Secrets to Looking Good on Screen: Tips for Stylish Video Calls
As we work and socialise online, it pays to look good – and professional – on camera. Three experts share their secrets
Lighting, background, camera angles… Master these techniques and you will make a thoroughly stylish and professional impression on your friends’ and clients’ screens. We asked three Houzz pros who often communicate online to give us their best tips.
How do you make a cluttered space look nice on screen?
“When you are on a video conference, it’s important to keep the room clean and decluttered,” says interior designer Heather Brackin, who is based in Tokyo, Japan.
“First, be aware of the camera angle and where you’re sitting. If your bookshelves are in the background, for example, it’s a good idea to straighten the books and arrange them neatly. I don’t really recommend showing family photos because they can be too private for business meetings.”
Interior designer Rie Horiguchi, who also works in Japan, agrees. “Check and see if there are items that could show too much of your life, such as piles of papers, laundry, a half-tidied kitchen, or any miscellaneous things in the background,” she says.
Stålnacke goes for a background that’s “as neutral as possible, with good natural light,” she says. “You can download backgrounds from [websites and apps] like Canva. It’s also important that the visible space is tidy – imagine that the client is sitting opposite you at the table. Make sure the camera is placed at eye level.”
This means if you’re using a laptop at table height, the camera will likely be angled from below your chin – not a flattering angle for anyone. Consider raising your laptop so the camera is at eye level.
“When you are on a video conference, it’s important to keep the room clean and decluttered,” says interior designer Heather Brackin, who is based in Tokyo, Japan.
“First, be aware of the camera angle and where you’re sitting. If your bookshelves are in the background, for example, it’s a good idea to straighten the books and arrange them neatly. I don’t really recommend showing family photos because they can be too private for business meetings.”
Interior designer Rie Horiguchi, who also works in Japan, agrees. “Check and see if there are items that could show too much of your life, such as piles of papers, laundry, a half-tidied kitchen, or any miscellaneous things in the background,” she says.
Stålnacke goes for a background that’s “as neutral as possible, with good natural light,” she says. “You can download backgrounds from [websites and apps] like Canva. It’s also important that the visible space is tidy – imagine that the client is sitting opposite you at the table. Make sure the camera is placed at eye level.”
This means if you’re using a laptop at table height, the camera will likely be angled from below your chin – not a flattering angle for anyone. Consider raising your laptop so the camera is at eye level.
What if the background is too neutral?
Stålnacke and Horiguchi both point out that virtual backgrounds are an alternative. But there are a few things you can do to pep up your real-life surroundings on camera.
“If the background feels too plain, try placing art posters or a well-designed calendar behind you. It’s also a good idea to put in tall plants as well. If it’s too difficult to manage, you can always use a virtual background,” says Horiguchi.
Brackin agrees. “If the wall is just pure white, it may be too simple. If you feel that you want to add something to the wall as a backdrop, a little greenery or art can soften the atmosphere. The positioning of the plants is also important. Having them slightly to the right or left in the screen is better than placing them directly behind your head – you don’t want it to look like they’re growing out of your head.”
There are certainly advantages to simple backgrounds: “I try to choose as neutral a spot as possible, as I want clients to focus on what I am communicating rather than the things I have around me,” says Stålnacke.
Stålnacke and Horiguchi both point out that virtual backgrounds are an alternative. But there are a few things you can do to pep up your real-life surroundings on camera.
“If the background feels too plain, try placing art posters or a well-designed calendar behind you. It’s also a good idea to put in tall plants as well. If it’s too difficult to manage, you can always use a virtual background,” says Horiguchi.
Brackin agrees. “If the wall is just pure white, it may be too simple. If you feel that you want to add something to the wall as a backdrop, a little greenery or art can soften the atmosphere. The positioning of the plants is also important. Having them slightly to the right or left in the screen is better than placing them directly behind your head – you don’t want it to look like they’re growing out of your head.”
There are certainly advantages to simple backgrounds: “I try to choose as neutral a spot as possible, as I want clients to focus on what I am communicating rather than the things I have around me,” says Stålnacke.
What about lighting?
“It’s important that the light is behind the camera, rather than behind me. Natural daylight is preferable over electrical lighting,” says Stålnacke.
“It’s important that the light is behind the camera, rather than behind me. Natural daylight is preferable over electrical lighting,” says Stålnacke.
How do you present yourself when it comes to clothes, style and body language?
“First impressions are, as usual, very important. Be calm, collected and representative [of your brand],” says Stålnacke.
“Take the same attitude as you would in an in-person meeting, have a clear agenda and listen to the client. Be aware of your body language, too. Your own style is very personal, but your job as an interior designer is to find the client’s style.”
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“First impressions are, as usual, very important. Be calm, collected and representative [of your brand],” says Stålnacke.
“Take the same attitude as you would in an in-person meeting, have a clear agenda and listen to the client. Be aware of your body language, too. Your own style is very personal, but your job as an interior designer is to find the client’s style.”
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What ideas work for families with small children or pets to ensure video conferences are not interrupted?
“I’ve heard many people say that it’s difficult to concentrate on work and video conferencing when they have children at home. One way to find a quiet space is to avoid the living room or dining room and put a small table in the bedroom,” says Brackin.
“If it’s a bedroom, of course, sit in a position where the other person in the video conference cannot see the bed. Avoid having a door in the background, because there is a possibility that family members may enter by mistake.”
If you are one of several participants on an online conference call, it may also help to mute your audio when you’re not presenting if there’s background noise at home.
“I’ve heard many people say that it’s difficult to concentrate on work and video conferencing when they have children at home. One way to find a quiet space is to avoid the living room or dining room and put a small table in the bedroom,” says Brackin.
“If it’s a bedroom, of course, sit in a position where the other person in the video conference cannot see the bed. Avoid having a door in the background, because there is a possibility that family members may enter by mistake.”
If you are one of several participants on an online conference call, it may also help to mute your audio when you’re not presenting if there’s background noise at home.
Can you offer the same level of service in a video call as in an actual meeting?
“It’s a different feeling, but one we have to get used to,” says Stålnacke. “I think a personal meeting is always more rewarding and it can be hard to present materials, colours and products. But the results are often the same, and it’s also good for the client to have the email trail with all the information in it for the future. I think digital meetings and remote work is the future, as it’s now technically easy and you can have a much wider client base.”
Your turn
What dos and don’ts can you share for video conferencing from home? Share your experiences in the Comments, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Need more professional advice? Read 8 Things You Can Do Right Now to Strengthen Your Business
“It’s a different feeling, but one we have to get used to,” says Stålnacke. “I think a personal meeting is always more rewarding and it can be hard to present materials, colours and products. But the results are often the same, and it’s also good for the client to have the email trail with all the information in it for the future. I think digital meetings and remote work is the future, as it’s now technically easy and you can have a much wider client base.”
Your turn
What dos and don’ts can you share for video conferencing from home? Share your experiences in the Comments, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Need more professional advice? Read 8 Things You Can Do Right Now to Strengthen Your Business
Interior designer Catharina Stålnacke of PureCathis is based in Luleå, Sweden, but uses digital tools to work with clients throughout the world. She recommends tailoring the choice of platform to the client.
Her preferences? “[It] depends on the situation and job, but often Zoom and Microsoft Teams. Sometimes it’s easier to just FaceTime people, if you don’t need to share mood boards or plans,” she says.
“For some clients even that’s too much, so I just use email. Whatever works best for the client. Just make sure you have no technical hitches during the meeting, and that the internet connection works well,” she says.
If you have a Houzz Pro subscription, you now automatically have access to Video Meetings, a new premium feature available immediately to Houzz Pro in Australia (Houzz Pro in NZ).