Styling Mats and Surfaces We Love
When we first started Sourced Co., we were obviously a fan of flat lays—but little did we know how many of them we would style in the coming months. And, with 50 collections (and counting) under our belts, we’re no stranger to the hunt for the perfect styling surface. From matte boards, plastered and painted plywood, to canvas and yards of fabric, we’ve just about used every type of surface there is!
But, we know that not everyone has the time to hit up the craft store and create a custom styling surface for every shoot. So today, we wanted to round up some of the best styling mats and surfaces we’ve come across! Though we haven’t had a chance to get our hands on all of these great options, we figured it would at least save you some research time. Read on for our roundup of details on styling mats and surfaces you should check out!
Rollable (painted canvas)
Offers a variety of color palettes
Each one is hand-painted and a one of a kind piece
Can commission a custom backdrop
Made by a real human
Starting at $70 for a 28’’x36”
Rollable (painted canvas or fabric)
Available in more than a dozen colors
Made by a real human
Ready to ship
Starting at $70 for a 35”x28” mat
Painted wood surfaces (not rollable)
Offers a variety of color palettes
Each one is hand-painted and a one of a kind piece
Made by a real human
Ready to ship options
Can commission a custom backdrop (2-3 week production time)
Available for $150 for 20’’x24’’ surface
Rollable (fabric)
5-6 week production time
Velvet options starting at $200 for 18’’x27’’
Linen and wool starting at $180 for 18’’x27’’
Stretched fabric (not rollable)
Ships in 5 business days
Available for $110 for 20”x30”
Offers a variety of color palettes
Each one is hand-painted and a one of a kind piece
Made by a real human
14-21 day production time
Rollable canvas options starting at $185 for a 22”x28”
Plasterboard options starting at $135 for an 18”x20”
Everyday items you can use as styling mats
Depending on your project and palette, sometimes you do need to create your own. But, just because you might be looking for something unique, it doesn’t mean you have to make 4 trips to the craft store and spend hours making your own. Here are our favorite everyday items (read: easy to get) that you can use as a styling mat for your flat lay styling.
Uncut matte board (You can find this in the framing section of most craft stores and we use them often!)
Posterboard (If you are styling food, this is a great option since it is inexpensive and you don’t have to stress about getting oil stains on it.)
Fabric (We love using fabric because it is easy to store but you should definitely invest in a portable steamer to make sure you can get all the wrinkles out before styling your flat lay on top of it.)
Linens (If you have rented linen for your photoshoot, don’t hesitate to use it as your styling surface after you’ve broken down the tablescape!)
Desks, countertops, and floors (The key here is to choose a spot that doesn’t have seams and is neutral so it doesn’t pull attention away from what you are styling.)
Canvas (Whether you purchase it stretched or not, canvas is a great styling mat and is easy to paint yourself if you have the need for a very specific color.)
Looking for more ways to up your styling game? Our popular acrylic styling blocks are the perfect tool to add to your flat lay styling kit! Learn more about our 6 sets or build your own with exactly what you need in The Shop!
