dark Moon Paper starter products for each system, including visuals for layout inspiration:

Hobonichi Cousin Weekly Kits

Hobonichi Cousin Daily Kits

Hobonichi Weeks Functional Stickers

Vertical 7×9 Weekly Kit

One-Page A5 Weekly Kits (for fast setups)

Developing a Sustainable Sticker Strategy

It is so tempting to stockpile all the stickers, but sustainability is key. Here are tips from our team:

• Estimate how often you realistically plan—if you’re a ‘decorate every week’ type, aim for 4 main kits per season. If less frequent, stick to a 1-page kit or a few functional icons.
• Rotate daily kits only for reflection weeks, resets, or big goals, not every single week.
• Mix and match: Combine daily or weekly kits with your favorite pens and washi for unique pages that never feel repetitive.

For more inspiration, see our guide to using planner stickers to set goals and habits.

Turning Planning Into a Personal Ritual

Planner setup shouldn’t be overwhelming, it should be the creative, restorative pause that sets your tone each week or month. We encourage you to treat this as your ritual. Play with color, rotate themes, and don’t worry if plans change (that’s what stickers are for!). Try a setup plan like:

• Day 1: Decide on your layout.
• Day 2: Choose your starter kit.
• Day 3–4: Set intentions and create your first spread.
• Weekly: Dedicate a little time to check in and decorate—small, frequent creative resets help keep things fun and sustainable.

Final Thoughts and Next Steps

Whether you land on Hobonichi Weeks, Cousin, or a classic vertical, the best planner is the one you love using—one that helps organize your life, and makes you eager to open it again and again. Browse our curated collection at Dark Moon Paper for sticker kits matched to every planner size featured here, along with washi and stationery for a truly customized planner journey. And if you’re ready for more ideas on creative layout designs for your 2026 planner setup, don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter for regular inspiration and exclusive releases.