The home office wall: designing the backdrop for every video call

Plenty of people now spend part of the workday at home. In 2024, 33 percent of employed people did some or all of their work at home on days they worked, and among workers with a bachelor’s degree or higher the share was 50 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The wall behind the desk has become a room’s public face.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, American Time Use Survey, 2024 results.

What reads well on camera?

Texture with a calm color works better than busy pattern, which can shimmer on a webcam. Wood slats with a grasscloth or fabric inset, like the office pictured, give depth without distraction.

How dark can the wall behind a desk be?

A very dark wall behind you absorbs light, so plan a light in front of your face. The light reflectance numbers on our color page explain why.

Do the same ideas work in a den?

The same ideas carry over to a den: one paneled wall, warm lamps and darker paint make a small room feel deliberate.

Offices in South Sarasota and Venice homes are often spare bedrooms; if that describes yours, ask whether your home is in our area. Trim My Crib’s finished accent walls include office backdrops.