Bokeh backgrounds are great way of forcing focus on the content that is placed on top of them and are heavily used in user interface design. Bokeh backgrounds are conceptually similar to blurred backgrounds, in-fact the word bokeh comes from Japanese language, which means blur or haze.
A Bokeh effect is very often seen in photography where the background of the subject is out of focus and the subject in foreground remains in focus and appears sharp, attracting attention towards it. Similar effect is achieved by using Bokeh backgrounds with other design elements that we want the user to focus on to, while still keeping the entire visual appeal aesthetically pleasing.
In this post, we have brought together some of the best free as well as premium bokeh backgrounds sets. All these backgrounds are can be used in commercial projects. Do check the license once more before downloading as some of the free backgrounds may require an attribution.
Free Bokeh Backgrounds & Textures
These free bokeh backgrounds will act as nice backdrop for text, shapes and other elements in your design. You will also find a couple of free bokeh textures below that can be overlaid over images to add a subtle bokeh effect.
10 Free Bokeh Backgrounds
A free set of 10 High Resolution (3000×2000 px) backgrounds in vivid colors and JPG format. These backgrounds are available under Creative Commons Zero license and you are free to use them in your personal as well as commercial projects. These backgrounds are made by our own team here at Super Dev Resources.
Bokeh Backgrounds from Vandelay Design
A free set of 4 bokeh backgrounds that you can download and use in your own projects. These backgrounds are provided as free samples from a larger set of premium backgrounds.
5 HD Bokeh Backgrounds from Dreamstale
This pack includes 5 free and high-resolution (4000 x 2600 px) bokeh backgrounds in 2 different styles (normal and retro). This set is great for websites, website themes, presentations, backgrounds or anything else you like and can be used in your personal or commercial projects.
5 Spring Bokeh Backgrounds from Dreamstale
This freebie includes 5 high-resolution natural spring bokeh backgrounds. Clean and beautiful images with lens bokeh effect.
5 Bokeh Backgrounds from GraphicBurger
A set of five high quality 2500×1750 px defocused images that can be used as overlays or backgrounds in your design.
12 Free Bokeh Overlay Textures by Medialoot
This free pack by Medialoot features 12 high resolution bokeh overlay textures in JPG format at 4800 x 3200 px size. Created by photographing various points of light out of focus with a low aperture value, these textures are great for overlaying over night time photos for a dreamy effect or to simply add bokeh effect.
15 Vibrant Bokeh Backgrounds from Photoshop Tutorials
A set of 15 Vibrant bokeh backgrounds courtesy of SparkleStock. These backgrounds can be used as background of inspirational quotes app. They also work great as overlays on Wedding Photos.
5 Bokeh Effect Backgrounds from PremiumPixels
This set from PremiumPixels contains backgrounds (jpg) in size of 2500px x 1500px
10 Bokeh Light Textures Pack on DeviantArt
Created by MagnifiqueN, this free set of 10 bokeh light textures is available to download from DeviantArt in JPG format. All these are in different colors with black background that can be used with different blending modes – Screen, Linear Dodge, or Color Dodge to add colorful bokeh shapes to an image.
Bokeh Images from SplitShire
SplitShire is a great resource for free images and backgrounds and it contains a separate category for Bokeh Images.
Bonus: Premium Bokeh Background Collection
Find below our pick of premium bokeh background collections. They can be purchased at a small fee and do not require attribution when you use them in your commercial projects.
60 Bokeh Blur Backgrounds
A premium set of 60 different blur backgrounds which are great for web design or graphic design. It includes two different styles: Clean and Grunge. JPEG images are available in dimensions: 4500 x 3000 Pix 300 dpi
Blur+Bokeh Abstract Backgrounds
Another premium collection of 25 abstract background photos in blur and bokeh effect. Images are in high resolution (3888×2592 pixel @72dpi) in .jpg format and are suitable for print and web or as backgrounds for your graphics, banners, web themes and templates, covers and wallpapers.
Seamless Gold & Silver Bokehs
This quality digital paper pack includes 20 gold and silver bokeh backgrounds in High Quality 300dpi, 12 x 12 in. (3600 x 3600 px). These colorful bokeh are completely seamless, so they can be repeated or tiled over and over again.
Related: Free Gold Textures and Backgrounds
50 Bokeh Textures
Another premium collection of 50 different bokeh background images from CreativeMarket.
Use your imagination to turn these great free and premium sets of Bokeh Backgrounds into something awesome. They will be great when used as backgrounds in your apps, websites and promotional images. Please do share this post with everyone if you found it useful.