Free Professional Zoom Backgrounds

It’s 2022 and most of us who work in online jobs or remotely are well-versed with all the features of Zoom by now. But not everybody has a neat and tidy home or office behind them to serve as a backdrop for these video calls. Professional backgrounds for Zoom can help.

In fact, having a less-than-ideal space behind you can actually cause a lot of stress. And worrying about how your home looks shouldn’t be top of mind when you’re trying to successfully complete your work.

But that’s where cool Zoom backgrounds play such an important role. We’ve compiled a list of 12 different free Zoom backgrounds that can create a positive impression — or at the very least get your coworkers talking. If you’re looking for a more refined option, you can also consider a high-quality premium professional Zoom background.

12 Free Professional Zoom Backgrounds to Liven Up Your Video Calls

We’ve scoured the web for some of the best professional Zoom backgrounds around. Many of these will do well as a substitute office backdrop. Others are a bit more off-the-wall and designed to spark conversation or lighten the mood. Here’s the list:

1. Autumn Vegetables

Celebrate the harvest season with a festive autumn vegetables Zoom background. Featuring an array of gourds and corn, this background will block out your living space entirely but provide a lively backdrop.

2. Empty Set From Doctor Who

If you’re a fan of science fiction, this cool Zoom background that showcases an empty set from Doctor Who is a sure winner. You can tell your team you’re calling them from the TARDIS today, even.

3. ISA Study Abroad New Zealand Virtual Background

Make it look as though you’re calling directly from The Shire in Hobbiton with these Zoom backgrounds.

4. Bright and Clean Room With Plants Background

Here’s another Zoom professional background for free that offers a clean and minimal backdrop for your work meetings. This photo features a wide-open space, natural lighting, and a lot of greenery.

5. Office Bookcase and Clock at Dusk Background

This professional background features an open bookcase and a clock on the wall, providing a warm and sophisticated office vibe.

6. Minimal Yet Colorful Living Room Zoom Background

Make it appear as though you’re working from a minimally-designed living room with tasteful pops of color behind you.

7. Plant-Filled Interior Background Zoom Image

This professional backdrop showcases a wall with artwork as well as a low dresser or table covered with plants, enhancing your video call experience.

8. Bedroom Corner Office Zoom Background

Create the illusion of working from a stylish bedroom with a secondary office just behind you.

9. Finding Nemo Zoom Background

If your workplace is a bit more relaxed, you can always make it look like you’re calling in from under the sea with this still from the Pixar film, Finding Nemo.

10. Inside Out Zoom Background

You can also set the scene to look like you’re holding your next meeting from within Riley’s head from the film, Inside Out.

11. Chef’s Home Library Wall Zoom Background

This beautiful image comes from a profile of Chef Renee Erickson’s home in Seattle, WA. It definitely makes for an interesting backdrop that will leave your colleagues wondering if that’s really your house or not.

12. Andromeda Galaxy Zoom Background

If you really want to mix things up, use this background image of the Andromeda Galaxy instead of a traditional office background. At the very least, it’ll get your coworkers talking.

How to Put a Background on Zoom

Once you’ve selected the Zoom background you want to use, you can add it to Zoom with relevant ease. First, you’ll need to turn on the Virtual Background feature in Zoom, then you can actually add and select the background you want to use. Let’s get started:

How to Turn on the Virtual Background Feature in Zoom

To turn on this feature, you just need to complete a simple process:

1. Log Into Zoom

You need to be an administrator for the account with permission to edit account settings to make these changes. Then navigate to Account Management > Account Settings. Click the Meeting tab.

2. Verify Virtual Background Is Enabled

While viewing the Meeting tab, go to Virtual Background, which is located under the In Meeting (Advanced) section. Verify that this setting is turned on and enabled. If it’s not, click to enable it.

In some cases, a verification dialog box will pop up. If this occurs, click Turn On to confirm this is a change you wish to make.

3. Configure Optional Virtual Background Settings

There are a few miscellaneous options you can choose from on this screen as well. For instance, you can:

• Opt to make virtual backgrounds the default for all users assigned to your Zoom account.
• Permit the use of video backgrounds.
• Allow users assigned to your account to upload custom backgrounds.
• Upload custom default background images for all users to choose from.
• Make it so your account users always have to use a virtual background.
• Opt to have virtual backgrounds reset after every meeting.

Once you’re done configuring the settings, you can move on to actually adding a custom Zoom background.

How to Add a Custom Background to Zoom

This is a super straightforward process. Assuming you’re still signed into Zoom, you’ll need to click on your Profile picture and then the gear symbol to access your account’s Settings.

Then:

1. Click Backgrounds & Filters.
2. Set up a green screen in your physical space. It doesn’t have to be literally green, but a solid color behind you is what works best to make the virtual background work correctly. Click on the area of your video screen that you want to set as the color for your green screen.
3. Click the + sign to select and upload a custom background image or video.
4. Confirm your selection and enjoy it as it fills the space behind you in your next Zoom session.