18 fresh Zoom background ideas

Want to disguise your messy home office, spice up a boring meeting or take your mind off the uncertainty of real life? Consider using one of these Zoom backgrounds.

Instantly recognizable. It's the talking head background from The Office is an classic. You can't go wrong with this one, especially when you're in a meeting that really makes you want to make bewildered faces at the film crew. 

The "this is fine" meme is a perfect metaphor for our times. The house is on fire while the dog sips his tea. It conveys so many of the emotions we're all feeling right now. No more do you have to answer the "so, how are you holding up?" question -- this background says it all. 

Enjoy a beautiful sunset, minus the annoying glare on your screen. This pixelated picture of perfection instantly takes you on voyage of tranquility. Deep breath in, deep breath out. 

Enjoy the burger of the day at Bob's Burgers. Using this background gives you a free pass to act like a total Linda, complete with theme tunes for every occasion. But don't quote me on that. 

Take a ride on Star Trek: The Next Generation's Enterprise. It's beige, it's streamlined, it's very '90s. 

We love a good meme! Be the distracted boyfriend or the other woman. The laughs are endless. Well, maybe you'll get two laughs out of it. 

Step aboard the Millennium Falcon. Not included: Han Solo or Chewy. It's just you, sorry. 

It's never a bad time to break out the tinfoil hat and remind folks that the truth is out there with an X-Files-themed background. 

Live out your stand-up or talk show dreams with the iconic set from The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Are you gonna do a tight five? Break out into a lip-sync battle? Who knows, you're a wild card.

You may not have any musical talent, but that's not going to stop you joining Queen, even if it's just for your team check-in meeting. Added bonus: Make your coworkers uneasy with the band's spooky floating heads.

This one's for you, classic horror fans. Just try not to think too hard about what's in the bath. 

If you want something that seems lovely and wholesome on the surface but has a creepy undercurrent, this Midsommar background is just for you. Just don't accept any strange drinks while you're using it.

Use this Drag Race background to let your boss know you're ready to werk, kitty girl. Best used with the Shade Button.

Zoom into meetings from the place you'd rather be: In bed, playing Animal Crossing: New Horizons. 

Let the whole call know you're a fan of the Bon Apetit Test Kitchen with this background- if they haven't already guessed by your single silver streak in your hair. 

Pretend you're allowed in cafes and around strangers with this Central Perk background from Friends! Make the experience complete by yelling "WE WERE ON A BREAK" at least once per Zoom call. 

This is the Bad Place. Lighten the mood with some positive mantras, like this one from The Good Place. 

If you can't visit one of Australia's greatest natural wonders right now, visit it over the internet with this background from Pixar's classic Finding Nemo.