When selecting a neutral background color, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind. The color should complement the overall design, be easy on the eyes, and allow any foreground content to stand out clearly. Choosing the right neutral background involves understanding color theory, evaluating different color options, and testing for sufficient contrast. With some thoughtful selection, it’s possible to find a versatile neutral background that enhances usability.
Understand Color Theory
Color theory provides a framework for choosing harmonious color combinations. When selecting a neutral background color, it’s helpful to first define the overall color scheme. Some popular options include:
| Monochromatic | Shades of one color |
| Analogous | Colors next to each other on the color wheel |
| Complementary | Opposite colors on the color wheel |
| Triadic | Colors evenly spaced around the color wheel |
Once the overall palette is chosen, the neutral background color should complement these tones. For example, an earthy, monochromatic site might pair well with an off-white background. A vibrant triadic palette could use a gray neutral instead. Understanding basic color relationships helps select a background that fits.
Evaluate Neutral Color Options
When narrowed down to neutrals, common background color options include:
| White | Clean, open, and airy |
| Off-white | Warm and calm |
| Gray | Classic, balanced, and subtle |
| Black | Bold, sleek, and modern |
Consider the impression created by each shade. A crisp white conveys openness. Soft off-whites feel cozy and relaxed. Cool grays are modest yet elegant. A black background is strikingly dramatic.
The context should guide selection between these neutrals. White and off-white suit casual sites with lots of whitespace. Grays work for polished corporate sites. Black backgrounds best fit artsy or nightlife-related designs. Choose the neutral that aligns with the brand personality.
Check Contrast Levels
Sufficient contrast between the foreground content and neutral background is crucial for readability. Some color combinations that seem fine at first can end up straining the eyes. Checking contrast helps avoid this issue.
The W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines require a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for body text over background. Smaller text such as captions requires at least 3:1. Contrast ratio refers to the relative luminance between colors. Various free online tools can calculate this ratio. Anything lower fails the test.
Check contrast levels between the potential background color and sample text. Tweak the shade if needed until reaching compliant ratios. This ensures the palette stays readable across the site.
Test On Actual Content
The final step is viewing the chosen neutral background with real representative content. Create a quick prototype page including:
- Sample text paragraphs
- Common interactive elements like buttons and links
- Relevant images or illustrations
- Blocks of color from the overall palette
Look at this test page on different devices under different lighting conditions. Check for any issues like insufficient contrast, odd luminance effects, or unintended vibes. Refine the background color if needed.
Proper testing helps fine-tune the neutral background to work seamlessly across contexts. Keep iteratively adjusting until the color performs as intended.
Favor Versatile Off-White and Gray
For most websites, off-white and light to medium gray backgrounds are optimal choices. These neutrals walk the line between clean, professional, warm, and inviting. They act as a subtle backdrop that puts the focus on the content.
Shades like #f5f5f5, #f0f0f0, and #efefef are light enough to not strain the eyes while providing sufficient contrast. Darkening towards the #d0d0d0 to #c0c0c0 range adds a touch of sophistication. These grays complement a wide range of color schemes.
Off-whites and grays also avoid some of the issues with true white and black. Glare can make white unpleasant. Black risks coming across as too heavy and imposing. The softer in-between neutrals hit the right balance.
Enhance Branding with Color
While playing it safe with grays and off-whites works, don’t be afraid to bring in some subtle color for unique branding. Try a bluish-gray, greenish-gray, or pinkish-grey tinted background. This ties into brand identity while retaining a neutral base.
Looking at competitor sites for inspiration can identify colors associated with certain industries. For example, tech companies lean into cool blues and greens. Hospitality favors warm tan, cream, and peach backgrounds. Use color judiciously to evoke the desired theme.
Just ensure the tinting doesn’t compromise readability. The background should remain clearly recognizable as a neutral shade. Soft tinting with the main brand color works better than making the background too colorful.
Change It Up with Scrolling
On long pages and websites, consider changing the background color between sections. Several brands shift between a light and medium neutral to define different areas. This adds visual interest through the scroll.
Section splits where the background changes are logical occasions to alter the shade. Changes should make sense and not feel arbitrary. Ensure adjacent colors have enough contrast as well.
Used consistently across pages, color variations can create flow during scrolling. But utilize this technique in moderation to avoid visual chaos. Generally one or two switches maximum is ideal.
Test Across Environments
Unlike fixed print layouts, digital screens display colors differently depending on OS, device, app, browser, and user settings. Thoroughly test background colors across environments.
OS level settings like Dark Mode on iOS and macOS invert color schemes. Browsers also vary in color rendering. What looks neutral on one device may skew warm or cool elsewhere. Some color choices fail to hold up.
Additionally, lighting conditions significantly impact perception. Colors visible in daylight wash out under harsh office fluorescent lights. A seemingly dark background can become light and low-contrast at night.
Testing across the user journey reveals these issues early. Refine the background to withstand different environments if needed.
Conclusion
Choosing that perfect neutral website background color ultimately requires balancing aesthetics and accessibility. Lean into versatile grays and off-whites as a baseline, tweaking the shade to suit the brand. Validate sufficient contrast everywhere content will appear. Bring in subtle color if it enhances the theme without reducing readability. With consideration for diverse viewing contexts, it’s possible to select a neutral background that puts content first while upholding strong design.