How to Change Section Background Colors in Shopify Themes

Are you looking to customize the look of your Shopify store by changing the background colors of specific sections? Whether you’re using the Venture theme or any other Shopify theme, this guide will walk you through the process of modifying section background colors to create a unique and cohesive design for your online store.

Understanding Shopify Theme Customization

The Importance of Visual Branding

Your Shopify store’s visual appearance plays a crucial role in attracting and retaining customers. By customizing section background colors, you can create a cohesive brand identity that resonates with your target audience.

Limitations of Built-in Theme Settings

While many Shopify themes offer customization options, some may not provide specific controls for changing section background colors. In such cases, you’ll need to use custom CSS to achieve the desired look.

The Power of Custom CSS

Custom CSS allows you to make precise adjustments to your theme’s appearance without altering the core theme files. This approach is both flexible and maintainable, ensuring your customizations remain intact even after theme updates.

Changing Section Background Colors: Step-by-Step Guide

Locating the Theme Editor

To begin customizing your Shopify theme, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your Shopify admin panel
2. Navigate to “Online Store” > “Themes”
3. Find your current theme and click “Actions” > “Edit code”

Identifying the Correct File

For most themes, you’ll want to modify the main stylesheet:

1. In the theme editor, look for a file named theme.scss or theme.css in the “Assets” folder
2. Click on the file to open it in the code editor

Adding Custom CSS

To change the background color of specific sections, you’ll need to add custom CSS rules. Here’s an example of how to modify the background colors for testimonial and rich text sections:

.testimonial-section {
  background-color: #f0f0f0; /* Light gray */
}

.rich-text-section {
  background-color: #e6f2ff; /* Light blue */
}

Replace the color values with your desired colors. You can use hex codes, RGB values, or color names.

Applying the Changes

After adding your custom CSS:

1. Save the file
2. Preview your changes in the theme editor
3. If satisfied, publish your theme to make the changes live

Advanced Customization Techniques

Using Color Variables

For more flexible customization, consider using CSS variables:

:root {
  --testimonial-bg: #f0f0f0;
  --rich-text-bg: #e6f2ff;
}

.testimonial-section {
  background-color: var(--testimonial-bg);
}

.rich-text-section {
  background-color: var(--rich-text-bg);
}

This approach allows for easier color management across your theme.

Creating Color Pickers in Theme Settings

For themes that support it, you can add color picker settings to your sections:

1. Locate the section’s liquid file (e.g., testimonial.liquid)
2. Add a color setting to the section schema:

{% schema %}
{
  "name": "Testimonial",
  "settings": [
    {
      "type": "color",
      "id": "background_color",
      "label": "Background Color",
      "default": "#f0f0f0"
    }
  ]
}
{% endschema %}

3. Use the setting in your section’s HTML:

<div class="testimonial-section" style="background-color: {{ section.settings.background_color }}">
  <!-- Section content -->
</div>

This method provides a user-friendly way to change colors without editing code.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

CSS Not Applying

If your custom CSS isn’t working:

1. Check for typos in your CSS selectors
2. Ensure you’re targeting the correct elements
3. Use browser developer tools to inspect the elements and verify your CSS is being applied

Conflicts with Existing Styles

Sometimes, existing theme styles may override your custom CSS. To resolve this:

1. Use more specific selectors
2. Consider using !important sparingly (e.g., background-color: #f0f0f0 !important;)

Theme Update Considerations

When updating your theme:

1. Back up your custom CSS
2. After updating, reapply your customizations if necessary
3. Consider using a child theme or custom theme app for more robust customizations

By following this guide, you should now be able to successfully change the background colors of various sections in your Shopify theme. Remember to test your changes thoroughly and ensure they look good on all devices before publishing. Happy customizing!