DIY Food & Flat Lay Backdrops

Today I will share with you my top 5 ways to create unique and inexpensive DIY food & flat lay backdrops. When we are first starting out it feels like we need all the things to create beautiful images. But the best way is to start with very simple and inexpensive backdrops. These bring a little bit of oomph to your image without breaking the bank.

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1. Use your current countertops, tabletops or wood floors:

This first one isn’t anything that you have to create. But it has to be mentioned because using what you already have is always the best way to start. I use my kitchen countertops and dining room table quite often. My countertops are a white quartz and it’s great for when I’m looking to create bright and airy food photos. And my dining room table is old reclaimed wood and is great for rustic and moody food photos.

2. Wallpaper / Wrapping Paper / Contact Paper / Poster Boards

These types of supplies are easily found at dollar stores and are inexpensive to purchase as well as easily stored. These types of backdrops are also great if you’re looking for some fun colours to work with (poster boards or wrapping papers etc.). You can also find contact paper rolls that are made to look like marble countertops or even wood.

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3. Foam core or thin painters canvas – plain or painted

Foam core can also be found at the dollar store. It usually comes in white or black. They are also great as a reflector (white) or use them to direct or block any extra light (black). If you decide to paint or texture your foam core, just be aware that they can warp, or the top layer of paper may come apart from the board. I have painted a few and I still use them occasionally. But the warping can make it harder to work with if I’m trying to style a larger scene because things won’t lay flat on my board where it has warped. However, they are still great to use if you’re in a pinch or are craving to try out a new texture or look.

I started painting thin painters canvases to get away from the warping as they will not do that, but with a canvas your texture is already there for you. You can paint it with a solid colour or create added texture by using multiple colours. You can usually find packs of these canvases at places like Walmart.

4. Scrap Pieces of Wood / Hardboards

You can create a tabletop look with scrap wood. Stain, or paint them to create different types of looks. If you have the tools, you can cut grooves into the wood to give it a tabletop effect to your backdrop and then use a stain to add whichever colour you’re aiming for. I have one in dark blue.

If you have small strips/pieces of wood, you can place them together to create that tabletop effect too. Once they’re placed together you can attach them with two smaller pieces of wood underneath to keep them all together as one piece.

But, if you don’t have the tools to create a tabletop effect or small pieces of wood you can place together for that look, you can also use paint or drywall compound to create a textured backdrop. Once your compound is dry you can also paint it in different shades as well. If you’re using paints and compounds, you can purchase a food safe sealer, but if you’re not placing your foods directly onto the surface you don’t have to seal it.

5. Baking Sheets and Fabrics

Don’t have any of the above products, or the time to create them? Don’t worry, you can use your baking sheets. I usually save these items for smaller close-up images as my baking sheets aren’t big enough to style a full scene onto.

Another great option is big cutting boards or food serving trays, they might not fill your whole scene, but you can style your scene so that the board or tray is filling up the majority of your image and have it placed on a table or the floor.

With fabrics, you can either use tea towels for a backdrop or create a cozy scene with a makeshift bed (or if you aren’t shooting late in the evening when everyone is in bed like me, then you can use your bed as a backdrop).

I hope you enjoyed these 5 easy backdrop ideas for creating food photos or flat lays, if you have any questions about how I created my backdrops you can find me over on Instagram at @annas_food_stop

Check out Anna’s amazing mini course on Food Photography here: Whimsical Food Photography