Whether we like it or not, zooming is the new socializing – and it's going to be so for the foreseeable future.

As work meetings have moved from the boardroom to Zoom or Microsoft Teams and friends wanting to catch up are forced to ditch bars, pubs, and cafes for video calls on FaceTime, Skype and all sort of different apps, there has been an unexpected boom in artists designing virtual backgrounds.

Through the very worst of the COVID-19 crisis until "second phases" of easing lockdown restrictions, millions of people are spending an unprecedented amount of time in their own homes, with much of their socializing experience shifting from face-to-face interaction to a virtual one.

To brighten up an otherwise mostly dull situation, or keep some privacy on their personal lives, many are swapping their bedroom walls, kitchen cupboards, or living room bookshelves for fantastic virtual background, featuring exotic landscapes, artworks, and popular TV shows – the sky's the limit.

People can call from the set of The Office (American or British, whatever your allegiance is), The Simpsons' couch, The Shining's creepy hallway, or even amid the flames of the Everything is fine meme. Tiger King star Joe Exotic has appeared beside many video callers since the TV show became Netflix's most popular title for two consecutive weeks at the end of March.

Companies and brands have been jumping on the trend to meet the demand for virtual backgrounds. The BBC has opened up its archives to offer people the chance to call from the sets of famous TV sitcoms and shows, from inside Doctor Who's Tardis to EastEnders' Queen Vic.

Japanese iconic animation film studio Studio Ghibli released 24 Zoom backgrounds from some of its most loved movies for fans to use during their video calls. For those who have switched to video games to get a break from the current scary reality, a background from Animal Crossing: New Horizons – the Nintendo game that has been a top-selling title in the U.S. and Europe – is a popular choice.

The choice of Zoom background might change, but one feeling remains – the desire to escape the confines of this home-bound present for a little bit of virtual escapism.