15 Instagram Photo Props That Will Make Your Feed Shine

Curating your Instagram feed can be pretty fun. Thinking about how your shot is going to come together, and arranging the layout, is when you can really let your creative juices flow. But sometimes it doesn’t exactly go to plan. And that’s not because we don’t have the photography skills … it’s because we don’t have the right Instagram photo props!

Over the past few months I’ve collected a whole bunch of items that have come in really handy for my Insta phots. About 90% of my purchases have been from Etsy so I thought I would dedicate a whole post to some of my top finds. It’s great being able to get ahold of some really unique items and support small businesses at the same time.

Take a look at the props below and use some of them to brighten up your feed. You’ll honestly notice such a difference in the quality of your pictures!

Vases

I have a bit of a vase obsession at the minute and mini vases are my ultimate weakness. I’m really loving the rustic farmhouse style trend so these ceramic-style vases are great. They look so chic on a dresser or bedside table so you’ll definitely get use out of them, even when you’re not using them as a prop!

Dried Flowers

Ok, so you have your vase, now you’re going to need something to go in it. While real plants are great, they’re not always the most practical … and they wilt pretty quickly! I usually opt for dried flowers instead because they require no maintenance at all.

Wooden boards

Yes, these are chopping boards. But you don’t necessarily have to use them just for food! These make excellent Instagram photo props no matter what your niche is. I like to use them to add some contrast to white (or otherwise plain) backgrounds. It adds a really nice touch!

Marble contact paper

As far as Instagram photo props go, marble paper is a must-have. I feel like this is something that everyone should own – it just comes in so handy! You can go down the sticky back plastic route, but I find it easier to work with matte gift wrap. It doesn’t reflect the light and it’s much less unwieldy.

Candles

Candles can instantly make any Instagram post pop. Even just placing them in the background helps to fill the frame and create visual interest. My favourites at the moment are these abstract soy candles. Not only do they smell amazing, but they also look super cute in pictures.

Cotton net bag

Net bags are the easiest prop to incorporate into your Instagram photos. You can wear them or use them as a centrepiece for your flat lay. Bags like these are really inexpensive and the best part is that they’re so versatile – you can literally add it to any picture and it’ll look great.

Fairy lights

If you’re keen to play around with the lighting in your Instagram photos, fairy lights or string lights are an amazing option. They create a warm, ethereal effect without being too bright or blinding. Try trailing them around objects in your set up to tie everything together.

Wire basket

This kills two birds with one stone: it makes an amazing photo prop and an effective storage solution. If you’re a beauty blogger, a wire basket is the perfect way to show off some of your empties. Or, like in the photo above, you can use it to store towels and other bathroom items. Who said Instagram photo props had to be purely decorative!

Concrete trays

The idea of a concrete tray might not grab you immediately. But when you see how cute they look in person you’ll definitely want one! These are great for showcasing makeup products or candles. They also make an excellent trinket tray or coaster. They’re soooo versatile and are such a cute decorative piece!

Art prints

Abstract art is always a winner. It livens up any photo and is the perfect way to fill empty space. What’s great is that you don’t necessarily need to attach it to the wall. Prints like these also look really cool stood up on a dresser or balanced against other items.

Stationery

I always liked the idea of confetti as a photo prop … until I realised just how long it took to clean up. Seriously, you’ll be finding little bits of paper for days afterwards! So, to avoid the mess, I opted for stationery instead. You still get the same kind of scattered effect, it’s just that paperclips and pins are so much easier to tidy up.

Blankets

You probably have blankets dotted around your house anyway, so why not incorporate them into your Instagram photos? You can use them as the base for your flat lay or drape them over other objects (e.g. wire baskets) to create a layered look. Because of their versatility, these are probably the easiest Instagram props to style.

Notebooks

Planners and notebooks are another multipurpose purchase. They’re amazing for helping you organise your life AND they make really cute photo props. Of course, your notebook can be the centrepiece. But you can also stack things on top of it to add more height and dimension to your photos.

Mugs and glasses

This is a testament to the fact that Instagram photo props don’t have to be super fancy or expensive. Sometimes just adding your favourite mug to the shot can do the trick! For extra flair, choose something fun and unique that will catch the eye of your audience, like the glass above.

Plastic crates

These plastic crates have been all over Instagram lately – they are pretty adorable so I can totally see why everyone is in love with them! Like the wire baskets, you can use them to not only show off your newest purchases, but also to store them in later. Cute AND practical – we love to see it!

Which Instagram photo props do you use? Let me know in the comments.

And if you enjoyed this post, take a read of the 20 Room Decor Ideas That Will Instantly Upgrade Your Space. You might find some more photo prop inspo there!