Creating The Perfect Zoom Zone

These days, where you sit has become just as important as what you say.

It was a scene that had become all too familiar since March 2020: the meeting was over Zoom, the participants jigsawed onto the screen in small tiles that resembled “The Brady Bunch” opener. I was finding it hard to concentrate until one colleague began to speak. Suddenly I was riveted to the screen. What he was saying was interesting, sure, but it was his background that had me taking notice. Attired in a classic blue button down shirt, he popped again a monochromatic tan and brown background that showcased an oil painting over the perfectly worn leather Chesterfield couch he was sitting on. Positioned just to the right of center, the setting put the focus on him and his thoughts. 

With Zoom meetings dominating our lives, where you sit has now become just as important as what you say. While there are plenty of faux Zoom backdrops that can put everything from art to nature behind you, they can look forced and fuzzy. Instead, consider creating an actual space in your home or office from which to host your chats.

I talked to that friend, interior designer Demitri Sagourakis of DCID, to ask him his secret. Sagourakis, who’s worked with Cher and Pat Sajak, among others, suggests defaulting to a monochrome look. “You don’t want what’s behind you to compete with what you’re saying,” he counsels. While bookcases have become a popular setting, they need sprucing up to ensure they’re camera-ready. “The challenge with books is that the listener can get distracted by the book titles and how they relate to what you’re saying,” he says. Break up a solid line of books with objects or art, grouping items by color in groups of odd numbers, or try stacking some of the books vertically. Painting the back of a bookshelves a vivid color — try a bold turquoise or a deep red — is another trick that keeps the focus on you rather than what’s behind you.

Amy Sklar is another interior designer who’s nailed the secret to an arresting virtual backdrop. “The key is to keep it simple,” she says, “Digital meetings are hard enough. I really believe less is more. I don’t mean barren. Just make sure it is curated.” Too much visual stimulation can distract from what you’re saying. Sklar’s ideal is a solid color wall with a single piece of art. In lieu of that, she suggests a simple flower arrangement or a striking plant. “Make sure you’re lit from the front and that the camera lined up with your eyes,” she says, “And stay away from having a mirror, window or highly reflective surface behind you.”

House of Honey’s Tamara Kaye-Honey likes a comfy chair with a side table. “A perfect work from home space is a place to focus, plug in and connect,” she says. Before you turn on the video camera, flip on your smart phone’s self-portrait mode to check out what can be seen over your shoulders. At the very least, make the bed and clear away the clutter (and the sex toys!) We’ve seen what can happen — good and bad — when people forget that their lives are being recorded. Take a deep breath and take a good look around before flipping on the camera. And please, don’t forget your pants!