When I started working remotely, I quickly found that I didn’t like the available backdrops in my house.
First, there is the crowded living room. Then there is the rarely flawless kitchen. Or I could go with the yellow wall.
It was then that I started looking into zoom backgrounds.
I found some fun, some professional, and even some creative options. Really fun expressing myself with a zoom background.
If you are in the same situation, look no further.
Here’s how to set up a zoom background. Then we will show you our favorites.
How to set a zoom background
- Open the zoom
- Go to Zoom Settings
- Click on Virtual Background
- Click the plus sign, then click Add Picture
1. Open Zoom
Before we dive into our favorite zoom backgrounds, let’s learn how to set one up. First, open your Zoom app and log in.
2. Go to Zoom Settings
Once you are logged in, click on “zoom.us” in the upper left corner and then click on “Settings”. You can also access this page by clicking on your profile picture in the upper right corner and then on “Settings”.
3. Click on “Virtual Background”.
When you have opened your settings, click on “Virtual Background” on the left.
4. Click the plus sign, then click Add Picture.
Now click on the plus sign on the right and then on “Add picture”. Voila. Now you can add any image that you have the rights to and that complies with image guidelines.
Tips for determining when to use a zoom background
When should you use a zoom background?
Well, some days you might wake up and your living room is a mess, or the dishes weren’t washed, or your roommates are walking around.
In fact, I had to have meetings in the bathroom because it was the only empty room in my house and I had an important meeting.
Whether it’s a noise-related problem or you want to limit background distractions, zoom backgrounds are helpful here.
Plus, these backgrounds can be a great way to break the ice. They can often be used as a conversation starter. Many people on my team were actually surprised to learn that my house didn’t look like the zoom background I always use (see screenshots above).
However, it is important to remember the tone of the meeting when choosing a background.
If there’s a professional meeting, chances are it isn’t time to break out a Taylor Swift concert background (which I have and use for informal meetings).
Also, your zoom backgrounds shouldn’t be distracting. Indeed, sometimes the whole point of the background is to reduce distractions.
So avoid super bright or complex images. Also, make sure you have the rights to use the downloaded images. Your images shouldn’t require licensing or association.
Bugfix for incorrect backgrounds
That’s probably no surprise, but sometimes the technology doesn’t work as planned. If your background is buggy, try some of these quick options to fix the problem.
- Sign out and sign in again
- Make sure virtual backgrounds are turned on
- Make sure your background meets the picture requirements
- Update your Zoom app
Our favorite zoom wallpapers
Now for the fun part. Choosing zoom backgrounds is one of my favorite things to do. Below are some of our top deals at HubSpot.
Zoom backgrounds for casual meetings
1. Holiday mood
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2. Cute animals
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3. Nature
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4th concert
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Zoom backgrounds for formal meetings
5. Library
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6th house
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7. Minimalist architecture
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8. Splashes of color
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Original zoom backgrounds from HubSpot
9. Colorful background
10. Bubbles
Zoom backgrounds can be a great way to limit distractions and start a conversation. Remember to think about the tone of the meeting when choosing your background images.