Video podcasts offer a unique way to engage with your audience. Adding a visual element to your podcast helps you build a deeper connection with your audience and strengthens your visibility as a presenter. It also provides a tremendous boost for your social media presence, allowing you to share short clips that capture the spirit of your show and help you attract a new audience.
But if you want your video podcast to really stand out and deliver an engaging experience for viewers as well as listeners, it’s going to take more than just screen recording your Zoom calls. For a truly professional video podcast, you need a set – a comfortable, well-furnished and properly laid-out space for you and your guests.
Of course, building a podcast set is no simple task. From finding the perfect space to choosing the right backdrop and lighting, the choices can feel overwhelming. If you don’t have the time, resources or technical know-how, you might find yourself struggling to achieve the results you’re aiming for.
And that’s where we come in. Here at Liverpool Podcast Studios, we’ve spent years crafting the right balance of comfort and professionalism across our wide selection of podcast sets. We’re here to walk you through everything you need to consider when crafting your perfect video podcast set.
Step 1: Finding the right space
Before you start buying furniture or designing backdrops, the foundation of any successful video podcast set is the space itself. Choosing the right room will make all the difference in the visual and audio quality of your show.
The first thing is to think about the size and layout of the room you’re going to use for your set. How much space you’ll need depends on the style and format of your show. If it’s a solo show or an interview-based podcast with just you and a single guest, you can probably work with a smaller space – a spare bedroom could do the trick. Panel shows or roundtables, needless to say, need more room. And don’t forget: you need to place your cameras, lighting and backdrops, too.
Secondly, though we’re focused on video here you still need to think about sound quality. You’ll want to make sure the space you choose isn’t too noisy – no busy street outside or loud air conditioning system – and you could also consider investing in some basic soundproofing. Acoustic panels may seem like a major investment, but they can make a huge difference to the sound quality of your podcast, especially if you’re struggling to reduce outside noise.
Step 2: Building your podcast set
So, you’ve found the ideal space – now it’s time to bring your video podcast vision to life! This part is where the bulk of your planning will go, and likely the bulk of your budget, too.
You need to make sure that you build a podcast set that’s not just visually appealing but that’s also highly practical. If it looks great in person but there’s no room for an adequate lighting setup, it’s not going to work.
Let’s look at the most important considerations:
- Backdrops. The backdrop behind you sets the visual tone. It can be as simple as a neutral-coloured wall or as dynamic as a green screen for limitless creative possibilities. If your podcast has established branding, a custom-designed backdrop can instantly reinforce your identity. However, in most cases something subtle and neutral will work best – after all, the focus is on you and your guests.
- Furniture. Comfort is key for you and any potential guests, but don’t overlook how furniture style contributes to the overall ambiance. Modern pieces project a different feel than cosy, overstuffed chairs. Think about table height for comfortable microphone placement and how the arrangement facilitates your desired format. Again, if you’re doing a lot of roundtable discussions, your needs will be different from a one-on-one interview podcast.
- Lighting. Excellent lighting is essential for a professional-looking video. Aim for soft, even lighting that minimises harsh shadows. A classic three-point lighting setup (key light, fill light, backlight) is a great place to start and offers excellent control over your visual presentation.
- Decor. Let your personality or podcast theme shine through with tasteful additions to your set. Consider items like plants, subtle artwork, books that align with your content, or subtly branded elements that add interest to the background without becoming visually distracting.
Crafting a visually appealing set is a critical part of transforming your podcast into a video experience that captivates your audience. From the backdrop you choose to the thoughtful placement of furniture, lighting, and decor, each element plays a role in creating a professional and engaging atmosphere.
By carefully considering how these pieces work together, you’ll establish a unique visual identity for your show, reinforce your brand, and create a space that welcomes both you and your guests.
Step 3: Optimising your space
You’ve got the fundamentals in place – your furniture is built and positioned, your backdrop is carefully chosen, and you’ve added a few nice details to bring out your personality. Now it’s time to make those smaller tweaks that can make all the difference.
By making the following optimisations to your space, you’ll be able to deliver a visually engaging podcast that will keep people coming back each week:
- Minimising distractions. Take a critical look at your set. Are there bare walls, windows, or reflective surfaces that create harsh highlights or distracting patterns? Soften reflections with curtains, diffusers, or strategic furniture placement to keep the focus on your content.
- Creating a focal point. Arrange your furniture and decor to subtly guide the viewer’s eye toward you and your guests. Consider visual cues like the placement of your main light source, using contrasting colours in your backdrop, or positioning your most visually interesting decor items subtly behind the speaking area.
- Staying organised. A clean, clutter-free set looks instantly professional. Invest in creative cable management solutions, keep equipment tucked away when not in use, and consider on-set storage options that blend seamlessly with your backdrop or decor. Ultimately, big bundles of trailing wires probably won’t give you the look you’re aiming for.
Remember, even with a fantastic foundation, a few simple tweaks can significantly elevate your video podcast’s visual appeal. By minimising distractions like harsh reflections and clutter, subtly guiding your viewer’s focus toward the main content area, and maintaining a clean, organised set, you’ll create a polished and professional space that keeps your audience engaged.
The DIY podcast set vs. a professional podcast studio
Setting up a video podcast set at home offers the undeniable appeal of convenience and a space customised for your show. However, it’s important to be aware of the challenges.
For many people, finding a dedicated room large enough can be difficult. Ideally, your setup will need to remain in place so that you can record regularly. That means you’re effectively ruling out using that room for any other purpose. Additionally, achieving a truly professional look and sound quality at home often requires a significant investment in equipment, soundproofing, lighting, and decor.
If you’re struggling to find the right space or wary of the technical challenges you might face, working with a professional podcast studio provides a compelling alternative. Studios often boast pre-designed sets with diverse looks or the flexibility to tailor a setup to your exact needs.
Most importantly, they provide expert tech support as and when you need it. Studio engineers handle the setup, recording, and often offer editing services, saving you time, stress, and ensuring top-quality results. You can just turn up ready to record and let them take care of the rest.
Choose the right podcast set for you with Liverpool Podcast Studios
As we’ve discussed previously, upgrading to a video podcast is a bold and exciting step – it can have a truly transformative impact on your reach and help you grow your audience rapidly. But to have the impact you’re looking for, you need a set that’s visually appealing and which projects the professional feel you’re looking for. And that’s no mean feat.
With the three steps outlined above, you should be able to turn a spare room or office space into the perfect podcast set. But if you want a simpler and more flexible option, why not work with a podcast recording studio?
Here at Liverpool Podcast Studios, we have an extensive range of podcast sets for you to choose from – all highly comfortable and visually appealing, of course. Our sets are fully configurable, so whether you want to host a formal roundtable discussion or a relaxed one-on-one interview, we can have you ready to record in no time. All our sets can be completely tailored to your specific needs, from lights, furniture and backdrops to adding your own branded props. Check out our studios page to see some of the options we have available. We’ll also take care of the recording, editing and post-production, too. You can relax and focus on what really matters – delivering the insightful and engaging content your listeners expect.
To learn more about our podcast recording process and discuss your needs with our expert team, get in touch today.