Scrolling through endless Instagram accounts, you've probably noticed some feeds that are a little all over the place — random colors, filters and an overall sense of confusion. If you're wondering how to create a cohesive Instagram feed that looks intentional, you're in the right place. Before we dive into the nitty gritty, let's start with the most important step: having a strategy.
Start with a Strategy
Before you post anything, you need a game plan. What’s the purpose of your Instagram feed? Are you a business owner building a brand, a travel blogger, or simply trying to showcase your daily life with polished, quality content?
Defining your goals will help you make consistent choices that align with your overall vision. Think about your target audience, the message you want to convey, and the kind of content you’re excited to create. With this Instagram strategy in place, you’ll have a clear direction and won’t waste time second-guessing every decision.
Find Your Aesthetic
Your aesthetic is the backbone of your IG feed. It’s the overall vibe, brand style, and mood that you want to convey. Are you going for a palette that has a bright pop of color, or a minimalist, neutral palette? Edgy or modern? Whatever you choose, commit to it like you’ve signed a contract. You only have one chance at making a good first impression. With that being said, changing your aesthetic every few posts will make your feed look inconsistent. The last thing you want to do is confuse new visitors.
Once you have an aesthetic, think about what kind of images will support it. Whether it’s nature shots, flat lays, or urban scenes, curate your content to reflect the style you want to project. Not into an aesthetic look? That's okay too! These tips don't fit everyone's strategy but we hope we can help you get started and find your personal Instagram aesthetic.
Choose a Color Palette and Lock it In
A consistent color palette is key to a cohesive Instagram feed. Pick a few colors (3-5) with similar tones that will be present throughout your posts. This doesn’t mean every photo has to look the same, but it does mean there should be a sense of cohesion across your images.
Use these colors in your backgrounds, outfits, props, and even in the tones of your photos. Your palette should become your signature, giving your followers a sense of visual continuity as they scroll through your feed.
Filters are Your Friends
Use a photo editing app like Lightroom or VSCO to add your own style to your images. Apps like these also have preset packs that make the editing process much faster. You could always use the built-in Instagram filters for a more budget-friendly option as well.
Creating a cohesive feed often boils down to the way you edit your photos. Choose a photo filter that aligns with your aesthetic and color palette, then use them consistently. Adjust settings like brightness, contrast, and saturation to maintain the same look across all images. Do this and you'll have a beautiful feed with a cohesive look.
Plan Your Feed Because Winging it is for the Birds, Not Brands
Your Instagram grid is like a puzzle — each post is a piece that should fit together with the rest. Think about how your images flow from one to the next. Do you want alternating patterns, a checkerboard effect, or perhaps rows of similar content?
Planning your layout helps avoid a cluttered look and creates a visually appealing grid. The best way to do this is by using a planning app such as Planoly to see how your posts will look before you publish them. This allows you to rearrange and adjust until everything looks just right.
Published is Better than Perfect
Perfection is overrated so don’t stress over making every post flawless. Instead, focus on maintaining a consistent style and color tone. A consistent Instagram feed is more about creating a unified look than achieving a perfect one. The occasional deviation is fine; it adds a bit of personality. Just aim for a general sense of balance in your colors, editing style, and content themes.
Bonus Tip: Being consistent is also better than perfect to maximize Instagram engagement. Remember to review analytics to see what's performing well. From there, you can determine if an update is needed.
Batch Create Content
Batching content is a great way to maintain a well-curated grid layout. Dedicate a day or two each month to shooting, editing, and planning your posts. This helps you maintain a consistent look and ensures that you’re not scrambling to find content last minute.
Planning in advance makes a BIG difference. This allows you to think about upcoming holidays, trends, or special events and create content that aligns with your overall strategy. This not only saves time but also keeps your whole feed looking polished and well-thought-out.
That's a Wrap
Knowing how to create a cohesive Instagram feed is all about planning, consistency and staying true to your personal brand. Start with a solid strategy, stick to your color scheme, edit your photos consistently, and batch-create content. That's all there is to it. A feed that feels natural yet intentional is the sweet spot you're aiming for.
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