Home Office Ideas for Video Conferencing

The importance of the home office has seemingly never been as crucial as it is today. Desks in the corner of a bustling living room and web-based meetings are now considered the “norm.” Whether you have a separate home office room in your home or your desk shares some space with another room in the home, there are ways to make your home office backdrop for video calls chic, beautiful, and professional. No matter your style, you can get the look you want for your zoom room design with a few quick and easy updates to your space.

We’re sharing a few of our favorite video conference background ideas so that you can impress all of your colleagues with your home’s gorgeous interior design. These tips and tricks will have you on your way to the perfect video conference background in no time!

Add an Accent Wall

The perfect way to make your home office backdrop look beautiful could be as easy as a unique accent wall. Wallpaper, board and batten, tile, and beadboard are all simple ways that you can achieve an accent wall that is stylish and professional for any occasion. An accent wall is also long-lasting, so you’ll appreciate the beauty of it whether you keep this space as your home office, or you change it into a bedroom down the road.

Design: REBECCA HAY  Photography: MIKE CHAJECKI

How to: Place your desk in front of a wall and face your chair away from the wall. Angle your computer so that when your camera is turned on, the wall behind you shines. If your room is not well-lit, consider adding a floor lamp on one side of the space to give you additional feature lighting. Otherwise, ensure that the lighting is right by investing in curtains that soften natural light coming through the windows.

Choose Some Accent Furniture

Accent furniture is fun and has a way of brightening up any room. It draws your eye and acts almost like a piece of art in the room. Why not make it a focal point of your space and also show it off as a background on your next work from home conference call?

Design: Hibou Design & Co  Photography: DREW HADLEY 

How to: If you already have some accent furniture that stands out, whether it’s a bright color or an elegant antique, situate it behind your office desk and chair so that you can show it off. If you don’t have a piece of furniture that you’d like to use, go on the hunt! Search for bright, beautiful furniture pieces or furniture that has unique detailing like carving or patterns. Make sure it’s large enough to see behind your desk and that it can be seen from your work camera. You’ll probably need a dresser, chest, or something similar as these pieces are larger and show off more décor. Once you’ve got the accent furniture behind your desk, add décor! Think books, metal décor pieces, candles, and other things you might need to grab quickly while working.

Use a Window and an Indoor Plant

A window provides ample natural light into an office space, and it can be easily used as a background in any video conference call. This idea is a simple way to make little to no changes to your space, but still give you the zoom background you’re looking for. The addition of an indoor plant near a window is also the perfect way to capture all the beauty of nature – light and greenery!

Design: REBECCA HAY  Photography: MIKE CHAJECKI

How to: Using the window in your room, center your office desk in front of it. Be sure to invest in curtains, as light that shines in heavily will cause your background to be too bright. Choose an indoor plant like a fiddle leaf fig, a rubber plant, bird of paradise, or other green plant that is tall and beautiful and place it in an indoor plant pot. Depending on the plant’s light and water needs, you may want to place it to the left or right of the window, or directly in front. Ensure that you can see the greenery from your computer camera, and you’re good to go!

Hang a Beautiful Area Rug Behind Your Desk

If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to make your video conference background one that feels pretty, professional, and on-trend, hanging an area rug is an excellent choice. Not only will the area rug be easy to hang, but it is a piece of décor that is easily changeable as seasons and trends evolve. You could even have a different area rug for every season! Check out these beautiful area rugs by Nourison to get inspired.

Rug Shown Above: ANKARA GLOBAL; ANR02; RED 

Rug Shown Above: BAHARI; BAH02; RUST 

Rug Shown Above: CELESTIAL; CES09; BLUE/YELLOW

How to: Browse area rugs and choose an area rug that catches your eye. Measure your wall size and determine how far away your computer camera is from the wall. This will help you decide on the perfect size rug for your space. Once you have the rug, hang the rug behind your office chair, ensuring that it can be seen from where your camera is placed. Keep in mind, it doesn’t need to go all the way to the floor, especially if you’re typically using a standing desk, rather than a seated space.

Zoom conference calls are now the norm and creating a home office backdrop that stands out will make your call look beautiful and professional! Plus, you’ll love how easy it is to spruce up your space with one of these quick and easy video conferencing ideas. Want to see more? If you are interested in seeing interior design tips and tricks, check out our Beautiful Design Made Simple™ blog. We offer design advice and dive into other topics like timeless floors, blue kitchen ideas, and more!