If you want to create a visually pleasing WordPress website, changing the background colors can help you highlight important content, create a clear visual hierarchy, and make your site more engaging. However, with so many blocks available in the WordPress Block Editor, it can be confusing to figure out how to change the background color for each one.
While some blocks come with built-in background color settings, others require a slightly different approach. The good news is that most WordPress core blocks support native background color customization, and for those that don’t, there are simple workarounds like the Group block and Cover block.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through three easy methods so you can confidently style any block on your site. We’ll cover blocks that support direct color changes, show how to use the Group block and explore the Cover block for advanced designs like hero sections and banners. Let’s get started.
Method 1: Direct Background Color (Native Support)
Many WordPress core blocks come with native support for background color changes. This means you can directly apply colors without adding extra blocks or custom code.
Step 1: Select the Block
Start by clicking on the block you want to customize within the editor. This will activate the block, and its settings will appear in the Impostazioni del blocco panel on the right.
Step 2: Open the Block Settings Sidebar
If the settings panel isn’t already visible, click the Impostazioni button located at the topmost corner on the right side of the editor. Under the Impostazioni del blocco panel, locate the Stili sezione.
Step 3: Adjust the Background Color
From the Styles settings panel, you will find the Colore section. Under Impostazioni del colore, find Background. Now, just choose a color from the palette, work with the color picker, or enter a custom HEX/RGB/HSL code.
Applies to
- Text & Content Blocks: Paragraph, Heading, List, Quote, Pullquote, Code, Preformatted, Verse
- Layout Blocks: Group, Columns, Cover, Media & Text
- Interactive/Widget Blocks: Buttons, Calendar, Latest Posts, Categories, Tag Cloud, Social Icons, Navigation, File, Audio, Video, RSS, Search, Login/Out, Page List
- Site/Post Blocks: Site Title, Site Tagline, Post Title, Post Content, Post Excerpt, Post Date, Post Author, Post Categories, Post Tags, Comments, Next/Previous Post, Read More
- Utility Blocks: Spacer (limited), Separator (limited), Table (entire table only).
Notes
- Cover Block: Instead of a background, you’ll find the Overlay option. You can adjust overlay color along with opacity settings for layered effects.
- Buttons Block: The background color applies to the button itself, while the text color option changes the button’s text.
- Social Icons: The background color affects the icon container only.
- Blocco Tabella:
- To change the background color of the entire table, select the Table block and apply the color in the settings panel.
- You can have different colors for rows, but it’s limited to the default option. Go to the Stili section and choose the Stripes option, but the stripe color is predefined and cannot be customized natively.
Method 2: Wrap in a Group Block
For blocks that don’t have native background color options, such as media, legacy, or utility blocks, you can use a Blocco di gruppo to act as a flexible container. By wrapping content inside the Group block, you can apply background colors to the entire section.
Fase 1: Identify and Target the Specific Block
Click on the block that doesn’t support the background color directly. Once you do that, it will pop up the block toolbar above that particular block.
Step 2: Group the Block
Now, click the Options menu (three dots) on the far right in the block toolbar, and select Gruppo from the dropdown menu. This wraps the selected block inside a Group block.
Step 3: Select the Group Block
Click on the outer edge of the Group block, and as the toolbar appears, select the parent group block on the far left. This will highlight the whole section.
Step 4: Apply the Background Color
Straight away, navigate to the Pannello Impostazioni blocco, scroll to the Colore section, and choose a background color, or use the color picker for custom shades.
Step 5: Adjust Spacing (Optional)
If the content inside your group block takes the whole width of the block, you may need to adjust the content width to make the background color visible. Select the Gruppo block (as we did in step 3), move to the Impostazioni del blocco, scroll down to Content Width, and set a custom width to create space between the content and the colored background.
Applies to
- Media Blocks Without Direct Support: Image (if not converted to Cover), Video, Audio
- Legacy/Utility Blocks: Shortcode, Classic, More, Custom HTML, Legacy Widget, Template Part, Page Break, Archives, Embed (YouTube, Twitter, etc.), Avatar, Comments Query Loop, Spacer (for advanced control), Separator (for added flexibility)
Notes
- The Group block is ideal for creating sections with uniform background colors.
- You can nest multiple blocks inside a Group block to style them as a cohesive section.
- Adjust the layout settings (like alignment and padding) for better control over spacing and content flow.
Method 3: Use a Cover Block
When you need advanced design options, like overlay effects or layered backgrounds, the Blocco di copertura is the perfect solution. It allows you to add background colors or images with customizable opacity to make it perfect for hero sections, banners, or featured content areas.
Passo 1: Aggiungere un blocco di copertura
Simply start by clicking the + button in the editor, search for Copertina, and insert it into your content.
Step 2: Choose a Background Color
From the initial setup, select a background color or add an image. Whether you’re using an image or a color, you can change the overlay color and adjust the overlay opacity. To do that, go to the Colore section under the Stili tab in the Impostazioni del blocco.
Step 3: Insert Content Inside the Cover Block
To insert the content inside the cover block, you can simply use the barra degli strumenti di blocco to drag the block(s) you want to style (like Paragraphs, Headings, or Images) into the Cover block or add new blocks directly inside it using the inseritore di blocchi (+ button).
Applies to
- For Advanced Design Needs: Any block that requires layered background effects, such as Paragraphs, Headings, Images, Buttons, or even multiple combined blocks.
Notes
- The Cover block is perfect for hero sections, call-to-action areas, e banners.
- You can layer text over background colors or images for striking visual effects.
- Adjust the opacity for subtle overlays or bold color blocks.
Summary Table: Blocks & Methods
Block Category |
Metodo |
|---|---|
Text/Content Blocks (e.g., Paragraph, Heading, List) |
Metodo 1 |
Media Blocks (e.g., Image, Video, Audio) |
Method 2 or 3 |
Layout Blocks (e.g., Columns, Group, Cover) |
Method 1, 2, or 3 |
Interactive Blocks (e.g., Buttons, Social Icons) |
Metodo 1 |
Widget Blocks (e.g., Search, Calendar) |
Metodo 1 |
Legacy/Utility Blocks (e.g., Shortcode, Classic) |
Metodo 2 |
Conclusione
The easiest way to have a big impact on your website’s overall look and feel is probably by changing the background color of the WordPress core blocks you use. Your choice of delivering content using the right background color will definitely attract your website viewers. It’s a simple yet powerful hack to improve user experience and make your site stand out. Whether you choose the native background color settings, use the Group block method, or choose the Cover block approach, at the end of the day, it’s not just about adding color; it’s about creating an environment where your content speaks louder. So go ahead, experiment with colors, and see how small changes can transform your website into a more effective platform.
