How to Customize Background Colors in Notion?

Notion is a versatile and customizable note-taking and productivity tool that allows you to create personalized workspaces. Customizing background colors can help you create a visually appealing and organized workspace that aligns with your personal style. In this article, we explore several methods and best practices for customizing background colors in Notion using current features and workarounds.

Method 1: Simulate a Page Background Color

Notion does not offer a built-in setting to change the entire page’s background color. However, you can simulate a background effect by using creative workarounds:

1. Add a full-width colored block at the top of your page. For example, you can create a callout block and set its color by clicking the block’s six-dot button and selecting a background color.
2. Adjust the block’s width by toggling the Full Width option from the page menu so that it spans the entire page.
3. Place your content below this block to create an impression of a colored background section.

While this method won’t change the underlying page color, it visually distinguishes sections and creates a custom look.

Method 2: Utilize Database Properties

Notion lets you use colors within databases to help visually categorize data. Here’s how you can add color to database entries:

1. Create a database or open an existing one.
2. Add a property (for example, a Select or Multi-select property).
3. Click on the property’s color options in the property settings.
4. Choose a color from the palette or click “Custom” to enter a hexadecimal code.
5. The colored labels will appear beside your entries, helping you quickly distinguish and categorize your data.

This method improves visual organization within databases without altering the full background.

Method 3: Apply Background Colors to Blocks

Notion’s block-based approach makes it easy to customize the background color of individual blocks:

1. Insert a block by clicking the + icon or by typing / followed by the block type you want to create.
2. Once the block is inserted, click the six-dot handle to bring up block options.
3. Click the Color button.
4. From the palette, choose a background color (or text color) that suits your needs.
5. The selected block will now display the chosen color as its background.

This method is effective for creating visually distinct sections and emphasizing important content within your page.

Method 4: Advanced Customization with CSS

For users comfortable with CSS, advanced customization is possible through browser extensions that inject custom styles into Notion. A few points to note:

1. Install a browser extension such as "Stylus" for Chrome or "Stylish" for Firefox.

2. Open Notion in your browser.

3. Click the extension’s icon and select the option to manage or create styles.

4. Create a new style for Notion or edit an existing one.

5. Write CSS code to target specific elements and modify background colors.
   For example, to change the overall workspace background, you might add:

   body {  background: #f2f2f2;}

6. Save the changes in your extension.

7. Refresh the Notion page to see the updated background colors.

Keep in mind that using custom CSS is unofficial and may be affected by future updates to Notion.

Conclusion

Notion provides several ways to enhance the visual appeal of your workspace by incorporating background colors. Although a direct option for changing the entire page background isn’t available, workarounds like full-width colored blocks, setting colors in database properties, and customizing individual blocks can greatly improve your experience. For those seeking a deeper level of personalization, browser extensions that allow custom CSS offer extensive options. With these methods and best practices, you can create a unique, visually appealing workspace that boosts productivity and makes Notion truly your own.