Behind the scenes: Designing a template from scratch
Ever wonder how a Notion template comes to life? Here's a peek at my process — from messy napkin sketch to polished product.
Every template I make starts with a problem I'm trying to solve. For my new Home Management Hub, the problem was: 'Why do I keep forgetting to water the plants?' So I sketched out a simple database on a napkin — water frequency, last watered, notes.
Then comes the messy part: building in Notion. I create the structure first — pages, properties, views. It's ugly. I add sample data to test how it looks and flows. If a view is confusing, I rework it.
Next, the fun part: making it pretty. I choose colors that feel calm — soft greens, warm beiges. I add icons and covers. I finesse the typography. This is where the template goes from functional to something you actually want to open.
Finally, I test it with real users. I ask friends to break it. I refine. Then I package it with a walkthrough video. It takes weeks, but when someone tells me it saved them hours, it's worth it.