A Better Backdrop

For some time now, you've been looking at my kitchen table and probably didn't know it.

But I did, and it bothered me. For the lack of something better, it had become my go-to spot for photos. But it was dark and reflected light and the background behind it was always cluttered. I knew that there had to be a better way to present items on my blog and for Etsy. So, I came up with a better backdrop.

Here's what you need:

Display board (the kind you use for a science fair project)

Wallpaper
Basic supplies, including ruler, pencil, glue and scissors

Here's a closeup of the wallpaper. I picked it because I liked the pattern - a raised fleur-de-lis design -- and I already had it on hand. I found it at Lowe's a few years ago.

Putting the backdrop together couldn't be simpler.

Measure the three panels of the display board -- the middle and the two sides -- and cut the wallpaper to fit. This is where the ruler, pencil and scissors come in handy.

Then glue the paper to the board. Be sure to smooth that bead of glue so that the wallpaper lays flat.

And, there you have it. Put another piece of wallpaper on the top of the table to serve as the "bottom" of your backdrop, and you'll be taking photos like this:

instead of like this:

Total cost of the project was less than $3 (because I already had the wallpaper). It took about a half-hour to make. Not bad for a backdrop that's clean, simple and very portable. Good luck with yours.

 

Comments

[laurie magpie ethel]

Great project. I love that you added the wallpaper. I have a similar screen I found at an estate sale a few years ago..painted turquoise. Really is something hand to have on hand for those photos....

[Kathy]

I use one of those tri-fold things as my "McGuiver light box" but yours is much prettier with the paper!