31 Zoom Backgrounds + How to Change your Virtual Zoom Background

Bored with the same backdrop every meeting?  Or is your place a mess and you don't have time to tidy up before your next call? Try setting up a new Zoom background.

Whether you are working from the kitchen table of your small apartment, navigating work from home life with your roommates or partner, or you’re constantly on the move thanks to your flexible work from anywhere schedule, it can be a challenge to find a private place to have video conferencing calls or participate in online classes. Adding a Zoom background image is a good way to keep your meeting background distraction-free.

We've compiled a list of free Zoom background image options for you to choose from for your next Zoom meeting, online class, or virtual happy hour.

In this post:

• How to Change Your Zoom Background
• Professional Zoom Background Images
• Home Office Zoom Virtual Background Images
• Work From Anywhere Zoom Background Images
• Bold and Solid Virtual Background Images
• How to Create Your Own Background Image for Zoom

Here are the steps to change your background on Zoom.

Change Your Zoom Background on Desktop

1. Download the Zoom Desktop client on your Mac or Windows computer.

2. Open the app and log into your Zoom account.

3. Click the gear icon in the top right-hand corner to navigate to Settings.

4. In the left-hand menu, click Virtual Background.

5. Select one of Zoom's default background images or click the + icon to upload your own photo.

6. During a Zoom meeting, click the ^ arrow next to Stop Video and click Choose Virtual Background…to change or turn off your Zoom background.

This video provides an overview of the steps above and provides additional tips for making the most of your Zoom background.

Free Backgrounds for Zoom

Zoom offers a few default image options to choose from, but it also allows you to upload your own image. Here are some free virtual background images that you can try for your next Zoom meeting.

Professional Zoom Background Images

Zoom offers a few default image options to choose from, but it also allows you to upload your own image. Here are some free virtual images that you can try for your next Zoom meeting, to ensure you’re putting your most professional background-foot forward for your next meeting.

1. Professional Zoom Background With a View

For your next meeting, nothing conveys a more professional and accomplished message than a zoom virtual background that flexes an impressive view.

Source: Elite

2. An Enviable Bookshelf Zoom Background

To show off your well-read side, choose a professional Zoom background that showcases an impressive bookshelf.

Source: Elite

3. Accessible and Modern Zoom Background

To display a more accessible degree of professional success, choose an office background with more modern and casual elements.

Source: Elite

4. The Conference Room Zoom Background

For meetings that would have been executed on-site in a conference room, visually transport yourself back to the office with a modern conference room background.

Source: EliteDaily

5. Your Typical Workspace Zoom Background

To give a familiar feel to your next Zoom meeting, choose from our free backgrounds that reflect the realities of your typical office workspace.

Source: EliteDaily

6. The Modern Bookshelf Zoom Background

For a more modern take on the bookshelf background, choose a colorful and aesthetically pleasing visual that emphasizes your love for literature.

Source: Curbed

7. Library Zoom Background

For your next virtual meeting, take advantage of the opportunity to seemingly be joining the meeting from anywhere by choosing a background that transports you to a professional location such as this regal wing of a Los Angeles Public Library.

Source: TechRepublic

8. Private Jet Zoom Background

If you find yourself missing the amenities of business travel, for your next meeting choose one of our free backgrounds that reflect your jet-setter lifestyle.

Source: ViewFinder

Home Office Zoom Virtual Background Images

It’s no secret that in the Work From Anywhere #WFA age many of us are working from home. Whether that means that you have a pristine home office to work from or often set up shop at the kitchen table, with these free home office backgrounds your colleagues will be none the wiser about the messiness level of your home work space.

9. A Splash of Color Zoom Background

To draw eyes during your next Zoom meeting, choose a home office background with a bright splash of color to liven up your screen.

Source: Curbed

10. A Cozy Home Zoom Background

To convey the message of absolute comfort, set your Zoom background to the image of a comfortable living space.

Source: TechRepublic

11. An Elegant Home Office Zoom Background

No matter what your home office looks like IRL, with an elegant home office Zoom background you will give your coworkers couch-envy all meeting long.

Source: TechRepublic

12. A Chic Home Setup Zoom Background

For a more relaxed Zoom meeting, set your background to your dream home setup. Those chic lounge chairs are a great conversation starter if you need a quick ice breaker.

Source: Unsplash

13. Outdoor Office Zoom Background

Nothing screams “ultimate dream home office” like a fireplace on a patio. To whisk yourself and your coworkers away to a more temperate atmosphere, choose an outdoor home office Zoom background.

Source: Curbed

14. A Home Office Background

The only view better than the one provided by this free Zoom background is the view of all of your coworker’s smiling faces!

Source: Curbed

15. Realistic Zoom Office Background

To show your fellow meeting attendees a glimpse into what it is really like when you work out of your home office, choose a realistic home office Zoom background like this one.

Source: The Container Store

Work From Anywhere Zoom Background Images

As a member of the remote workforce, you have the ability to work from anywhere. Even when you are working out of your home office, a flexible workspace, or your neighborhood coffee shop you have the opportunity to exercise your creativity and choose a Zoom background that fits your #WFA state of mind.

16. Moon Landing Zoom Background

Have you been feeling out of this world lately? Choose a Zoom background that matches your mindset, like putting yourself on the moon.

Source: Teleport

17. Alma Mater Pride Zoom Background

Perfect for a virtual class reunion or happy hour with old friends, a Zoom background that flaunts your school pride is perfect for a celebratory virtual meeting.

Source: TechRepublic

18. Parks and Rec Zoom Background

To bring some of your personal taste to your next video conferencing session, set your Zoom background as the desk or home of your favorite TV character. Leslie Knope’s desk from Parks and Recreation is the perfect mix of formal and fictional. 

Source: TechRepublic

19. Vacation Zoom Background

A Napa Valley state of mind may not be the most productive mindset for a work meeting, but this Napa Valley free Zoom screen is the perfect backdrop for your next virtual wine night.

Source: Visit Napa Valley

20. Flexible Workspace Zoom Background

One of the most common choices remote workers make is to utilize their local flexible workspace. To match your Zoom background to your surroundings, choose a virtual background that reflects your love for these shared spaces.

Source: PopSugar

21. Game of Thrones Zoom Background

Just now catching up on the last season of Game of Thrones? To match your Zoom background to your current pop culture obsession, join your next meeting from the Iron Throne to draw eyes and command respect.

Source: PopSugar

22. Background for Zooming on the Go

One perk of the Work From Anywhere lifestyle is the ability to constantly be on the move. To reflect your highly-flexible work routine, choose a Zoom background that showcases your love of travel.

Source: ViewFinder

23. Bali Zoom Background

If your annual vacation was postponed this year, take advantage of free Zoom backgrounds to get the gorgeous views that you’re missing without leaving your virtual meeting. The more scenic your Zoom background is, the closer you will get to your dream vacation.

Source: ViewFinder

Bold and Solid Zoom Virtual Background Images

For a large Zoom meeting, a background image that is too busy or detailed runs the risk of being distracting to the other meeting attendees. When you want to stand out without attracting too much attention, a solid image background that is more than a blank black or white box hits the sweet spot.

24. The Fine Art Zoom Background

The Open Content Program from the J. Paul Getty Museum and the Getty Research Institute is where you'll find over 100,000 free, downloadable images of works of art. 

Source: The Getty

25. Lush Greenery Zoom Background

For a calming, natural Zoom background choose an image that is overflowing with lush flora.

Source: TechRepublic

26. Classic Brick Zoom Background

For a sturdy, familiar Zoom background that conveys composure choose a classic brick wall.

Source: TechRepublic

27. Outer Space Zoom Background

To take your next Zoom meeting to the next level— and by next level, I mean next galaxy— set your background to a shot of the cosmos.

Source: Pixabay

28. Autumn Drive Zoom Background

To have the environment of your next Zoom meeting match the environment outside your window, set your virtual background to a crisp fall woodland scene.

Source: Pixabay

29. Peaceful Nature Zoom Background

To add a layer of peace to your next virtual meeting, set your Zoom background to an image of a vibrant forest under a calming layer of fog.

Source: Pixabay

30. Northern Lights Zoom Background

To transport you and your colleagues far, far away choose a free Zoom background image of one of the wonders of the world— like the Northern Lights—  to spark creativity.

Source: Pixabay

31. Desert Dunes Zoom Background

The ultimate sign of progress and strength, set your Zoom background to an artful image of sand dunes to inspire your team to always be moving forward.

Source: Pixabay

How to Create Your Own Background Image for Zoom

If you want to get creative, try designing your own Zoom background image. Use a photo you've taken or check out free stock photo sites like Unsplash, Pexels, and Pixabay to find a fun Zoom background image.

Zoom Background Image Dimensions

Whether you want to change your background to a photo of your pet or favorite vacation destination, you'll need to crop your image so it fits Zoom's background image dimensions. Your image will need to have an aspect ratio of 16:9. Cropping your image to 1280 x 720 pixels or 1920 x 1080 pixels should work well.

You can also use a template, like the templates offered by Canva, to design a Zoom background image of your own. 

We hope you enjoy these Zoom background options! Share a snapshot of your Zoom background with us @OwlLabs – we'd love to see which images you select for your next meeting.

Looking for more? Read everything you need to know about Zoom next.