How to Choose the Perfect Planner Size: Hobonichi Weeks vs. Cousin vs. Vertical for Creative Organization

Finding your ideal planner size is about more than just choosing a notebook—it’s about designing a creative system that works for your organization style, life rhythms, and personality. At Dark Moon Paper, we’re right there with you on this journey. We get that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, which is why we love breaking down the real differences between popular planner sizes like Hobonichi Weeks, Hobonichi Cousin (A5), and the roomy Standard Vertical (7 x 9). Let’s explore what truly sets each one apart and how you can turn these formats into a canvas for creativity and productivity.

Understanding the Planner Landscape: Key Sizes at a Glance

• Hobonichi Weeks: Minimalist and slim (3.7” x 7.4”). Perfect for portability and streamlined weekly planning.
• Hobonichi Cousin (A5): Spacious (5.8” x 8.3”), offering daily pages plus weekly and monthly spreads for hybrid planning and journaling.
• Standard Vertical (7 x 9): The classic creative planner, generously sized pages ideal for decorative layouts and memory keeping.

How to Evaluate Planner Sizes for Your Creative Organization Style

Every planner brings something unique to the table. To help you make a confident choice, let’s go deeper into what each size really offers, how it feels day-to-day, and who thrives with them.

Hobonichi Weeks: Sleek Companion for On-the-Move Planning

If lightweight convenience calls to you, Hobonichi Weeks might feel like a planner revelation. This format is beloved for its wallet-like slim profile and effortless portability. The left page gives you a vertical weekly view, while the opposite side offers a grid for notes, lists, meal plans, or creative doodles. The structure is both practical and flexible, fitting basics plus bursts of creativity.

• Who will love it? Professionals, busy commuters, students, those with hybrid work arrangements, and anyone craving a grab-and-go solution.
• How it inspires creativity: The grid notes section is a launching pad for habit trackers, collage, expressive sketches, or quick gratitude logs—don’t let the compact size fool you!

Hobonichi Cousin (A5): The Versatile Creative’s Workhorse

For those who treat their planners as daily companions for both productivity and self-expression, the A5 Hobonichi Cousin is a dream. You get monthly overviews for big-picture perspective, weekly spreads for structured planning, and—best of all—a dedicated daily page for every single day of the year. There’s room for reflection, art, record keeping, and lists galore. The Cousin lends itself beautifully to layering functional and decorative stickers, creative journaling, and memory pages.

• Who will love it? Creative minds, teachers, freelancers, journalers, and anyone who keeps their planner on their desk for life management, intention setting, and artistic play.
• How it inspires creativity: The ability to theme each daily page, track moods, practice lettering, or collage with stickers and washi makes organizing an uplifting act of self-care.

Standard Vertical (7 x 9): Big Canvas for Structured and Decorative Planning

If you thrive on planning layouts that are as decorative as they are functional, the Standard Vertical’s large pages are for you. Each day is split into neat vertical columns, often segmented for prioritization (think: top for work, middle for home, bottom for memories or meal plans). The 7 x 9 size offers true decorating freedom, so scrapbook-style sticker spreads, layered washi, and themed dashboards are right at home.

• Who will love it? Artistic planners, memory keepers, organized families, and those who love generous space for both function and embellishment.
• How it inspires creativity: There’s room for scene-building, quote boxes, detailed trackers, and entire seasonal layouts.

Digging Deeper: Key Features & Experience by Size

• Portability: Hobonichi Weeks is unbeatable for lightweight, on-the-go use. Cousin is desk-friendly but not as travel-worthy. Standard Vertical is best kept at home or work.
• Creative Opportunities: All three formats can be transformed with functional, decorative, and themed stickers. Weeks invites minimalist, focused creativity. Cousin offers a playground for layering, drawing, and daily self-expression. Standard Vertical caters to maximalists with space for sticker scenes and journaling.
• Layout Style:
  • Weeks: Concise weekly plus notes—best for quick lists, habit trackers, portable art.
  • Cousin: Monthly/weekly/daily—ultimate flexibility.
  • Standard Vertical: Columns for segmentation—easy planning and creative storytelling.
• Compatibility with Sticker Kits:
  • You’ll find highly tailored sticker kits for each planner size at Dark Moon Paper. For example, the Hobonichi Cousin Daily Pages Kit – Starlit Sakura is designed for full-page creativity, while the Hobonichi Weeks Weekly Kit offers compact beauty for portable plans.

Choosing Your Planner Size: Step-by-Step Approach

1. Define your must-haves.
   • Need a planner that fits in your purse? Prioritize portability (Hobonichi Weeks).
   • Want a space for daily creativity, journaling, and functional planning in one place? The A5 Cousin is your pick.
   • Love making elaborate creative spreads? Embrace the Standard Vertical.
2. Test the writing space. Use blank sheets cut to each format’s size. Mock up a plan—does your writing cramp or do you relish the space?
3. Consider where you plan.
   • Desk setups open more options for Cousin or Standard Vertical.
   • If you’re always on the move, slim down with Weeks.
4. Think about your balance of function and creativity.
   • Portability + minimalism: Hobonichi Weeks (and tailored kits).
   • Space + variety: Hobonichi Cousin’s pages (monthly kits, dashboards, daily layouts).
   • Big layouts + art: Standard Vertical with vertical sticker kits.
5. Anticipate seasonal shifts. You might use a Weeks for spring travel, then switch to Cousin or Vertical for slow winter months full of reflection and art. Having seasonally-inspired sticker kits on hand streamlines the transition.

Real-Life Planner Profiles: Which Format Fits You?

• The Organized Commuter: Uses Hobonichi Weeks for quick plans, compact goal-setting, and to-do lists. Decorative weekly kits add personality without any extra bulk.
• The Creative Daily Journaler: Embraces A5 Cousin for its daily journaling, planner, and art hub. Enjoys mixing functional boxes with daily sticker kits and memory collages.
• The Themed Layout Enthusiast: Lives for Standard Vertical’s open pages. Each week is a new canvas—think botanical themes, seasonal dashboards, and maximal layering. Our full sticker shop is a treasure trove here.

Elevate Your Planning: Pro Tips for Creative Organization

• Mix and match! Many creative planners use more than one format—a Weeks for mobile planning, a Cousin or Vertical for in-depth reflection and creative spreading.
• Select sticker kits suited for your chosen planner’s layout. This makes setup faster, prevents wasted supplies, and allows design ideas to shine.
• Visit our blog posts—like How to Maximize Your Planner’s Monthly Overview with Functional and Decorative Sticker Kits—for practical layout strategies and inspiration for every format.

How to Get Started with Your Dream Layout

1. Once you’ve chosen your size, set aside time to experiment. Try a monthly, weekly, or daily sticker kit that fits your format. (We design layouts specifically for each!)
2. Don’t be afraid to try new layouts, shuffle sections, or create designated pages for goals, habits, or doodles.
3. Let creativity and organization work together—sticker layering, loose washi tape, and functional icon stickers bring structure and joy.

Final Thoughts: Your Organization System, Your Style

Whether you’re a minimalist planner, a creative journaler, or an all-out sticker enthusiast, the best planner size is the one you’ll love returning to every week. As your life shifts, let your tools adapt too. Switch formats seasonally or keep multiple for different roles. Keep it fun, keep it personal, and don’t forget: adding themed and functional stickers is like giving your planner a creative spark every single time.

If you’re looking for cohesive kits for your chosen planner—and want to make setup both effortless and inspiring—explore our full range of planner and journaling sticker kits at Dark Moon Paper. Whether you’ve settled on Hobonichi Weeks, Cousin, Vertical, or love switching it up, we’re here to make your journey artful and organized.

P.S. For more practical ideas and creative guides, don’t miss our newsletter sign-up and in-depth blog library. Happy planning!