How to Style Your Zoom Background in AU & NZ: A Desk Guide
Turn your camera on these days and you reveal not just your face but your desk — that strip of bookshelf, wall and clutter that sits behind you for the whole meeting. In homes across Australia and New Zealand, where remote work is now the norm, a composed background has quietly become part of how we present ourselves professionally.
You do not need a magazine set. You need one wall, good light and a single well-chosen object. Here is how to get it right.
Why Your Background Matters
It Reads as Professionalism
A tidy, intentional background tells colleagues you are organised and present. A chaotic one — however unfairly — can read as distracted. The good news is that a single, deliberate object does most of the work of looking composed.
Warmth Without Distraction
The best video-call backgrounds are neutral enough not to pull focus, but warm enough not to feel sterile. A handcrafted wooden figurine sits in the perfect middle ground: it adds character and natural texture without flashing, beeping or moving.
For full desktop styling guidance, see our desk styling guide.
Building a Zoom-Ready Desk
Find Your Light
In Australia and New Zealand, natural light is abundant — use it. Sit facing a window so daylight falls on your face, and avoid having a bright window directly behind you, which silhouette you into shadow. A small wooden piece near the light picks up its warmth and softens the whole frame.
Create Depth
Place your figurine slightly behind and to one side of your screen — not directly behind your head, where it would look like it is growing out of your shoulder. A shelf in the background with one object and a couple of books creates the gentle depth that makes a background look professionally styled rather than flat.
Choose One Focal Object
Resist the urge to fill the frame. Pick one piece — an Owl, a Geometric Wooden Deer, a Blue-Coat Traveler — and let it be the single, quiet focal point behind you. One object reads as curated; five read as a shop display. Owl, Geometric Wooden Deer and Blue-Coat Traveler are all compact enough to sit unobtrusively behind your screen.
Living With the Camera On
A Natural Conversation Starter
A visible figurine invites a friendly question — "What's that bright little bird behind you?" It is a low-stakes way to build rapport at the start of a meeting, before the agenda begins. Choose a piece with a bit of personality, like a Brooklyn the Broccoli or a Coco the Corgi, and let it spark the small talk for you.
Privacy and Boundaries
Consider what else is in the frame — a family photo, a whiteboard of work notes, a half-open door. Arrange your desk so the things you would rather keep private sit outside the camera's view. A figurine, a lamp and a plant are safe, shareable choices.
For more on a calm, focused workspace, see our calm workspace decor guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I put behind me for video calls?
A simple, uncluttered arrangement works best: a shelf or wall with one focal object, a plant, and good natural light. A handcrafted wooden figurine adds warmth and character without being distracting.
Where should I place my desk for the best Zoom background?
Face a window for flattering light, with your background behind you rather than a bright window. Position a small object slightly to one side and behind you to create natural depth.
Is a wooden figurine too distracting for a professional call?
Not at all. Unlike moving screens or flashing decor, a static wooden piece is calm and non-distracting. It adds warmth and can even serve as a friendly conversation opener.
What makes a Zoom background look professional?
Tidiness, soft natural light, a neutral palette and a single intentional focal point. One well-chosen object beats a cluttered shelf every time.
Present Your Best Self
In a remote-working world, your background is part of your handshake. A composed desk with one handcrafted wooden figurine tells colleagues you are calm, capable and put-together — without saying a word.
Explore our handcrafted wooden collection and find the piece that completes your desk.