3 Easy Ways to Change Website Colors in Squarespace 7.1 (Beginner Guide)

If you just started building a website and the default colors do not match your brand, you do not need to spend hours adjusting individual settings one by one.

Squarespace 7.1 is built on a unified styling system where colors can be overhauled globally. Depending on how much control you want, there are 3 simple options to change your Squarespace site colors—from selecting the right base template to applying 1-click designer presets or dialing in custom brand hex codes.

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Option 1: Pick a Template with Your Desired Dominant Background Upfront

In Squarespace 7.1, all templates belong to the same underlying template family and share the exact same design capabilities. However, template designers configure each starter template with a specific dominant (default) color theme (such as a clean white Lightest 1 or a bold dark Dark 1).

If you are in the initial setup stage before purchasing a subscription plan, choosing a template whose dominant background matches your vision will save you substantial customization time:

1. In your Squarespace account dashboard, click Create a Site.

2. Browse templates by focusing primarily on their base color aesthetic (light vs. dark) rather than placeholder photos or demo fonts.

3. If you want a dark-themed portfolio, choose a dark-mode starter template (like Barbosa). If you prefer an airy, minimalist look, select a light starter template.

4. Starting with the right base color environment ensures that new prebuilt page layouts automatically load with your preferred background tone.

Option 2: Apply 1-Click Designer Color Presets

If you already have content on your site and want an instant visual makeover without touching code or color wheels, built-in Color Presets are the easiest route.

Site Styles (Paintbrush Icon) ➔ Colors ➔ Edit Palette ➔ Presets

How to Use Presets:

1. In edit mode, click the Site Styles icon (the paintbrush in the top-right corner).

2. Navigate to Colors > Edit Palette > Presets.

3. Browse through the curated designer color combinations.

4. Click any preset to see your section backgrounds, headings, text, and buttons update across your live website in real time.

5. Once you find a palette that creates strong contrast and matches your brand feel, click Save in the top-left corner.

Option 3: Customize the Master Palette & Dominant Theme (Full Control)

For precise control over your brand identity, you can input your own exact 6-digit hex codes and fine-tune the template's primary styling.

Step 1: Set Your 5 Master Brand Colors

1. Navigate to Site Styles > Colors > Edit Palette.

2. Click on each of the 5 color circles at the top of the panel to enter your specific brand hex codes (e.g., #1A1A1A for dark text or #0066FF for action buttons).

3. Setting these 5 core colors automatically recalibrates default pairings across all 10 color themes.

Step 2: Fine-Tune the Dominant Theme (Micro-Tweaks)

1. In the Site Styles > Colors panel, locate your template’s dominant color theme (the theme outlined with a border and pencil icon).

2. Click the pencil icon next to that theme.

3. Individually adjust Section Background, Heading Colors (H1–H4), Paragraph Text (P1–P3), and Primary Button Backgrounds.

4. Because this dominant theme is applied to 80%+ of your website, your fine-tuned adjustments apply sitewide in one click.

Ensure Your Color Scheme Passes WCAG Accessibility Standards

Whichever option you choose, always make sure your text, form inputs, and call-to-action buttons maintain sufficient contrast against their section backgrounds.

Under international WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) standards, body text requires a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 to remain easily readable for all visitors.

If you want professionally tested, high-contrast color palettes designed specifically for Squarespace blocks, explore our Premium Squarespace Color Themes for instant DIY hex code copies and expert installation options.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I switch templates in Squarespace 7.1 like in version 7.0?

In Squarespace 7.1, you cannot swap templates with a single button because all 7.1 templates share the exact same engine. Instead, you can change your site's entire appearance at any time by modifying Site Styles > Colors (via Presets or Palette Editor) and adding or rearranging sections on your pages.

What is the fastest way to change colors across my entire site?

Using Edit Palette > Presets inside the Site Styles panel is the fastest method. It updates your master 5-color palette and all 10 generated color themes in a single click.

Will applying a new Color Preset delete or overwrite my written text?

No. Color presets only modify the color values (hex codes) assigned to backgrounds, text, lines, and buttons. Your written copy, images, page structures, and SEO settings remain completely untouched.

Why does text become hard to read after changing palette colors?

If you select a light background without adjusting your text color to a dark tone (or vice versa), the text loses contrast. Always check your headings and paragraph colors inside your active color theme's settings to ensure crisp readability.

More Resources

Check more resources which are helpful in designing a Squarespace website.

• Get Squarespace Website Design Package on Turnkey Basis.

• Explore Our Premium Custom Squarespace Color Themes for Your Website.

• How to Change Squarespace Colors for All Major Blocks: Buttons, Forms, Carousel, Text, Social Links, Newsletter, Announcement Bar, Line, Links, Scrolling Text, Logo on Different Pages, Section Background, and Change Color Palette.

• Method to Change Squarespace Colors through Color Themes.

• Method to Change Squarespace Colors through Palette Editor.

• Find the Default Dominant Color Theme in a Squarespace Template.

• Squarespace Color PRESETS: Method to Change Color.

• Three Easiest Options for Color Selection on a Squarespace Website.

• Squarespace support article for changing colors.

• Methods of Font customization in Squarespace website.

• Check more learning resources about Squarespace.

• Join our Facebook Group about Squarespace help.

• ExploreServices List offered by Dozro.

• Download FREE Banners for Facebook, or YouTube, or other Social Media, or Advert Flyers.

• Check Dozro Services List or visit the Homepage of our website.

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