Click on link above to view a really helpful blog that has posted inspriration for magazine layouts. You would be foolish not to have a look and utilise some of the ideas.
Examples of a flatplan and other very interesting ideas to help you with the creation of a magazine cover, contents page and indeed, a double page spread. It is worth attempting to find similar sites yourselves to gain insight from the pov of other media creative types.
Click on the picture of Zac Efron to find a rather useful magazine terms glossary. For those of you attempting to create your own magazine covers this is essential reading.