Do you work remote from home? Is a decent chunk of your day spent on Zoom, Microsoft Teams or Google Meet video calls? If so, you’ve likely already put some thought into how your background looks as you sit in your virtual meetings.
While a real, well-designed home office background often looks the most natural and most professional, virtual backgrounds can be an ideal solution under the right circumstances. This is especially true for those working in a shared or multi-functional space, kitchen or dining room, bedroom, or any other area you can’t easily control.
The real key is knowing how to use them well. Below are 7 straightforward tips to help your virtual background look cleaner, more professional, and less distracting. Let’s get started.
Step 1: Decide Whether You Need a Green Screen
Keep in mind that most video platforms (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet) allow virtual backgrounds with or without a green screen. However, results can vary significantly depending on a number of factors.
- No Green Screen: Works best when your lighting is even and the background behind you is very simple.
- With Green Screen: Provides cleaner edges, less potential for glitches, and a much more polished look.
If you’re on frequent video calls and a real (i.e. non-virtual) background isn’t an option for your home office for whatever reason, a basic green screen is generally recommended.
Step 2: Green Screen Basics (Color, Material & Paint Tips)
If you decide to use a proper green screen, keep it simple. There are a couple different approaches you can take to get the desired results:
Option 1: Painted Wall Green Screen
The painted wall green screen option may require more effort on the front end, but it is a permanent solution to your green screen needs that requires minimum upkeep. For this approach:
- Use flat or matte paint (not satin or semi-gloss)
- For best results, choose a true chroma green shade designed for film or photography
- Be sure to make sure lighting is even across the wall (more on this below)
Option 2: Fabric Green Screen
If you’d like to avoid cracking open a paint can and breaking out the protective drop cloths, a fabric green screen may be a better option for you. There are a few different fabric green screen choices available, including:
- Simple fabric green screen backdrops attached to the wall
- Collapsible, pop-up green screens (portable and easy to use)
- Retractable green screens (think pull-down window shades or projector screens that pull down from the ceiling)
Depending on your choice, the fabric green screen route can be either cheaper or more expensive than the painted wall option. However, the fact that many fabric green screens can be packed up and moved makes it especially appealing to some users. Similarly to painted green screens, it’s recommended to:
- Choose flat, muted fabrics without patterns and minimal shine
- Use a solid, true chroma shade of green meant for photo and video applications
- For consistent performance, make sure lighting is even and backdrop has no wrinkles
Step 3: Lighting Is Non-Negotiable
As we covered in our previous article on designing video call backgrounds, having the proper lighting is critical. In fact, lighting matters even more when you’re dealing with virtual backgrounds. Here are your do’s and don’t’s.
Do:
- Light your face evenly from the front
- Use soft light sources (lamps, diffused LEDs)
- Keep lighting consistent across your green screen
Don’t:
- Use strong backlighting
- Sit too close to the green screen
- Allow any sort of shadows on the wall or green screen fabric
Uneven lighting is often the primary reason a virtual background looks choppy, glitchy or distorted.
Step 4: What to Wear (Yes, It Matters)
Ever seen an old weather broadcast where the meteorologist is see-through or appears to be missing their arms, legs or torso? That will be you too if you’re not mindful of what you wear. Remember, your clothing choice can affect how well the software is able to separate you from the green screen background.
Avoid:
- Busy patterns
- Highly reflective fabrics
- Green or blue clothing (you may disappear)
Better Choices:
- Solid colors (that aren’t blue or green)
- Medium contrast with your background
- Simple, professional silhouettes
Step 5: Choose the Right Virtual Background Image
Not all images work well as virtual backgrounds. Here’s what you should look for and what you should avoid.
Look for background images that are:
- Simple and uncluttered
- Neutral in tone and color
- Lightly blurred or softly focused
Avoid:
- Images with heavy contrast
- Extremely bright or dark images
- Busy office scenes that look unrealistic
A subtle home office, bookshelf, or softly blurred room usually looks much more natural than a dramatic skyline or novelty image.
Step 6: Where to Find Good Virtual Background Images
You don’t need to design your own images from scratch. Looking for where to find a virtual background image that works (that you don’t have to pay for)? Options are out there.
Good sources include:
- Free stock photo sites (search “home office background”)
- Video platform background libraries
- Brand-neutral office or interior images
Can’t find something you like? Don’t be afraid to let your preferred generative AI give you it’s best shot.
When in doubt, choose something understated. Remember that your face — not the background — should be the focus.
Step 7: Always Do a Test Run First
One final step. Before you take your first conference call or virtual meeting with your brand new setup:
- Turn on your camera
- Move naturally (hands, arms, head, shoulders)
- Watch for flickering, cut-outs, or disappearing edges
Small adjustments to lighting, distance, wrinkles, or clothing should fix most issues.
Remember, Virtual Backgrounds Are a Tool — Use Them Intentionally
Virtual backgrounds aren’t “cheating,” and they aren’t unprofessional by default. They’re simply one more tool for managing your work environment and your personal image.
When set up thoughtfully, virtual backgrounds can help you:
- Maintain privacy
- Reduce distractions
- Show up confidently on camera
Interested in alternatives to using virtual backgrounds? Don’t miss our helpful resource on creating a polished, real-world video call background. Also if you’re looking for more specific guidance on setting up a functional home office, don’t miss our step-by-step guide.
Got more questions about creating the perfect home office? We’d love to help. Reach out to us on our convenient and easy live webchat, give us a call, or come see us at any of our Metro Atlanta and North Georgia furniture stores. See you there!
