The Newbury Girl

110+ Flatlay Backdrop Ideas

100+ Flat Lay Backgrounds for Bloggers

October 1, 2019

I love flat lay photography. Not only do I love viewing flat lay photography, but I love styling flat lays for my blog. At first, I felt discouraged at the quality of my photos. But I keep improving my flat lay skills. Lighting and featured products play a vital role in creating the perfect flat lay, but unique flat lay backgrounds set the mood for the entire photo. In today’s post, I’m sharing 100+ flat lay backgrounds for bloggers.

What is a Flat Lay?

A Flat Lay is typically an aerial, product-focused shot. Moreover, these shots can feature a wide variety of products. However, flat lays were popularized within the beauty, fashion, and lifestyle community.

Contrary to popular belief, ”luxe” looking flat lays are often just a trick of good lighting, photo editing, and a lovely background. However, lovely backgrounds do not have to cost much or anything at all. Keep reading today’s post for 100+ flat lay backgrounds for bloggers.

Clothing & Accessories 

Clothing and accessories make great backdrops for flat lay photos. In fact, these articles work whether the viewer knows that another featured product is laying on clothing or not. The below are amazing clothing and accessory pieces that work as flat lay backgrounds.

  1. Bandanas
  2. Beanies
  3. Blouses
  4. Canvas or cloth bags
  5. Coats (planed, patterned, bold, neutral, textured, etc)
  6. Delivery Boxes
  7. Jeans
  8. Large Headbands
  9. Leggings / Sweatpants
  10. Pants
  11. Paper/canvas shopping bags
  12. Reusable bags
  13. Scarves
  14. Shawls
  15. Sweaters
  16. Sweatshirts
  17. T-shirts
  18. Tank Tops
  19. Tote bags
  20. Winter hats
The Loveliest - Summer 2019 Beauty, Fashion, Lifestyle Favorites | Ariana Grande Merchandise & MMS Clear Bag

Ariana Grande Merch, Vogue Cover, & Clear Handbag

Indoor Furniture

In-door furniture are great backdrops for flat lays. Many of these are already in your home, so need to spend money on fancy props!

  1. Bar Carts
  2. Bathroom Counter
  3. Bed
  4. Bookshelves
  5. Bureau
  6. Couch cushions
  7. Coffee Table
  8. Desk
  9. End Table
  10. Floor Rug
  11. Flooring Samples
  12. Furry Rug
  13. Kitchen Table
  14. Kitchen Counter
  15. Marble Table Top
  16. Mirror
  17. Nightstand
  18. Shoe Bags
  19. Storage Lids
  20. Tapestry or Accent Rug
  21. Vanity
  22. Windowsill
  23. Wood Flooring
  24. Yoga Mats
Yearlong Low-Buy Update #2 | Natasha Denona Sunrise Palette

Close up of the Natasha Denona Sunrise Eyeshadow Palette

Home Decor / Home Essentials 

These home essentials are often overlooked as great sources for flat lay backgrounds for bloggers. But they shouldn’t be ignored! Whether they are used to set the color palette for your flat lay or used to enhance texture, these are awesome backdrops!

  1. Acrylic Storage Drawers
  2. Aprons
  3. Baskets (wooden, wicker, metal)
  4. Bedding (sheets, blankets)
  5. Bathmats
  6. Blackboard / Chalkboard
  7. Bulletin Board
  8. Cutting Board
  9. Decorative Blanks / Throw Blankets
  10. Decorative Napkins
  11. Decorative Plates
  12. Empty Boxes
  13. Food Trays / Magazine Trays
  14. Jewelry Holder / Jewelry Plate
  15. Hot Plates
  16. Metal Basket
  17. Paintings
  18. Photoboard
  19. Pillows
  20. Place Mats
  21. Storage Boxes (decorative or functional)
  22. Table Cloths
  23. Tin boxes
  24. Towels / Washcloths
  25. Wallpaper / Wallpaper Samples
  26. Wooden storage boxes
110+ Flat Lay Backdrop Ideas | ColourPop x Halo Top Collection Shot on a Doily Napkin

ColourPop x Halo Top Collection Shot on a Doily Napkin

Outdoor Backdrops

Outdoor backdrops are obviously the easiest and least expensive flat lay backgrounds. Air, grass, sky, etc. are all free!

  1. Beach / Sand
  2. Beach Towel
  3. Brick surfaces
  4. Grass
  5. Garden area
  6. Hammock Chair
  7. Haystack
  8. Lawn Chair
  9. Outdoor bridge
  10. Outdoor stoop
  11. Park Bench
  12. Patio Table
  13. Pavement
  14. Picnic blanket
  15. Picnic Table
  16. Sidewalk
  17. Sleeping Bag
  18. Stone surfaces
  19. Treehouse
  20. Wooden Porch
  21. Patio Table
110+ Flat Lay Background Ideas | Outdoor Backdrops | Beach Flat Lay - Sol Dry Body Oil x Kylie Lip Blushes

Beach Flat Lay on Towel & Sand shot in natural lighting. Featured products: Sol Body Shimmering Body Oil and Kabuki Brush and Kylie Lip Blush Liquid Lipsticks

Mixed Media

Not only do books enhance our ability to learn and explore diverse POVs, but they make beautiful flat lay backgrounds!

  1. Books
  2. Canvas Paintings
  3. Cards
  4. Coloring Books
  5. Design Printables
  6. Ipad
  7. Newspaper
  8. Magazines (my all-time favorite backdrop)
  9. Mail
  10. Photographs
  11. Photograph Album
  12. Photo Tent
  13. Postcards
  14. Scrapbook
  15. Vinyl record cases
110+ Flat Lay Ideas | ColourPop Guava Have It Lip Tint Duo Shot on a Magazine Spread

ColourPop Guava Have It Lip Tint Duo Shot on a Magazine Spread

Stationary

  1. Burlap squares/bags
  2. Backdrops
  3. Contact Paper
  4. Doily Paper
  5. Folders
  6. Notebooks/Notepads
  7. Planners
  8. Posterboard (plain, patterned, or colorful)
  9. Stock paper (plain, patterned, or colorful)
  10. Tissue Paper
  11. Wrapping Paper
Juvia's Place Nuban Eyeshadow Palette Review

Juvia’s Place Nubian 12-Pan Eyeshadow Palette

How to Stage the Perfect Shot?

There is such a wide variety of potential backdrops for flat lays. Moreover, these flat lay backgrounds range from totally free to super luxe. But how to stage the perfect shot?

Ultimately, you don’t need to spend a ton of money to stage the perfect shot. Using items that you already own can drastically reduce costs without sacrificing quality. In fact, with just a little bit of good lighting, and proper editing, even the most common background can look luxurious.

Moreover, good lighting and a little bit of editing can enhance the vibe of any photo. The right filter or shadows can make plain white bedsheets look luxe. Once you start to develop a unique flat lay style, it may be worthwhile to invest in new props or backgrounds.

110+ Flatlay Backdrop Ideas | Luxury Beauty Flat Lay Shot over a Magazine & Bedding

Luxury Beauty Flat Lay Shot over a Magazine & Bedding

My favorite flat lay backdrops? Personally, I’m a huge fan of flat backdrop paper, rugs, and magazines!

Let’s connect on social media: Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest | Bloglovin’ | Influenster

Working on growing your blog or social channels? Read this helpful post full of 40+ Twitter Retweet Accounts.

Are you posting content that isn’t getting any traction online? Read this post on how to write thoughtful comments or this post on how to boost your own engagement.

Do you enjoy creating or viewing flat lays? Where is your favorite place to shoot flat lays? Please let me know in the comments below.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply

Comments

    • I’m so glad you found this helpful. I thought my flatlays would never improve because I didn’t own luxury things, but between at-home props and editing, very inexpensive and common props and backgrounds can be made to look more luxe! 🙂

      Reply

  2. I’ve been abusing my blog because I felt so discouraged when it came to taking nice photos, and I don’t particularly have a creative eye that others have – but this has given me some inspiration to just keep trying new things! I’ll definitely be using your list in future 😊

    Reply

    • Aw I’m so sorry to hear that you have felt discouraged but I can totally relate because that was how I felt for the longest time. Wish you all the best with your blog and hope that this list was helpful for you!

      Reply

  3. You’re absolutely killing it with the flatlay game, girl!! I really need to up mine haha.. I have stuff lying around but most of the time I’m just plain lazy to take it out. I also need to do it during the morning / early afternoon but now that I’m at school it’s really difficult to do so and by the time I’m home, I have awful yellow lighting! Thanks for sharing the tips girl!

    Reply

    • ooo girl, if I had your design skills I wouldn’t even be thinking about flat lays lol! Ps how did I just find your art IG account??! It is so freaking cute!!

      I actually take most of my photos at night because I invested in a ring light. It was the biggest game-changer for me since I am not home often during the day.

      Reply

  5. I’ve been looking for a post like this for god knows how long. Your flat lays are always creative and varied, which I love! I never know what props to use for my photography but you’ve given such a handy list of products that I’ll deffo be using going forward. Thanks so much for this extensive list!

    Reply

  6. I’ve been looking for a post like this for god knows how long. Your flat lays are always creative and varied, which I love! I never know what props to use for my photography but you’ve given such a handy list of products that I’ll deffo be using going forward. Thanks so much for this extensive list!

    Reply

    • Ah thank you girl!!! I always felt so discouraged that my flat lays couldn’t compare to the luxe looking ones that I saw on IG, but I learned that inexpensive items can look really lovely and luxe in photos!! I’ll have to do another post on my favorite flat lay props!

      Reply

  9. Your flatlays are the best so when I saw you made this blog post, I was so excited! Love your ideas and I’m definitely using this when creating flatlays.

    Reply

  10. You really do have fantastic flatlay! I need some of these tips too because I have a beauty account that I’m always racking for ideas on how to create something visually stimulating!

    Reply

  11. I love that you made this list. I’ve been riding the struggle bus with my flat lays- though I do love taking them outside in my back yard most recently.

    Reply

  12. I started reading this post yesterday while I was at work and OMG this post is so helpful. I have loved seeing your growth with flatlays. Your IG is so beautiful. I always have a hard time with gathering props because I don’t know what to use lol. So, thank you for sharing this list!

    Much love always,
    GABBY | http://www.gabbyabigaill.com

    Reply

    • Ah thank you so much girl, I always appreciate your kind words so much. 💜 I know I have more to learn, but I’m proud of how my photos have improved over the last year! ☺️

      Reply

  13. I LOVE your flatlays, they are always so perfect & pretty. I get a backache just from taking a picture of one product though lol I don’t have “the eye” for adding in details & moving everything at the exact right angle, you know?

    Reply
Previous Sweet Summer Beauty Declutter | 21 Products Gone!
Next The Basics of Cruelty-Free Beauty

Related Posts

Project Panner Tag | Panned ColourPop Super Shock Shadow in Falling Up

The Project Panner Tag | Tips to Use Your Makeup
Blogger Tag | Would You Rather Tag

Would You Rather Blogger Tag
Blogger Tag | Blogger Recognition Award

Blogger Recognition Award: Essential Tips for New Blogg...
Blogger Love | Productivity Hacks for Bloggers

5 Free Productivity Hacks for Bloggers
%d bloggers like this: