How to Change Instagram Story Background Color (Step-by-Step Guide)

On Instagram, Stories have become the go-to way to share quick, everyday moments. In fact, many users post more Stories than traditional posts or Reels—and it makes sense. Stories disappear after 24 hours, making them perfect for casual, low-pressure updates.

But if you’ve ever created a Story, you’ve probably noticed one limitation: the default background color doesn’t always match your vibe.

The good news? Instagram gives you several easy ways to customize your Story background—whether you want a solid color, a gradient, or even a custom image. Here’s how to do it properly.

How to Set a Solid Color Background on Instagram Story

If you’re uploading a photo or video but want to control the background color behind it, you can use the built-in Draw tool.

Steps:

• Open Instagram and tap the “+” icon, then select Story
• Choose a photo or video from your gallery
• Tap the three-dot menu, then select Draw

• Pick a color from the palette or use the color dropper tool
• Press and hold anywhere on the screen

👉 The background will instantly fill with your selected color.

Bonus Tip:

• Use the eraser tool (last brush option) to reveal parts of your image while keeping the colored background

This method is perfect when your image doesn’t fill the entire screen or when you want a more creative layered look.

How to Use Gradient Backgrounds in Create Mode

If you’re making a Story without a photo or video, Instagram’s Create mode makes background customization even easier.

Steps:

1. Open Instagram → tap “+” → select Story
2. Tap “Aa” (Create mode) from the left menu
3. Add text, stickers, polls, or GIFs
4. Tap the color circle at the bottom-right

5. Each tap cycles through different gradient backgrounds.

Why Use This:

• Clean, minimal Stories
• Great for text-based updates
• No need for external design tools

How to Use a Custom Image as Background

Want full control over your Story design? You can use any image as a background with the Photo sticker feature.

Steps:

• Open the Story editor
• Tap the Stickers icon
• Select the Photo sticker
• Choose an image from your gallery

• Resize it to cover the entire screen

👉 This image now acts as your background.

Add More Layers:

• You can repeat the process to add additional images on top
• Combine photos, text, and GIFs for a more dynamic Story

How to Match Background Color with Your Photo

For a polished and cohesive look, Instagram includes a built-in color matching tool.

Here’s how:

• Open the Draw tool
• Tap the dropper icon
• Select a color directly from your photo

This ensures your background perfectly matches your image’s color palette.

Why Instagram Adds Background Colors Automatically

If your photo or video doesn’t fit the full screen, Instagram automatically fills the empty space with a background color.

This color is usually:

• Based on the dominant tones in your image
• Applied to maintain visual consistency

While helpful, it’s not always accurate—which is why manual customization is often better.

Can You Edit Story Background After Posting?

No. Once a Story is published, you cannot change its background.

If you want to modify it:

• Delete the Story
• Recreate it with the desired background
• Upload it again

Should You Use Third-Party Apps?

If you want more advanced designs, third-party tools can help.

Popular options include:

• Canva
• Picsart

These apps allow you to:

• Use templates
• Remove backgrounds
• Add advanced effects

Once your design is ready, simply export it and upload it to Instagram Stories.

Final Thoughts

Changing your Instagram Story background might seem like a small detail—but it can make a huge difference in how your content looks and feels.

Whether you’re using solid colors, gradients, or custom images, these simple tweaks help your Stories stand out and feel more intentional. And since Stories are all about quick expression, having flexible design options makes sharing even easier.

Once you start customizing your backgrounds, going back to default colors will feel… pretty limiting.