When you start making video podcasts, you’ll need to factor in aesthetics. Podcast backgrounds enhance visual engagement and reinforce your brand identity. But what backdrop should you use?
Live backgrounds are more authentic, so they work better than virtual backdrops. The right color combos, decor, and branding elements help to maximize impact. But the choice between a minimalist space, a textured wall, or a nature-inspired environment depends on your niche and audience.
In this post, we’ll take a closer look at why you need a background for podcast episodes. Then, we’ll get some inspiration from top creators and provide tips to find the perfect podcast background idea for your show. Let’s get started!
Why Your Podcast Background Matters
Making the decision to record video episodes opens up a whole new realm of possibilities as well as a different set of challenges. Mainly, you’ve got to start thinking about aesthetics.
Last year, over 50 percent of the top podcasts have published videos as well. Many listeners have expressed a preference for video podcasts while 30 percent said the choice between audio/video depends on the content. This helps explain why YouTube is the most popular platform for Americans to access podcasts. Finding the right podcast background idea can help making your show much more appealing.
With more people tuning in to the video version of your show, you need to think about the whole picture. Naturally, your podcast setup should look professional, so that viewers know that you take your job seriously.
However, it’s also an opportunity to convey the right message, tone, or feel for your brand. If you host a creative podcast, you might create a quirky, characterful backdrop that features tapestries, bookshelves, or posters.
On the other hand, a tech podcast might prefer a simple space, keeping the focus on the lighting or equipment. This allows you to reinforce your brand identity which “fuels recognition” (Alina Wheeler) and provides consistency for your followers.
Types of Podcast Backdrops
When we talk about your podcast background, we’re referring to whatever shows up behind you in a video podcast recording. Typically, you have two main options for a podcast background: virtual and live.
Virtual Backdrops
If you use a virtual background, your real setup won’t be visible. Instead, you’ll import an image that sits behind you, creating whatever illusion you like.
This is super convenient because you don’t need to worry about de-cluttering your space. It’s also a good option if you’re just starting out and don’t have a dedicated podcast studio.
The problem with virtual backgrounds is that people can usually tell they aren’t real. If you don’t have a green screen, digital backdrops can also be glitchy, which disrupts the viewing experience and hinders your credibility.
Live Backgrounds
Live backgrounds reveal what actually sits behind you, so people can see your decor, furnishings, etc. If you opt for a live podcast background, you have to make sure it looks presentable.
The advantages of live backdrops make the extra work worthwhile. They’re much more authentic, which can be more inviting and welcoming to an audience.
This is especially important if you hope to build a strong sense of community for your show. Plus, they work well for unscripted shows where podcast guests open up to share personal stories or advice.
If you like the idea of a live background but it feels like too much hassle, you can explore hybrid options. These look more professional than digital backgrounds, but are less maintenance than live ones.
For example, you could purchase a photography backdrop screen, which reduces the chance of glitching. This also allows you to experiment with different backdrops like a textured wall, outdoor area, or library.
Essential Elements of a Great Podcast Background
Now that you know your options for creating a podcast background, here are the elements that make a backdrop visually appealing:
- Lighting and color balance. If you’re recording during daytime,”facing the windows will be an excellent source of light to your face” (Julian Langham). Proper lighting equipment like softbox or ring lights enhance visuals and reduce shadows. You’ll also want to pick colors that complement your skin tone.
- Brand and consistency. When you start a podcast, you need to create a brand identity that stands out. Unique logos, fonts, and color schemes play a key role in shaping your brand image. For example, a meditation podcast might use earthy tones or soft calm-evoking shades.
- Depth and composition. In the words of Peter Adams, great shooting is about “depth of feeling, not depth of field.” So pay attention to the full frame captured in your video recording. Faces appear best in the middle of the screen. You should also de-clutter the environment to limit distractions and use backlights to make the space behind you more visually stimulating.
- Minimalism vs personalization. Although you want to keep your podcast background tidy, you could use decorative items that reflect your podcast niche or topic. For example, you might like to feature art or posters on the walls if you talk about pop culture. Or, you could place plants and flowers around the room if your niche is sustainability.
Typically, you’re aiming to create an environment that looks clean and professional, but still captures your show’s unique character.
Podcast Background Ideas
By now, you should know that a podcast background is a great way to make your video episodes visually engaging. Your backdrop should be unique and specific to your show. We’ve looked into dozens of different podcasts and YouTube video shows to find the best podcast backdrop ideas. Here are some podcast background examples of popular podcast, to give a few ideas and inspiration.
Modern Minimalism
The minimalist background is characterized by clean lines, neutral tones, and limited decor. This podcast backdrop looks polished and professional while ensuring the viewer’s attention remains on you.
Typically, it’s a great fit for tech or business podcasts, or any show with a strong focus on productivity or self-improvement:
It’s essential that the space is kept clean and tidy to amplify the modern minimalist vibe.
Contrary to what you may be thinking, this backdrop idea doesn’t have to be boring. You could still incorporate a plant or a piece of art to make the environment more welcoming. You might also use statement pieces like an interesting lamp or inventive lighting.
Stylish Bookshelves
If knowledge is a critical part of your show, what better way to demonstrate your expertise than a beautiful well-curated bookshelf? This is ideal for podcasts about literature, psychology, or history:
You can create a sense of sophistication and authority with an organized, well-balanced shelf.
For a more aesthetic look, you could arrange books by size/color. If you have a quirky brand identity, you could accompany titles with potted plants, lamps, or other personal objects.
Textured Wall
Creative podcasts benefit from a characterful background that offers plenty of depth and texture. In this case, industrial walls or exposed brick work perfectly:
Not only is this podcast background visually stimulating, but it can also evoke a gritty, moody atmosphere or inject an urban, edgy feel to your show. The raw nature of this backdrop highlights the authenticity of your content, making it ideal for artists, musicians, or film makers.
Nature Backdrops
A nature-inspired podcast background is a great choice for shows in the wellness or mindfulness space. It relies on elements like exposed wood, decorative rugs, natural textures, and thriving plants:
The color scheme plays a key role in this type of environment, typically sliding towards earth tones, soft neutrals, or calming pastels. Warm lighting also creates a peaceful ambience.
Branded Background
You can make a memorable impact by opting for a custom background that features your brand colors and podcast logo. This builds brand awareness, so it plays a key role in your wider marketing strategy:
This background idea works best for branded podcasts with bold, engaging visual elements. You’ll also need to position the graphics clearly on the screen and make sure they aren’t obstructed by any other items.
Budget-Friendly Podcast Background Ideas
A common misconception is that creating an effective podcast backdrop is pricey. In actual fact, there are tons of DIY hacks and low-cost methods for enhancing your space:
- Use printed or fabric backdrops. You can pin up curtains or rugs on the wall behind you. This adds a professional touch without expenses.
- Opt for DIY lighting options. There are tons of affordable LED lights and softboxes available on sites like Amazon. Just have a play around with lighting angles to find the best look.
- Rearrange home decor. This is ideal for a simple podcast background. Often, your existing furniture will suffice, but you may need to re-organize the space to make it look fresh and appealing.
- Find thrifted or second-hand decor pieces. These may include lamps, clocks, or posters to match your brand’s aesthetic. This is especially useful if you want to design a retro studio setup.
The above ideas will keep costs low as you start creating high-quality video podcasts. Eventually, you may wish to upgrade your podcast studio design or change the decor as your show evolves.
Common Podcast Background Mistakes to Avoid
While a great podcast background works wonders for your show’s aesthetic, it’s also crucial for sustaining viewer engagement. Here are some common pitfalls that can take away from your professional setup:
- Overly distracting elements. You want to create an interesting podcast background, but it shouldn’t steal the show. Avoid loud colors, busy patterns, and massive objects that distract from your content.
- Poor lighting. Often, podcasters remember to highlight themselves, but neglect the podcast backdrop. Flat or unbalanced lighting impacts visibility, so consider using backlights or LED strips to balance and soften lighting.
- Clutter and messy spaces. Even if you’re aiming for a quirky podcast background, keep clutter to a minimum so that it doesn’t turn chaotic. A streamlined setup is often more aesthetic and limits distractions.
- Mismatched branding. You want to present a cohesive brand identity, so your podcast backdrop should align with other visual elements like your logo, artwork, and social media graphics.
Finally, we recommend recording a quick test episode to see how your podcast background appears on film. You can always tweak smaller parts of the background as you go, and add different types of items, lightning and so on if needed. It’s always a good idea to refresh your background every once in a while, just to make sure it’s not getting too boring for viewers.
Conclusion
A podcast background makes your episodes look more professional, but it’s also important for engagement and branding. Whether you opt for a virtual or live background, you have to consider lighting, depth, and personalization.
Different podcast background ideas are also suited to specific niches. For example, a tech podcast might opt for a minimalist space while a creative podcast might prefer an exposed brick wall. You can also keep costs low by opting for DIY lighting options and/or thrifting decorative items.
At Beamly, you’ll get all the podcasting features you need as well as stunning pre-made templates to ensure that your designs look professional. Get started for free today!
