Discord’s default interface works well, but personalizing its look can make the app feel more “you”. Luckily, Discord offers several built-in options to tweak its appearance, along with more advanced customization through third-party tools. Let’s explore how you can give Discord a visual refresh.
Using Discord’s Built-in Theme Options
Discord provides native options to adjust its appearance right from the settings menu. While not extensive, these allow for some basic customization:
Step 1: Open Discord and click the gear icon near your username to access User Settings.
Step 2: In the left sidebar, scroll down to “App Settings” and select “Appearance”.
Step 3: Under the “Theme” section, choose between:
- Dark: A sleek, darker interface that’s easier on the eyes in low-light conditions.
- Light: A brighter theme that some users prefer for daytime use.
Step 4: Explore additional appearance options like message display density and chat font scaling to further refine your experience.
While limited, these built-in options provide a quick way to adjust Discord’s look without any external tools.
Advanced Customization with BetterDiscord
For those seeking more extensive visual changes, BetterDiscord is a popular third-party modification that enables themes and plugins. Here’s how to get started:
Step 1: Visit the BetterDiscord website (betterdiscord.app) and download the installer for your operating system.
Step 2: Run the installer and follow the prompts to add BetterDiscord to your Discord installation.
Step 3: Restart Discord. You’ll now see new “Themes” and “Plugins” sections in your User Settings.
Step 4: To install a theme:
- Browse theme repositories like betterdiscord.app/themes or BetterDiscordAddons/Themes at master · mwittrien/BetterDiscordAddons · GitHub
- Download a theme file (it will have a .css extension)
- Drag and drop the file into Discord’s “Themes” folder (accessible from the Themes section in settings)
- Enable the theme in Discord settings
Caution: While BetterDiscord is popular, using third-party modifications technically violates Discord’s Terms of Service. Use at your own discretion.
Creating Custom CSS Themes
For the most personalized experience, you can create your own Discord theme using CSS:
Step 1: Install BetterDiscord as described above.
Step 2: In Discord settings, go to the “Custom CSS” tab.
Step 3: Write or paste your custom CSS code. Here’s a simple example to change the background color:
body {
background-color: #3a4660 !important;
}
Step 4: Click “Save and Update” to apply your changes.
Step 5: Experiment with different CSS properties to customize various elements of Discord’s interface.
Creating your own theme requires some CSS knowledge, but allows for unlimited customization possibilities.
Discord’s appearance options have come a long way, offering users multiple ways to personalize their chat experience. Whether you stick with the built-in themes or dive into custom CSS, there’s a customization method to suit every preference and skill level.