How to Customize Your Notion Page: Adjusting Appearance, Layout, and Elements

Notion is a powerful all-in-one productivity tool that enables you to create and organize notes, documents, databases, and more. With its extensive customization features, you can personalize your workspace to match your style and workflow. In this article, we explore various ways to update your Notion page by adjusting its appearance, layout, and elements based on current Notion features and best practices.

Customizing Appearance

Changing the Theme

Notion now offers refined theme options that you can easily apply to your workspace. To change your theme:

1. Click on the Settings & Members icon (or the gear icon in the sidebar on desktop).
2. Select Settings.
3. In the Appearance section, locate the Theme option. You can choose between Light, Dark, or System Default mode. Changes will automatically update throughout your workspace.

Applying Color and Icons

In addition to preset themes, Notion allows you to customize colors and icons for a more personalized look. To modify these elements:

1. Open Settings & Members.
2. Select Settings.
3. Under the Appearance section, adjust the Primary Color and Accent Color using the color picker.
4. To update page icons, click on the icon at the top left of any page and select a new icon from the available library or upload a custom image.

Adding Cover Images

Personalizing your page isn’t limited to icons and colors. You can also add or change the cover image at the top of your page:

1. Hover over the current cover image (or the placeholder if none is set).
2. Click on Change Cover.
3. Choose from Notion’s gallery, upload your own image, or paste an image URL. This adds another layer of customization to reflect your style.

Customizing Layout

Rearranging Blocks

Notion organizes content into blocks that you can easily rearrange to suit your workflow. Simply click and drag any block to reposition it. For a nested hierarchy, drag a block slightly to the right until you see a blue indicator, and it will nest under the block above.

Creating Columns

Columns help you structure your page for better visual balance. In Notion’s current version, creating columns is more intuitive:

1. Hover over the block you want to position.
2. Drag the block to the right side of an adjacent block until you see a vertical blue line.
3. Release the block to place it next to the other content. You can repeat these steps to add multiple columns.

Adjusting Indentation and Spacing

While Notion does not offer advanced spacing controls like traditional word processors, you can adjust the layout naturally:

1. Select the text or block you wish to fine-tune.
2. Use the handles or drag the block to create visual separation.
3. To simulate additional spacing, consider adding empty blocks (sometimes referred to as spacers) or using the /spacer command if available in your workspace.

Customizing Elements

Changing Fonts

Changing the font can dramatically alter the visual appeal of your Notion page. Notion now allows you to modify the font style at the page level:

1. Click on the three dots in the top-right corner of your page.
2. Select Style.
3. Under the Default Font option, choose a font from the dropdown menu. Options typically include Serif, Sans, and Mono. The choice applies to all text on the page.

Adding Images and Media

Embedding images, videos, and other media is simple in Notion. To add an image:

1. Click on the + icon to create a new block.
2. Choose the Image block type.
3. Upload an image from your device or insert an image URL. For videos and other media, select the respective block type from the command menu (e.g., /video).

Embedding External Content

Notion makes it easy to integrate external content such as websites, YouTube videos, and Google Drive files:

1. Click on the + icon to add a new block.
2. Select the Embed block type.
3. Paste the URL of the content you want to embed. Notion will automatically generate a preview and display the content on your page.

Conclusion

With its robust customization options, Notion empowers you to tailor every aspect of your workspace—from themes, colors, and fonts to layout and embedded media. Whether you’re building a streamlined dashboard or a creative workspace, these features help you create a Notion page that not only reflects your personal style but also boosts your productivity. Experiment with these options and discover the best practices to make your workspace uniquely yours.