Instagram story backgrounds are significant to help you develop a visual identity on your Instagram profile. With millions of stories posted every day, the background plays a huge role in how engaging, readable, and effective your message becomes.
You can use a single color in the Instagram background, a pattern, or a picture, for instance. There are thousands of possibilities. However, you should consider the message you wish to convey and how the background can enhance the user experience.
Whether you're a creator, a digital marketer, or a brand building an online presence, choosing the right Instagram story background boosts:
- Visual appeal
- Story clarity
- Engagement (polls, DMs, link taps, replies)
- Brand consistency
- Watch-through rates
- Memorability
Why Instagram Story Backgrounds Matter
A background is more than a pretty layer — it frames the entire message and influences how your audience interacts.
Here’s why backgrounds matter so much:
1. They Improve Readability
Text needs contrast. A strong background ensures followers can easily read your message, CTA, or product details.
2. They Set the Mood
Colors and textures influence emotion. For example:
- Blue = calm, trust
- Red = urgency, attention
- Pastels = soft, feminine
- Black = luxury, elegance
3. They Reinforce Branding
Using consistent backgrounds helps to create a recognizable visual identity.
4. They Make People Stop Scrolling
High-impact visuals improve retention and engagement.
5. They Influence Conversions
Better visuals help drive more clicks, taps, and purchases.
How to Choose the Right Instagram Story Background
Before choosing a story background, try to answer the questions below. They will help you understand what kind of design is more suitable to help you reach your goals with the story.
Does it match your brand identity?
The colors, fonts, and elements should feel like "you." When you use the same elements on your story backgrounds, the audience connects them to you, which helps to strengthen your personality traits and differentiates you from others.
Does it support the message (not compete with it)?
Busy images difficult readability and increase the chances of having viewers skip the story. Opt for simple backgrounds for promos, quotes, and announcements
Does it increase readability?
Your message needs to be clear and easy to read. Avoid backgrounds that difficult readability. High contrast is essential because it helps to highlight the text and draw attention to it.
Does it guide attention to your CTA or content?
Use elements that point to "Link", "DM", "Tap here", "Swipe up", etc.
Is it optimized for vertical mobile viewing?
Always use 1080 × 1920 px.
15 Best Instagram Story Background Ideas
Canva
1. Dreamy
This Instagram story background has a young and modern design, and it's great to create stories with inspirational phrases. It's colorful and fun, but with soft tones, so they won't make it difficult to read the story.
Instagram story backgrounds 1
2. Neutral Feminine
The minimalist design of this Instagram story template has a lot to do with fashion brands. It's cool and modern, perfect for sharing photos from your feed. It can help to drive attention to the image.
Instagram story backgrounds 2
3. Catalogue Collage
This story template can be used by stores to promote their product catalog through the stories. Choose the best product images, and display them as shown in the example below. Enjoy inserting a link to your ecommerce website.
Instagram story backgrounds 3
4. Reminder
This template was built for stories where the focus is the written message. It has a design that reminds people when they open a smartphone and see a notification.
Instagram story backgrounds 4
Envato Placeit
5. Bingo Card
With this template, you can create funny stories to talk more about daily topics. Share the Instagram story background to allow your followers to answer the questions it contains, encouraging them to engage with you.
Instagram story backgrounds 5
6. Gradient Aesthetic
Enjoy this story template to promote sales from your store. You can Include a photo, the website link, and explain the sales conditions.
Instagram story backgrounds 6
7. Beauty Theme
This Instagram story template enables you to create a cover for a video you will post on the stories. You can customize the text, image, and colors on Envato Placeit.
Instagram story backgrounds 7
Pexels
8. White and Gray Surface
This Instagram story background is great for promoting videos and images from your feed. The minimalist design, with neutral colors, helps to make the content stand out.
Instagram story backgrounds 8
9. Leaves
If you are talking about natural/organic products, a nature Instagram story background can be ideal for posting written content on your stories. Be careful with the font color you choose, it needs to have good contrast with the background to make it easier to read.
Instagram story backgrounds 9
10. Gray Sand Dunes
The texture of this background gives a more interesting touch to it without adding too many elements. The minimalist design is suited for sharing feed posts on your stories.
Instagram story backgrounds 10
11. Abstract
With bright colors, you can enjoy this background to post polls and quizzes in your stories, driving attention to the questions.
Instagram story backgrounds 11
Raw Pixel
12. Paper Flower
Use this cute background to post messages to your followers, such as reminders, and inspirational phrases.
Instagram story backgrounds 12
13. Gold Abstract Frame
The details on the borders of this image work as a frame, which is great for posting pictures on your stories.
Instagram background stories 13
14.Quote of The Day
Enjoy this Instagram story background to post inspirational phrases. Encourage your followers to share the story, this is a way to promote engagement.
Instagram story backgrounds 14
15. Blue Neon
This background can be used for multiple types of stories, whether it's written content, an image, or a video.
Instagram background stories 15
Pro Tips to Make Any Instagram Background Perform Better
- Keep space for text: use "white space zones" for better readability.
- Use brand fonts: increases consistency & recognition.
- Limit your palette: too many colors are too distracting.
- Mix static + motion backgrounds: keep your content fresh.
- Add subtle shadows behind text: boosts readability dramatically.
- Use interactive stickers on clean backgrounds: sliders, polls, and quizzes need clarity.
