From work conferences to happy hours to just hanging out and chatting with friends, Zoom and Microsoft Teams have become the go-to platforms for virtually connecting during the pandemic. Since we’ve been staying at home for a few months now, your background – it’s a beach picture you Googled, isn’t it? – might be getting a little old.

Brookfield Residential designs the best places to call home and now, the best places to use for your new backdrop. We proudly design spaces that are airy, spotless, and decorated impeccably. Our model photography captures the energy and essence of our homes making them the ideal background for all your virtual calls.

The virtual background feature allows users to swap out their real-life background with an alternate image of your choosing. If your real-life background isn’t what you want shared with the people you’re connecting with, a Brookfield Residential virtual background is the perfect solution for maintaining some privacy while remaining presentable – and stylish!

Here are some of our favorite images:

Bright & Stylish Kitchen at Retreat at Dripping Springs in Austin, Texas
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Learn more about Retreat at Dripping Springs

Modern Master Bedroom at Artesia at Heritage Pointe in Calgary
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Learn more about Artesia at Heritage Pointe

Elegant Dining Table at Edgemont in Edmonton
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Learn more about Edgemont

Light & Airy Dining Area at Hyde Park at Boulevard in Dublin, Northern California
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Learn more about Hyde Park at Boulevard

Sleek & Sophisticated Living Area at Woodhaven in Aurora, Ontario
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Learn more about Woodhaven

Light & Bright Conservatory at Waterford Manor in Leesburg, Virginia
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Learn more about Waterford Manor

Spacious Chef’s Kitchen at Cranston’s Riverstone in Calgary
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Learn more about Cranston’s Riverstone

Oceanfront View at Holua Kai in Keauhou, Hawaii
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Learn more about Holua Kai

Sleek & Modern Great Room at Barefoot Lakes in Firestone, Colorado
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Learn more about Barefoot Lakes

Vibrant & Contemporary Great Room at Lantana @Beach in Stanton, Southern California
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Learn more about Lantana @Beach

Here’s how to use Zoom’s virtual background feature:

1. Download the Zoom Mac or Windows app.
2. Open the application, sign in, click your profile picture, followed by the Settings link in the drop-down menu.
3. Navigate to the Virtual Background tab. If you do not see this tab, log in to the Zoom website, go to Meeting Settings, and make sure the Virtual Background button is toggled on under the Meeting tab.
4. In the Virtual Background tab, users can upload their own photos.
5. If you have a green screen setup, select “I have a green screen” so the software can properly set up your background. If you do not, no worries, Zoom recommends you stream from a location with a solid background color.

If you’re using Zoom from your iPad or iPhone, you can also change your background in the iOS app:

1. Join a meeting, then click the More tab while you are logged into your account.
2. Tap the Virtual Background option.
3. Choose a background by uploading your own photos.  

Here’s how to change your background for a Microsoft Teams meeting:

1. While you’re setting up your video and audio before joining a meeting, select Background Effects. It’s just to the right of the mic switch. Your background options will display on the right.
2. To use your own image, choose Add New and then select an image to upload from your computer. Make sure it’s a .JPG, .PNG, or .BMP file.
3. Your new background will stay in effect for all your meetings and calls until you change it again.

Recommended image sizes:

1. Zoom recommends using background images with an aspect ratio of 16:9 and a minimum resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels.
2. Microsoft teams recommends images with a minimum size of 360 x 360 pixels and no larger than 2048 x 2048 pixel and an aspect ratio greater than 4. 

Don’t worry – the standards for Brookfield Residential’s model photography meet these guidelines so you’re ready to upload and use once you download our beautiful images.

These selections will let you pretend you’re not only somewhere else, but also somewhere else than the first place you pretended to be. When you’re ready to make your virtual background your reality, connect with our sales teams and let us help you find the best place to call home!