Once I have chosen my scrapbook album, selected my theme and categorized my pictures, I then focus on the page layouts.  I try to either create or buy background paper, stickers, embellishments and such that I feel will add to the overall heart of the album. 

When I lay my pictures out, I try to determine what the background will add to them.  For example, on my last trip I took a picture of a river that had a mountain in the backdrop.  My focus was on the river, but the mountain added to the landscape.  On closer inspection of the picture, I hadn’t noticed a beautiful purplish bluish color before.  That changed the plan for my background color.  I chose a color that brought out the tint of the mountain, and yet the river was still the focal point.

If you don't want to use colors that complement each other, then go with contrast.  You can use a color wheel as a guide.  Paint stores and home improvement stores usually have free color guides.  If you don't have a color wheel, then use your computer, you can also play with colors to see what shades look good.  I know there are times that I plan to journal in one color, and then I hi-lite the text to change the font or size, and see that the contrasting color is prettier or brighter, so I make that change.  The neat thing about scrapbooking is that there is no wrong or right way, but your way.  Do what makes you happy.

What do you want the focal point of the page to be?  Do you want to focus on a person, or an activity?  Or do you want a memento or embellishment to be the center of attention?  Whatever your choice, make sure to build around it.  You could put a large picture of a person in the center of the page to spotlight them, and then place smaller photos, cropped in various shapes and sizes to magnify the focal point.  Or put the larger picture at the top and have smaller ones coming down like a pyramid.

Layering adds personality and charm to your scrapbook.  There are different ways to accomplish this.  You can take a picture and frame it with the precut frames, or create your own frame to put around it.  It could be straight or jagged; whatever you think will add to it.  If you don't want to use paper, you can always go with markers, paints or even glitter.  Layer the background if you desire.  Place decorations around the edges or woven in between pictures.  Use embellishments for this purpose.  If you are not satisfied with your layout, don't give up.  Keep on trying different ideas.  There are many ideas on line or in magazines or books.  It's wonderful to be able to mix and match to achieve the perfect look for your book.  Scrap on!