Stuck in virtual meetings like Zoom all day?

Then it's time to spice up your Zoom background – and we have just what it takes.

Below, find over 23 realistic HD pictures you can use as your office background for Zoom.

A. Office Background for Zoom that's Just For You

These spaces are just for you – you won't find anyone else around (even though there's plenty of space!)

1. Spacious, modern, contemporary office background for Zoom

Do you want to show off a modern, spacious, and well-lit office with a professional and sleek aesthetic? This background is ideal for Zoom calls if you aim to project a polished and contemporary business environment. So chic!

2. Light-Filled Skyline Office background

Is this the pinnacle of corporate sophistication? A skyline office, bathed in natural light, offering a harmonious blend of style and productivity, set against the inspiring backdrop of a city's heartbeat, may just be the right fit for you.

3. Working from a Virtual Work Lounge Background

Isn't this simply the dream? A beautiful and light-filled work lounge without anyone in it. Take this chair. Or that chair. In fact, try them all (just don't sit on the virtual coffee counter, something may spill.) This work lounge gives a sense of space to your next Zoom or Teams call.

4. Illustrated Work Lounge

Well, we promised realistic, but this one may have a tad more of an illustrated look. But hey, work lounges this beautiful probably don't exist in the real world? 

5. Design Studio Zoom Background

This virtual meeting background gives "I came back to the studio on a sunny Sunday afternoon and worked in peace." Sign me up! (Too bad I don't have any architectural or design skills.)

6. Book-Filled Sunny Office

This office is filled with equal parts light and books. Devoid of other people, enjoy your creative, writing, or thinking time surrounded by books, magazines, photos, and other artifacts in this virtual office.

B. Home Office Background for Zoom

If you find it a tad unrealistic that any of the above spaces would be your office, then try an aspirational home office! From minimal to messy, we've got you covered with solo workspaces.

7. Light, Professional Home Office Background for Zoom

This chic home office offers a seamless blend of comfort and professionalism. The thoughtfully designed space pairs soft, residential comforts with the clean, functional aspects of an efficient workspace. Perfect if you want to convey a softer, cozier side, but show you still mean business!

8. Busy Bookshelves Background

Look. Some call it messy. I call it collecting. A busy bookshelf behind you on your next Zoom or Teams call shows people you love reading – or at the very least collecting – books.

9. Colorful home office Zoom background

Need something a bit funkier? How about this colorful home office. It's a bit more sparse, there's a bit less designer furniture, but a lot more color. We even put a crazy alarm clock on the wall!

10. Bookworm home office background

If you like books, then this Zoom background will be like a best-seller. Just look at all those books you've read (or, at least, purchased and put on your virtual bookshelves!)

11. Creative Workspace Zoom Background

Need to show off a bit more creativity – and want to emphasize that you often burn the midnight oil for your customers or company? This creative workspace background will look amazing on your next Zoom or Teams call!

12. White Wall (or Minimalist Home Office) Zoom Background

Well, whether people consider this boring or a beautiful minimalist home office, the truth is: sometimes we just need to channel our internal Zen. And nothing conveys this better than a plain white wall. So, here it is.

C. Office Background for Zoom with Others

If you want to add a human touch to your Zoom background, these pictures may be perfect for you. Just don't forget that people MAY just notice that no one is moving but you...

13. Professional Office with Colleagues Zoom Background

The virtual office is brimming with good energy as our virtual coworkers are writing, designing, and whatever else they do on those fancy iMacs. For a super productive virtual meeting, you'll want to be surrounded by productive virtual coworkers, so that's what we created here. Plus, lot of nice natural sunlight and plants, lots of plants.

14. Creative Agency Office Background for Zoom (with pencils!)

Do people still use pencils? Well, in this virtual office that looks like a modern creative agency or design studio, they certainly do! There's also plenty of light, art, and plants. Cozy.

15. Light-Filled Office with Colleagues

In this Zoom background, you'll find light, plants, and people. With floor to ceiling windows overlooking a city in development, this will be an intruiging backdrop for your next Zoom call. See if your coworkers or customers spot some of the odd AI artifacts...

D. Unique Spaces

Not everyone want to sit in a (home) office. Let's go out and explore!

16. Resort Beach Zoom Background

Living the digital nomad dream? Working remotely or remotely working beside the beach as a lifelong dream? Well, at least virtually, your dream has come true. Check out your resort office below:

17. Library Zoom Background

Are the books in our home offices above not enough? Then step into this library! With books from wall to wall and a beautiful window ... can you almost smell it?

18. The Office Background for Zoom

Don't want to sit an an office, any office, but in "The" Office? Well, then look no further than this Zoom or Teams background, because it's literally the spot where Jim, Pam, Michael, Dwight and all other sat for the interview portions of the show. I know, hilarious.

E. Zoom Background for Interviews

If you're going for a job interview (maybe after reading our guide on how to find a remote job), you'll definitely want a proper and professional background.

Here are some options for you:

19. Book Shelf Zoom Interview Background

Let's look studious and smart by interviewing in front of a book shelf. Bonus points for the fact that there's no risk of getting in trouble for having the wrong book in your collection.

And here's the minimalist edition:

20. Cozy Living Room

Get your comfortable vibe across with this very huggable living room background. Blurred out enough not to share anything to personal.

21. Design Living Room

So this is how the other half lives? :) Showcase your design chops with this background for interviews.

22. Zoom Interview Background – Office Lobby

Interviewing in an office lobby? Why not, let them think you just finished another interview:

23. I Love to Work Background

If you want to be really un-subtle – here you go. Get that raise.

How To Install Your Zoom Background?

So now that you've downloaded your perfect office background for Zoom, how do you actually install it?

1. Open the Zoom app or enter your meeting
2. Click on zoom.us
3. Click Preferences. 
4. Select the Virtual Background. 
5. Click on the “plus” sign to upload yours.
6. Select it.

How Can I Improve My Zoom Meetings?

You can significantly improve your Zoom and Teams meetings by taking into account our tips for effective team meetings and best-in-class virtual meetings:

• Choose the Right Platform: Select a virtual meeting platform with essential features like reliable audio/video, a user-friendly interface, collaboration tools, and mobile app support.
• Prepare Well: Prepare thoroughly to avoid technical glitches and encourage participant readiness.
• Set Ground Rules: As Priya Parker writes in “The Art of Gathering,” implement common rules like punctuality, active listening, minimizing distractions, and staying focused.
• Enhance Engagement: Utilize strategies to foster active participation and interaction, such as using AI websites, icebreaker questions, and small group discussions.
• Add Fun and Interactive Elements: Incorporate features like avatars, immersive views, and visual effects to make meetings more engaging and enjoyable.
• Maximize Productivity: Have a clear agenda, use AI Productivity Tools like a meeting note taker for efficiency, and create an interactive environment with music and small-group activities.
• Facilitate Well: Develop strong meeting facilitation skills to guide the meeting effectively and create meaningful connections among participants.

I hope that with these background and tips, your next Zoom meeting will be your best one yet!

Running a hybrid or remote team?

67% of companies in the US have now adopted a hybrid work or remote work model, according to August 2024 Flex Index data. If you're amongst them and in a human resources or executive role, you can do more than just run great Zoom meetings, although those are definitely a must.

According to the experts featured on our podcast, Future Work, managing remote teams is all about rethinking your operations. Practicing principles like:

1. Start with the New Fundamentals
2. Improve Collaboration
3. Boost Performance & Productivity
4. Learning and Development

It also means taking an even more critical look at your HR Software.

Especially remote teams require a different approach, which modern HRIS Software like Ripping, Deel, and Gusto support, while many others fall short.

For global employees, you'll also want to take a look into Employer of Record services, as the Employer of Record benefits are plenty, considering the payroll, benefits, and compliance challenges you otherwise may face.

Optimized or designed for hybrid and remote team, you should also look into the right recruiting software, employee management software, employee engagement survey providers and Performance Review Software.

Personalizing Your Zoom Background

If you’re looking to add a unique touch to your office background, consider how creativity can enhance the experience. As a designer, tools like ChatGPT can be invaluable for brainstorming unique concepts and generating fresh design ideas for backgrounds. Whether it’s selecting the right color palette or brainstorming creative elements, ChatGPT can save you time and help you bring your ideas to life.

For those interested in diving deeper into how AI can assist in the design process, check out my ChatGPT for Designers course, where you’ll learn to leverage AI to streamline your workflow and unleash your creativity.

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