Customize Collection List Layout in Shopify Dawn Theme

Are you struggling with the layout of your collection list on your Shopify store’s homepage? Many store owners find that the default settings in the Dawn theme can result in oversized images and an unappealing arrangement, especially on desktop views. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of customizing your collection list to achieve a more visually pleasing and functional layout.

Understanding the Challenge

The Default Dawn Theme Behavior

The Dawn theme, while modern and responsive, has a tendency to display collection list images in a way that may not suit every store’s needs. By default, it often:

1. Breaks the collection list into two rows on desktop views
2. Displays images that are too large for some layouts
3. Adjusts image sizes unpredictably as the browser window is resized

Desired Outcome

Most store owners are looking to achieve:

1. A single row of collection images on desktop
2. Consistent, fixed-size images (around 200px x 200px)
3. A neat, organized appearance across all screen sizes

The Solution: Custom CSS

Implementing the Fix

The most effective way to address this issue is by adding custom CSS to your theme. Here’s the step-by-step process:

1. Go to your Shopify admin panel
2. Navigate to Online Store > Themes
3. Click on “Edit code” for your active theme
4. Locate the file section-collection-list.css in the Assets folder
5. Add the following code at the bottom of the file:

@media screen and (min-width: 750px) {
  li.collection-list__item.grid__item.slider__slide {
    width: calc(25% - 1rem * 3 / 4);
  }
}

This CSS snippet targets desktop views (screens wider than 750px) and adjusts the width of each collection list item to occupy 25% of the available space, effectively creating a four-column layout.

Understanding the Code

Let’s break down what this CSS does:

• @media screen and (min-width: 750px): This media query ensures the style only applies to screens 750px and wider.
• li.collection-list__item.grid__item.slider__slide: This selector targets the specific list items in your collection list.
• width: calc(25% - 1rem * 3 / 4): This calculation sets each item to 25% of the container width, minus a small amount for spacing between items.

Fine-Tuning Your Layout

Adjusting for Different Numbers of Collections

If you have more or fewer than four collections, you may need to adjust the percentage in the CSS. For example:

• For 3 collections: Use 33.33% instead of 25%
• For 5 collections: Use 20% instead of 25%

Mobile Optimization

While the above solution works well for desktop views, you may want to optimize for mobile as well. Add this additional CSS for a two-column layout on smaller screens:

@media screen and (max-width: 749px) {
  .collection-list .collection-list__item {
    width: calc(50% - 3rem) !important;
  }
  .card--media .card__text-spacing {
    padding: 1rem !important;
  }
  .card--media .card__text-spacing h3 {
    font-size: 12px;
    height: 30px !important;
  }
}

This code will create a more compact, two-column layout on mobile devices, with adjusted text sizing for better readability.

Advanced Customizations

Fixing Image Sizes

To ensure your collection images maintain a consistent size, you can add additional CSS:

.collection-list__item img {
  width: 200px;
  height: 200px;
  object-fit: cover;
}

This will force all images to be 200x200 pixels while maintaining their aspect ratio.

Creating a Carousel Effect

For stores with many collections, a carousel effect can be an elegant solution. While implementing this requires more advanced modifications to your theme’s liquid files, it’s worth considering for a dynamic, space-saving presentation.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Images Still Too Large

If your images are still appearing too large after applying the CSS, double-check that:

1. You’ve added the CSS to the correct file
2. There are no conflicting styles in your theme
3. You’ve cleared your browser cache and refreshed the page

Layout Breaking on Certain Screen Sizes

If you notice the layout breaking at specific screen sizes, you may need to add additional media queries to address these breakpoints. For example:

@media screen and (min-width: 990px) and (max-width: 1200px) {
  /* Add specific styles for this range */
}

By implementing these customizations, you can transform your collection list from a potential eyesore into an attractive, functional element of your Shopify store’s homepage. Remember to always test your changes across various devices and screen sizes to ensure a consistent, appealing experience for all your customers.