It's probably not a surprise, but we will all become virtual in an unpredictable future. Birthday parties, game nights, happy hours, business meetings, and anything else that could usually fill your calendar takes place via Zoom, FaceTime, or other popular video conferencing apps. The zoom - yes, it's a verb - allows you to stay connected with your loved ones and colleagues from near and far while practicing social distancing.
There is, however, additional pressure: if you want to show your face to the camera, you also let people into your environment, like your bare walls, your makeshift office spa, etc. Since the idea of cooling your home in a time like this seems, well, impossible with everything you juggle, we've put together the best Zoom backgrounds that will cool your space - no tools, no money, or shopping obligatory.
Golden Girls
Depending on whether you're chatting for work or playing, you can choose from traditional virtual backgrounds to mimic a West Elm showroom, or enter your favorite movies and TV shows with backgrounds inspired by Golden girls, Hallmark Channel, and Disney movies.
Just in case it's your first time, here's how to set a virtual background on Zoom:
- Download the background of your choice. Better yet, download a few options, in case you want to turn them off.
- After connecting to a Zoom call, look for an icon that says "Stop video" in the lower-left corner of the window. Click on the arrow to the right of it, then select "Choose a virtual background".
- Download as many backgrounds as you want and change them whenever you want.
Here's the fun part: browse these free Zoom backgrounds and download your favorites. Then plan your next virtual happy hour to show them off.
Hallmark Canal
Because you always wanted to live in a Hallmark movie. Enter Hope Valley ( When the heart calls you), Chesapeake Shoresor Middleton ( The good witch). Or if you can't pick a favorite, go for one of their seasonal virtual backgrounds, with Hallmark staples like gazebos, twinkling lights, and freshly picked flowers.
Download more Hallmark Channel Zoom backgrounds here
Western elm
Always wanted to decorate your space with West Elm furniture, rugs and decorative accents - now is your chance. Best of all, it's completely free.
Download more West Elm Zoom backgrounds here
Disney Parks
Sure, Disney World and Disneyland are closed at the moment, but that doesn't mean you can't celebrate their magic at home. Travel the world at all Disney theme parks with these beautiful virtual backgrounds.
Airbnb Homes
Satisfy your desire to travel without even packing your bags: choose the destination of your dreams, then download a virtual background that will take you there.
Download more Airbnb Zoom backgrounds here
Star Wars
Take a trip to your favorite cinematic universe with these virtual backgrounds. You can even pretend to sit in The Millennium Falcon or Snoke's Star Destroyer, which is a big win for any superfan.
Download more Star Wars Zoom backgrounds here
Popular TV shows
Enter the most suitable Zoom backgrounds for your 9 to 5.
Download more The Office Zoom backgrounds hereYou may not have been in the office to recap Schitt's Creek final of the series, but these antecedents will not prevent you from reliving the good old days with the Rose family.
Download more Schitt's Creek Zoom backgrounds here
Bloomscape
