Fun Backgrounds For Your Next Zoom Call

What week are we on in this whole lockdown thing? 🙂 Most states are gradually opening back up, but things are far from back to normal. And maybe they won’t ever be. But Zoom and platforms like it are helping.

Those of us that can work from home are probably still doing so. In fact, I think many businesses are taking a look at how they will operate in the future. Maybe they don’t need as much office space as they thought. And some people are finding that they like working from home.

According to some estimates, as many as 56% of the workforce in the U.S. hold jobs that are at least partially compatible with working from home. There are some predictions that 25-30% of workers could be permanently working from home by 2021.

77% of workers currently working from home have indicated they are interested in continuing to do so after the pandemic has passed. Several companies, including Twitter and Square, have told their employees they can continue to work from home forever. Shopify is allowing work from home at least until 2021, and perhaps permanently beyond that.

I have worked from home for several years and love it. I don’t have small children anymore so it isn’t nearly as hard for me as those trying to juggle work with parenthood, and the homeschooling that parents have had to do to finish this school year.

It does take structure and discipline, as the lines between work and home life can easily blur. You just have to figure out what works best for you. I don’t think there is any one “right” way to do it.

As businesses try to figure out how to move forward, platforms like Zoom, Go To Webinar, and Microsoft Teams have made it possible for us to have meetings and even Happy Hours! 🙂

If you’ve been using these types of platforms as well, you might want to switch things up a little by now. Zoom and others have gotten in on the fun by allowing us to choose our backgrounds. Don’t show up to your next meeting sitting on your unmade bed or in your kitchen.

It’s time to get creative!

The Bravo network thought it would be fun to make backgrounds from some of their popular shows available. You can choose from:

Below Deck:

 

Quite a few from The Real Housewives of New York City:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maybe Vanderpump Rules is more your style. These would be good for those Happy Hours. 🙂

 

Or maybe you’re fond of the Bravo Clubhouse:

 

If you like these, they are easy to install. Just go to Bravo’s website first. To download, just right click on your favorite background and save them to your desktop. Then, go to Zoom and click the gear settings symbol in the upper right corner of your screen. Next, click on “Virtual Background” on the bar to your left. Finally, press the plus sign to upload your new background. It’s as easy as that!

Another company joining the Zoom party is Ikea. They have divided their backgrounds by category. First up, Office Space.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maybe you feel like having a virtual party with your friends. Ikea has delivered there too with a Celebrations category. Check these out:

 

 

 

 

 

How about some outside scenes? These are so yummy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And if you do want to participate in calls from your bedroom, at least make yourself look super stylish. 🙂 Ikea has some backgrounds for that, too.

These backgrounds from Ikea are compatible with Zoom, Microsoft Teams PC, and Microsoft Teams Mac.

• You just go to Ikea’s backgrounds page, and download the backgrounds.
• Then open up Zoom and go to Settings.
• In the section “Virtual Background”, click the + icon and select your favorite background from your downloads. (Don’t forget to uncheck “Mirror my video” or you’ll view everything the wrong way around.)

So as you can see, you don’t have to come to your Zoom meetings lacking style. 🙂 You have so many choices to look your best with these fun backgrounds. Of course, you should choose wisely, and know your audience.

You don’t want to conduct a job interview with a bedroom background. No. 🙂 Or show up to a business meeting with a background more appropriate for a Happy Hour. But that’s what so great about all of these choices. They give you lots of options.

And finally, if Taco Bell is more your style, check out their background downloads. They’re fun!

So get busy and up your Zoom call game!

If you know of some more fun backgrounds, feel free to share in the comment section.

And I’d love for you to follow me on Pinterest!