What Are Flatlays, And Why They’ll Always Be Relevant in Visual Content

Hey girlies,

From dreamy morning scenes with books and coffee to sleek product showcases on clean white backdrops, flatlay photography has become a staple of modern visual storytelling. And for good reason! ♥

Mastering the flatlay can instantly level up your content game. Whether you’re a content creator, small business owner, or just someone who loves taking pretty pictures..

In this post, I’ll walk you through what flatlays are, why they’re still so relevant, and my best tips to create scroll-stopping, shareable flatlay photos.

✦ What Is a Flatlay?

A flatlay is a photo taken from directly above — a “bird’s eye view” — of objects laid out on a flat surface. Think of it like creating a scene, styled carefully, that tells a story from top-down.

Flatlays can be:

• Minimal and product-focused (e.g. beauty product launches)
• Cozy and lifestyle-inspired (books, candles, tea cups)
• Messy-chic (think: “creative desk chaos”)
• Themed or seasonal (holiday flatlays, back-to-school setups, etc.)

They’re incredibly versatile and easy to shoot with just your phone and some good light.

✦ Why Flatlays Will Always Be Relevant

Flatlays might not be trendy in the TikTok sense right now, but here’s the truth:
Flatlays are timeless.

Why? Because they offer the perfect combination of:

• Clarity – Everything is visible and easy to understand
• Aesthetic control – You style exactly what’s in the frame
• Product storytelling – Flatlays allow you to build context, mood, and value around an item
• Versatility – Great for social media, blogs, Pinterest, product listings, and more

Whether you’re showcasing a new product or creating lifestyle content, a well-done flatlay is always a safe and effective choice.

✦ Tips for Creating Great Flatlay Photos

Ready to start creating your own? Here are my go-to tips:

1. Natural Light Is Your Best Friend

Soft, diffused daylight is ideal, especially near a window in the morning or late afternoon.
Avoid direct sunlight (it creates harsh shadows) and skip overhead bulbs (they usually cast weird color tones).

2. Start with a Clean, Simple Background

Your background sets the tone. Try:

• White poster board or foam core
• Wood surfaces
• Linen or textured fabrics
• Paper backdrops (solid colors or subtle prints)

Keep it neutral or lightly textured to avoid pulling focus from your subject.

3. Choose a Color Palette

Stick to 2–3 key colors that complement each other (and your brand, if relevant).
Too many colors = visual clutter.

Use props to support this palette: mugs, notebooks, beauty products, florals, or whatever fits your scene.

4. Style with Intention — But Keep It Real

Place your main object first, then build around it with supporting elements.

Try:

• Layering textures (fabric, paper, wood, ceramics)
• Varying item sizes and shapes
• Leaving some “breathing space” in your layout
• Adding personal touches (glasses, coffee, hands, etc.)

Make it look styled, but not over-staged.

5. Shoot from Directly Above

Use a tripod or stand on a chair to get that top-down angle.
Make sure your phone or camera is level to avoid awkward tilts.

Use the grid setting on your phone’s camera to help with alignment and balance.

6. Edit Lightly to Enhance, Not Distract

A little editing goes a long way:

• Brightness and contrast
• Slight warmth or cool tones
• Subtle shadows and sharpness

Avoid heavy filters. Flatlays should feel clean and tactile.

✦ Bonus: Use Flatlays in Your Digital Content

Flatlays aren’t just for Instagram! They work beautifully for:

• Pinterest graphics
• Blog post visuals
• Product pages or mockups
• Printable downloads
• Carousel posts
• Email headers
• Mood boards and digital collages

And if you want to skip the shooting altogether, I often share background-free flatlay mockups in my Freebies section — perfect for adding your own product or content into an already styled scene ✧

Final Thoughts: Flatlays Are Here to Stay

No matter how visual trends evolve, the flatlay will always have a place — because it’s clean, creative, and incredibly adaptable.

It’s not just about showing what you have — it’s about showing who you are and how your product, content, or lifestyle fits into a bigger picture.

So whether you’re documenting your desk, planning a product launch, or just playing with props and light — flatlays are the perfect way to capture it all from the top down.

xoxo,
Lucy ♡₊˚