One of the most crucial stages in website design is setting the background for all pages.
A classic choice for a background is plain white, as it makes text easier to read. Text also reads well on light shades of beige and cream. However, clients often find websites with white backgrounds too uniform and boring. In such cases, there is a need to create pages with backgrounds of different colors or with background images.
There are several considerations to keep in mind when using background images or different colored backgrounds.
Color Perception
Different colors evoke different associations in the human mind. For example, red is often associated with danger or blood, green with grass or foliage, and yellow with the sun. However, it’s important to note that the meaning of colors can vary across cultures. For instance, black is universally associated with death, while in Eastern cultures, white symbolizes death.
Choosing Background Colors
When choosing a background color other than white, it’s best to use pastel tones and shades. Bright colors can be excessively tiring for the eyes and can make reading text difficult.
Color Palettes
You can use a safe or unsafe color palette for creating backgrounds. A safe palette consists of 216 colors that display consistently across different browsers and monitors. An unsafe palette includes many more colors but may vary depending on users’ device video adapters.
Background Varieties
You can set backgrounds not only for entire pages but also for individual elements.
- Gradient Backgrounds: Gradient backgrounds are popular and use two or more colors that softly blend into each other. You can also use a single color, adjusting its brightness from zero to maximum.
- Background Images: Background images can create a mosaic effect when repeated across the page. Be mindful that large images can slow down page loading times, so it’s best to choose smaller images.
Conclusion
The background of a website is an important design element that can significantly impact user experience and readability. By choosing the right colors, whether solid or gradient, and using appropriate background images, you can enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of your website. Opting for pastel tones and careful consideration of cultural color associations can help create a visually appealing and culturally sensitive design.