10 video background ideas to set the scene

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Your message is ready, your lighting is perfect and you’re about to hit record. But then you look at what’s behind you—a messy room, a plain white wall or a distracting window. Your video’s background is more than just scenery, it’s a supporting character that sets the tone, reinforces your brand identity and keeps your viewers focused on what matters most.

Coming up with a video background that looks professional without being boring can feel like a challenge. But you don't need a Hollywood set or a massive budget to create a backdrop that looks fantastic. Whether you're filming a marketing video, a YouTube tutorial or a virtual meeting, a great background is within reach. This guide will give you plenty of video background ideas to help you find the perfect setting for the next time you're figuring out how to make a professional video.

TL;DR: Best video background ideas

Finding the right backdrop can make your video look instantly more professional. Here’s a quick list of options to get you started.

10 Video background ideas for a more professional look

Ready to upgrade your backdrop? Here are ten ideas, ranging from simple home setups to high-tech solutions, that will make your videos look amazing or pretty close to it.

1. The classic bookshelf

2. The professional office

3. The bold accent wall

4. The green plant corner

5. The minimalist setup

6. The creative DIY look

7. The great outdoors

8. The solid color backdrop

9. Then convenient virtual background

10. The limitless AI generated background

01. The classic bookshelf

There’s a reason so many experts film in front of a bookshelf, it works. A well-organized bookshelf instantly communicates knowledge and authority. It adds visual interest and texture to your shot without being distracting.

To get this look right, curate your shelves better by facing the spines of your most relevant or visually appealing books forward. Add a few personal items, like a small plant, a framed photo to break up the rows of books and show a bit of personality. Make sure the shelves are tidy and not overflowing.

02. The professional office

Filming in a clean and organized office space is perfect for business-related video ideas. It establishes a professional context for your message, whether you're a consultant sharing advice or a founder talking about your company culture.

You don’t need a corner office with a skyline view to make it work. A simple desk with a modern lamp, a laptop and a neat stack of notebooks can do the trick just as well as something more fancy. The key is to eliminate clutter because a messy desk in the background can make you seem disorganized.

03. The bold accent wall

A plain white wall can feel sterile and uninspired, so painting one wall in a bold, on-brand color is an easy and effective way to make your videos pop. It creates a consistent and recognizable look for your content, helping you build a strong visual brand.

Choose a color that complements your skin tone and reflects your brand’s personality. You can hang a simple piece of art or a neon sign on the wall for an extra layer of style. This setup is incredibly versatile and works well for everything from makeup tutorials to tech reviews.

04. The green plant corner

Bringing nature indoors is a great way to make your videos feel fresh, calm and more inviting. A corner filled with a few healthy plants adds life, color and depth to your shot. This background is perfect for wellness coaches, lifestyle vloggers and anyone looking to create a relaxed and approachable atmosphere.

Choose plants with interesting leaf shapes and varying heights to create a dynamic look. Make sure they're well-lit and look healthy. Fake plants can also work well if you don’t have a green thumb.

05. The minimalist setup

Sometimes, the best background is the one you barely notice. A minimalist background keeps all the focus on you and your message. It’s a clean, modern and distraction-free option that works especially well for product demonstrations or serious topics.

To achieve this, use a neutral-colored wall (like gray, beige, or off-white) and have only one or two simple decorative items in the frame. This could be a single floor lamp, a sleek chair, or a piece of abstract art because the goal is to create a sense of calm.

06. The creative DIY background

You don’t need to spend a lot of money to create a unique video background. With a little creativity, you can build something that is completely your own. You could hang fairy lights for a dreamy, soft-focus look or you could create a pattern on your wall with washi tape or removable decals.

Another popular DIY option is to use a large piece of fabric or a photography backdrop paper. These come in countless colors and textures and can be easily hung up before you film and taken down afterward.

07. The great outdoors

Why stay inside to film your video? Using an outdoor location as your background offers beautiful, natural lighting and a dynamic environment that a studio can’t replicate. This is a go-to choice for travel vloggers, fitness instructors and real estate agents.

Find a spot that isn’t too busy or noisy, like a quiet park, a scenic viewpoint or even your own backyard. Pay attention to the time of day—the golden hour just after sunrise or before sunset provides the most flattering light.

08. The solid color backdrop

For ultimate simplicity and flexibility, a solid-colored backdrop is a fantastic choice. This is the standard for professional headshots and interviews because it’s clean and puts all the attention on the subject. You can use a pop-up backdrop, a roll of seamless paper, or even a freshly painted wall.

Choosing a color that aligns with your brand is a smart move. Better yet, using a green screen allows you to digitally replace the background with any color, image, or video you want in post-production.

09. The convenient virtual background

When you need a professional look in a pinch, virtual backgrounds are your best friend. Most video conferencing and streaming software allows you to replace your real background with a custom image.

You can upload a high-resolution photo of a stylish office, a modern living room or a simple graphic with your company logo. For the best results, use a physical green screen and even lighting as this will help the software separate you from your background cleanly, avoiding the fuzzy, distorted edges.

10. The limitless AI-generated scene

What if your perfect background doesn’t exist in the real world? With AI video tools, you can create it from scratch. Using video makers like Wixel, you can dream up any setting imaginable and bring it to life.

You could place yourself in a futuristic city, a fantasy forest or an animated world that matches your creative vision. AI lets you generate entire video clips based on text prompts, giving you a library of custom-made background footage. It's an incredible way to produce highly creative and unique videos without needing a physical set.

Video background ideas FAQ