Ever find yourself rushing to move the dirty dishes, unwashed laundry or baby pictures out of sight before your next video meeting? Now that working from home has become a more permanent situation than many of us were expecting, it’s time to make sure that the background of your work space says what it should about you.
Here are some of our favourite home office backgrounds, for video calls on Zoom, Microsoft Teams, WebEx and more.
The home office bookshelf background
Fully stocked bookshelves have become very popular among TV presenters and their guests, who want to look well-read when broadcasting from home. This bookish trend has been picked up by remote workers, too. An expert carpenter can build a bespoke bookshelf to transform even the smallest of spaces and hold your personal library nicely.
Want the scholarly look but don’t have the inventory of books to fill a whole bookshelf? How about a playful twist with library wallpaper or a wall mural with a bookcase design?
The cool home office background
Over the years we’ve seen celebrities and homeowners alike strip their wallpaper to get the rustic look of an exposed brick feature wall. It can add some character to your working space too, without making your home look too office-like.
Not all homes have the option of an exposed brick wall though. Luckily, you can recreate the brick effect with wallpaper and wall murals. Peel and stick wallpaper is an interesting option if you’re renting or don’t want to make any permanent changes.
Get the rough and ready look with the help of a painter and decorator.
The cosy home office background
Use neutral colours and warm lighting to transform your working environment into a calming, stress-free zone. By accessorising with decorative pieces such as figurines, vases and plants, you’ll help integrate your workspace into your existing home décor.
Take a look at some more of our favourite tricks for designing your home office.
The professional home office background
The clean aesthetic is a fool proof option for a professional background. Suggesting cleanliness and freshness, white is a safe colour to choose for your background. Plus, it’s easy to revamp a blank white slate with brighter accessories for a pop of colour.
A fresh coat of white paint could also help you out when it comes to selling your home. In the Rated People Home Improvement Trends Report: 2020, we found that white is the UK’s favourite colour for each room. So, you won’t have to repaint to attract potential buyers.
Bring your space to life by asking a painter and decorator to give it a lick of paint.
The simple home office background
Don’t have a spare room? Whether you’re working from your bedroom, living room or even the hallway, you can use simple décor to make your background look professional without taking up too much space. Your local handyman can put up floating shelves which you can then style with decorative file boxes, art prints and other knick knacks.
The beautiful home office background
For the more adventurous of you out there, a bright wall makes for the perfect virtual background. Following the Rated People Home Improvement Trends Report: 2020, we analysed Instagram hashtags to discover which colours are currently trending for each room in the house. Pink turned out to be the most Instagrammable colour, from dusky rose hues to bright salmon-pinks.
The modern home office background
Go for a unique virtual background and show your colleagues a bit of personality. It’s easy to create your own mural! You can apply tape and paint to design a geometric wall. Or, try using stencils and stickers to create your own wall art. It’s a great lockdown DIY job to use up those half empty pots of paint that you’ve been meaning to get rid of.
Ready to revamp your workspace with your very own video call background? Find a local tradesperson by posting your job.
