30 AI Flat Lay Prompts for Instagram

Flat lays, the top-down styled arrangements of products and props, are an Instagram staple. They are also time-consuming to shoot. AI can create flat lay concepts and backgrounds in minutes. Use these 30 prompts as a starting point and swap in your own products.

The flat lay prompt recipe

“Top-down flat lay of [main item] with [3 to 5 props] on [surface], [arrangement], [lighting], [color palette], [aspect ratio].”

Beauty (1 to 6)

1. Top-down flat lay of a skincare routine: serum, moisturizer jar, jade roller and eucalyptus on a white marble surface, neat grid arrangement, soft daylight, neutral palette, 4:5.
2. Makeup flat lay with lipsticks, a compact and brushes on blush pink paper, diagonal arrangement, bright even light.
3. Nail polish bottles arranged in a rainbow arc on a white background, crisp shadows.
4. Spa flat lay with folded towels, bath salts, a candle and dried lavender on linen, calm muted tones.
5. Hair care products with a comb and silk scrunchies on a terrazzo surface.
6. Fragrance bottle surrounded by citrus slices and white flowers on travertine, golden light.

Food and drink (7 to 12)

7. Brunch table from above with avocado toast, coffee, berries and a newspaper, warm morning light.
8. Baking ingredients flat lay: flour, eggs, butter, rolling pin on a wooden board.
9. Coffee flat lay with beans, a pour-over and a ceramic cup on dark slate.
10. Charcuterie board with cheeses, grapes and crackers on a linen tablecloth.
11. Smoothie bowls in three colors with fruit toppings on a white table.
12. Cocktail ingredients: limes, mint, a shaker and glasses on a bar top.

Fashion and accessories (13 to 18)

13. Outfit flat lay: white sneakers, denim jacket, sunglasses and a tote on a light wood floor.
14. Jewelry flat lay with gold rings and necklaces on cream silk.
15. Men’s accessories: watch, wallet, leather belt and notebook on dark wood.
16. Workout outfit with leggings, sports bra, water bottle and earbuds on a yoga mat.
17. Summer vacation outfit with a straw hat, sandals and a linen dress on sand.
18. Winter knitwear flat lay with a beanie, scarf and mittens on a wool blanket.

Work and stationery (19 to 24)

19. Desk flat lay with a laptop, planner, pens and coffee on a white desk.
20. Creative workspace with paint swatches, brushes and a sketchbook.
21. Wedding stationery: invitation, wax seal, ribbon and dried flowers.
22. Back-to-school supplies arranged in a neat grid on a yellow background.
23. Photographer’s kit: camera, lenses and film rolls on concrete.
24. Small business packaging: boxes, tissue paper, stickers and thank-you cards.

Seasonal (25 to 30)

25. Autumn flat lay with leaves, pumpkins, a latte and a knit sweater.
26. Christmas flat lay with wrapped gifts, pine branches and ornaments.
27. Spring flat lay with tulips, a straw basket and pastel eggs.
28. Summer beach flat lay with sunscreen, a towel, shells and sunglasses.
29. Valentine’s flat lay with roses, chocolates and a handwritten card.
30. New Year flat lay with confetti, a planner and champagne glasses.

Styling tips

• Use odd numbers of props for natural balance.
• Leave negative space for text if the image is for a post.
• Stick to a tight color palette.
• For real products, place your actual product photo into an AI flat lay background. See background replacement prompts.

More visual ideas in our AI image prompts guide, and for beauty brands specifically, see AI beauty product photography.