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.
- Bandanas
- Beanies
- Blouses
- Canvas or cloth bags
- Coats (planed, patterned, bold, neutral, textured, etc)
- Delivery Boxes
- Jeans
- Large Headbands
- Leggings / Sweatpants
- Pants
- Paper/canvas shopping bags
- Reusable bags
- Scarves
- Shawls
- Sweaters
- Sweatshirts
- T-shirts
- Tank Tops
- Tote bags
- Winter hats
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!
- Bar Carts
- Bathroom Counter
- Bed
- Bookshelves
- Bureau
- Couch cushions
- Coffee Table
- Desk
- End Table
- Floor Rug
- Flooring Samples
- Furry Rug
- Kitchen Table
- Kitchen Counter
- Marble Table Top
- Mirror
- Nightstand
- Shoe Bags
- Storage Lids
- Tapestry or Accent Rug
- Vanity
- Windowsill
- Wood Flooring
- Yoga Mats
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!
- Acrylic Storage Drawers
- Aprons
- Baskets (wooden, wicker, metal)
- Bedding (sheets, blankets)
- Bathmats
- Blackboard / Chalkboard
- Bulletin Board
- Cutting Board
- Decorative Blanks / Throw Blankets
- Decorative Napkins
- Decorative Plates
- Empty Boxes
- Food Trays / Magazine Trays
- Jewelry Holder / Jewelry Plate
- Hot Plates
- Metal Basket
- Paintings
- Photoboard
- Pillows
- Place Mats
- Storage Boxes (decorative or functional)
- Table Cloths
- Tin boxes
- Towels / Washcloths
- Wallpaper / Wallpaper Samples
- Wooden storage boxes
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!
- Beach / Sand
- Beach Towel
- Brick surfaces
- Grass
- Garden area
- Hammock Chair
- Haystack
- Lawn Chair
- Outdoor bridge
- Outdoor stoop
- Park Bench
- Patio Table
- Pavement
- Picnic blanket
- Picnic Table
- Sidewalk
- Sleeping Bag
- Stone surfaces
- Treehouse
- Wooden Porch
- Patio Table
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!
- Books
- Canvas Paintings
- Cards
- Coloring Books
- Design Printables
- Ipad
- Newspaper
- Magazines (my all-time favorite backdrop)
- Photographs
- Photograph Album
- Photo Tent
- Postcards
- Scrapbook
- Vinyl record cases
ColourPop Guava Have It Lip Tint Duo Shot on a Magazine Spread
Stationary
- Burlap squares/bags
- Backdrops
- Contact Paper
- Doily Paper
- Folders
- Notebooks/Notepads
- Planners
- Posterboard (plain, patterned, or colorful)
- Stock paper (plain, patterned, or colorful)
- Tissue Paper
- Wrapping Paper
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.
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!
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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.