You love reading. You love the smell of a new book, the weight of it in your hands, and the satisfying thump of closing a finished novel. But there’s a dark side to this beautiful hobby, isn’t there? You’re three chapters in, the phone rings, and suddenly you’re desperately scrambling for something—anything—to mark your page. A receipt? A random sock? The dog’s ear? (Please don’t use the dog’s ear. Or the book’s, for that matter. We’re civilized people… mostly).
I’ve been there more times than I can count. My nightstand is a graveyard of makeshift bookmarks: old business cards, grocery lists, and one particularly sad-looking leaf that somehow got pressed between my pages. It’s a mess. So, I finally decided to do something about it. I needed bookmarks that were cute, functional, and most importantly, wouldn’t fall out the second I shove the book in my bag.
That’s where these little guys come in. Corner bookmarks are the unsung heroes of the reading world. They hug the page, they’re quick to make, and they add a tiny splash of personality to your reading experience. I’ve rounded up 6 DIY corner bookmark ideas that are so easy and fun, you’ll want to make a whole set for every book on your shelf. Let’s get crafting, shall we?
What You’ll Need to Get Started
Before we jump into the designs, let’s talk supplies. Chances are, you have most of this stuff lying around your house already. FYI, I’m a big fan of using what you’ve got—no need to run out and buy a bunch of fancy gear.
- Cardstock or thick paper: Regular printer paper is too flimsy. You want something with a bit of muscle.
- Scissors: A sharp pair is your best friend here.
- Glue stick or double-sided tape: I prefer tape for paper crafts—less mess, less waiting.
- Markers, pens, pencils: For doodling and details.
- Your choice of embellishments: This is where it gets fun. Think felt, buttons, washi tape, googly eyes (always googly eyes), or fabric scraps.
- Ruler: Helpful for getting those folds just right.
- Craft knife (optional): For any super intricate cuts, but scissors work for most of these.
1. The Classic Origami Corner Bookmark
This is the granddaddy of all corner bookmarks. It’s the base for so many other designs, and once you learn it, you’ll be able to whip one up in under a minute. IMO, everyone should know how to make this.
The Basic Fold
Ever wondered why such a simple piece of folded paper can bring so much joy? It’s the magic of transformation! Here’s how to do it:
- Start with a square. If you have a rectangular piece of paper, fold one corner over to make a triangle, and cut off the excess strip. Now you have a perfect square.
- Fold it in half diagonally to make a triangle. Make sure the corners are nice and neat.
- Fold the top corner of the triangle down to meet the bottom edge. You’ll have a smaller triangle on top and a little diamond shape peeking out at the bottom.
- Fold the right corner up to meet the top point of the triangle.
- Do the same with the left corner.
- Now, unfold those last two folds. You’ve created a little pocket. Tuck the right and left corners inside that pocket you just created.
- Flip it over, and boom! You’ve got a neat little triangle pocket that slips perfectly over your book page.
Turning It into a Monster
This is where the personality comes in. That basic triangle shape is just begging to be decorated.
- Give it teeth: Cut a small strip of white paper with zig-zag edges for teeth and glue it inside the “mouth.”
- Add some eyes: Googly eyes are the obvious (and best) choice here. Glue them on.
- Use colored paper: A bright green monster is a classic, but why not a fluffy pink one?
- The result: You’ve got a friendly little creature peeking out from the corner of your page, guarding your spot. It’s simple, it’s effective, and it makes me smile every single time I open my book.
2. Felt Animal Corner Bookmarks
Okay, paper is great, but felt? Felt is a game-changer. It’s soft, it doesn’t fray, and it makes your bookmarks feel a little more… substantial. Plus, they look super cute peeking out of the top of your book.
Why Felt is Your Friend
Felt is incredibly forgiving. You don’t need to hem it, it comes in a million colors, and it glues together like a dream. It’s also durable, so these bookmarks will last through many, many books.
Making a Simple Felt Puppy
Let’s make a sleepy puppy who’s just as excited to read as you are.
- Cut your base: Cut a 4×4 inch square of felt in your main color (like brown or gray). Fold it in half diagonally to form the triangle corner.
- Cut the ears: Cut two small floppy ear shapes from a darker or matching piece of felt.
- Cut the snout: Cut a small circle or oval from a lighter piece of felt (like tan or cream).
- Assemble the face: Glue the snout onto the front of the triangle. Glue the ears behind the top point of the triangle so they stick up.
- Add the details: Glue on two small black beads or buttons for eyes and a tiny pink heart or oval for a nose. You can even use embroidery floss to stitch on a little mouth, but I’m lazy, so I usually just draw one on with a fabric marker.
This project feels a little more like “real” crafting. You can make a whole zoo! A fox with pointy ears, a bear with round ears, or a cat with whiskers made from thread. The possibilities are endless.
3. Washi Tape Wonder Bookmarks
This is the perfect project for the “I want to craft but I have zero energy” crowd. It’s me. I’m the crowd. Washi tape does all the heavy lifting here because it’s already patterned and pretty.
Raid Your Stash
We all have that collection of washi tape we swore we’d use. This is its moment to shine.
The “No-Cut” Corner (Almost)
- Grab a piece of cardstock or any sturdy paper.
- Tear or cut strips of your favorite washi tapes. Don’t overthink it.
- Start sticking! Layer the strips diagonally, horizontally, or however you like across the paper. Overlap them, leave gaps—it’s all good. The more chaotic, the better it often looks.
- Once your paper is covered, flip it over. Use a ruler and pencil to draw your corner bookmark triangle (a 3×3 inch square cut in half diagonally works perfectly).
- Cut it out.
And that’s it. You’ve just created a one-of-a-kind bookmark that looks way more complicated than it actually is. The tape does all the decorating for you. It’s like cheating at crafting, and I am 100% here for it.
4. The “Read Me” Tassel Corner
Sometimes, a bookmark needs a little flair. A little drama. It needs a tassel. This design takes the classic origami bookmark and gives it a fancy upgrade that makes you feel like you’re marking a page in an ancient, leather-bound tome.
Adding a Touch of Class
This is surprisingly easy, I swear.
- Make a classic origami corner bookmark from cardstock. Choose a color that matches your tassel.
- Make your tassel: Wrap embroidery floss or thin yarn around two fingers about 15-20 times. Carefully slide the loops off your fingers. Tie a separate piece of yarn tightly around the top of the loops. Then, cut through the bottom loops to create the tassel fringe. (You can find a million video tutorials for this if my description is confusing!).
- Attach it: Use a hole punch to make a small hole in the top center of your bookmark, right at the point. Thread the tied end of your tassel through the hole from the front to the back.
- Secure it: To keep the tassel from pulling back through, you can tie a bead onto the end of the thread on the front, or just tie a big knot in the thread itself right up against the front of the bookmark.
Now you have a bookmark that’s not only holding your page but also giving your book a little bit of runway model energy. It’s functional AND fancy.
5. Recycled Cardboard Characters
Before you toss that birthday card from your aunt or that box from your latest online shopping spree, stop! That cardboard is prime bookmark real estate. I love using recycled materials because it feels like you’re creating something for free, and it’s a little nod to being kind to the planet.
Giving Old Materials New Life
Thicker cardboard, like from a cereal box or a greeting card, is already the perfect weight for a bookmark. It’s sturdy and ready to be transformed.
The “Cereal Box Sloth”
- Cut out your triangle base from the clean, flat part of a cereal box.
- Paint it! This is the fun part. Give it a base coat of brown or gray paint.
- Add character: Once the paint is dry, use a marker to draw on a sleepy sloth face. Add some little claws peeking over the edge.
- Or, go for a collage: Cut out tiny bits of patterned paper to create a fun, modern design. You could even use old sheet music or pages from a damaged book you’re okay with cutting up (I know, it hurts a little, but it’s for art!).
It’s amazing how a piece of trash can become your new favorite reading companion.
6. The Simple Corner Pocket
Maybe you’re thinking, “This all sounds great, but I don’t want to fold origami, and I don’t have felt, and I’m not in the mood to paint.” I got you. This last one is for the true minimalists.
The Easiest Bookmark You’ll Ever Make
This is less of a craft project and more of a… 30-second solution.
- Find a small envelope. Like the kind a thank-you card comes in.
- Cut the corner off. That’s it. Just slice off one corner of the envelope, about an inch and a half from the point.
- Slide it onto your page.
You now have a perfectly functional corner pocket. You can leave it plain for a super minimalist look, or you can jazz it up. Slip a tiny photo into the pocket, or write an inspiring quote on a small strip of paper and tuck it inside. The pocket becomes a little frame for whatever you want to put in it. It’s brilliant in its simplicity.
Get Creative and Make Them Your Own
So there you have it—six different ways to make sure you never have to dog-ear a page again. 😀 The best part about these projects is that they’re just a starting point. Mix and match ideas! Give your origami monster felt ears. Add a tassel to your cereal box sloth. Cover your corner pocket in washi tape.
- Personalize them for friends: Make a bookmark that looks like their favorite animal or uses their favorite color. They make amazing, thoughtful gifts.
- Create a set for yourself: Make one for every season—pumpkins in the fall, snowflakes in the winter.
- Use them as gift toppers: Slip a handmade bookmark onto the first page of a book you’re giving as a present. It’s like a two-in-one gift!
Now, go raid your craft drawer. Grab some paper, scissors, and glue. And for goodness’ sake, go save a book page from the tyranny of a random sock. Happy crafting, fellow page lover! 🙂