Best Color for Laptop Backgrounds - Full Guide
By Connor
Published April 12, 2023
Best Color for Laptop Backgrounds - Full Guide
Inside This Article
With so many color options to choose from, it can be hard to decide on the perfect laptop background. But picking out a good color isn't just about aesthetics: selecting an appropriate background color also helps protect your eye health and comfort levels! Read this guide for important tips on what colors work best with laptops (and desktops) - plus their pros and cons - so that you can make informed decisions when choosing yours.
A dark background is one of the best colors to use for your laptop or computer screen. The same can be said for your mobile phones, and you can read all about it in our guide here: The Color of Your Wallpaper May Affect Your Battery Life.
Key Takeaways
- To reduce strain on the eyes, many opt for a classic contrast combination of dark and light colors: like white text against a dark background or dark text popping out from a white background.
- Black, white, grey, and blue are some of the best colors for your laptop and desktop backgrounds.
- You can change the background color and adjust the blue light on your laptop or computer screen through your device's Settings.
The Impact of Computer Wallpaper Color on Your Daily Use
Before we dive into the different color options, it's important to understand certain factors of colored wallpapers and how it affects our day-to-day usage of a laptop or computer.
Choosing a colored wallpaper is usually based on the users' style, and more often than not, based on its purpose; whether for personal or business use. But regardless of whatever use you may have for them, it can often affect productivity, especially if you're the kind of user that's on a laptop for eight hours a day.
Blue Light and Eye Strain
Blue light is a type of high-energy visible (HEV) light that is emitted by computer screens, smartphones, and other electronic devices. It can cause eye strain, headaches, and disrupted sleep patterns, especially when we spend long hours in front of our screens.
Taking care of your eyes is essential to a healthy lifestyle. Bright lights and blue light from screens can be especially damaging, but there are simple steps you can take. Using glasses or filters with special lenses that block out harsh rays will keep them safe - however, if the right accessories aren't available, adjusting settings on laptops or computers could also help prevent eye strain.
Here's how you can do it on the following operating systems:
On Windows:
- Open the Settings app.
- Click on System.
- Select Display.
- Scroll down to the Night light settings section.
- Toggle the switch to turn on Night light.
- Note: With the Color temperature at night slider, you can find your perfect lighting ambiance - from bright and sunny to a warm, inviting glow.
On Mac:
- Click on the Apple menu in the top left corner of your screen.
- Select System Preferences.
- Click on Displays.
- Select the Night Shift tab.
- Note: From here, you can turn on Night Shift and adjust the color temperature to your preference using the Color Temperature slider.
Color Contrast and Text Legibility
When selecting the perfect background color for your laptop, contrast is key! With a high-contrast backdrop and text/images on screen, you'll be able to read more easily without hurting your eyes. But with low contrast comes reduced focus and frustrating eye strain - something nobody wants. Make sure those colors clash in all the right ways so that you can work better than ever before!
To ensure optimal text legibility, it's recommended to use a high-contrast color scheme, such as black text on a white backdrop or white text on a dark backdrop. Avoid using low-contrast color combinations, such as grey text on a light grey wallpaper or yellow text on a white backdrop.
Dark Backgrounds vs. Light Backgrounds
Now that we've covered the basics of colored wallpapers' impact, let's dive into the two most popular color options for your laptop or desktop backgrounds. Each option will have its benefits and drawbacks.
Dark Backdrops
Dark desktop background wallpapers, such as black and dark grey, offer a sleek modern look for your computer. But be warned: when used in a dark room or with a bright light shining on the computer screen, these high-contrast backgrounds can lead to eye strain and fatigue due to their intense nature.
Light Backdrops
Light laptop wallpapers are popular for their sleek design as well as being less strenuous on the eyes. Though they look great and provide a sophisticated minimalistic vibe, glare can be problematic when staring at high-contrast images or reading text.
Choosing the Right Laptop and Desktop Backgrounds
There are several types of wallpapers you should try to consider before you move on to choosing a solid background. After all: why settle for a generic background on your device? With so many wallpaper options you can customize it to perfectly suit your needs. Not only will this look great but it could also help alleviate any eye strain or discomfort from long periods spent in front of screens.
Dark Wallpapers
For comfortable viewing at night, darker images are a must-have. Keeping brightness to a minimum and adorning your computer screen with gentle colors of black or navy can do wonders for eye strain relief! If you're feeling adventurous why not try something trendy like deep grey – perfect for late nights at work?
Light Wallpapers
If you are working in a room with more light, eight hours a day at that, a light background with dark text might be more suitable. White backgrounds are a popular option, but you can also try other light colors like pastels or light grey.
High Contrast Wallpapers
Boldly make your mark and add a dramatic effect to any space with captivating high-contrast backgrounds! Mixing shades of black and white or twilight blues paired with sunny yellows can create an arresting visual impression.
Subtle Color Schemes
If you're looking to make a subtle statement, try choosing tones and shades of the same color or complementary colors. For example, create an interesting contrast with blue and orange colors that will leave people appreciating your subdued flair!
Nature-Inspired Backgrounds
If you find yourself spending a lot of time on your computer, it can be refreshing to have a nature-inspired wallpaper. Try using images that have either soft or bright green or orange hues, or the ocean to create a calming atmosphere.
Best Colors for Laptop Backgrounds
But what if you really just want that solid color on your laptop or computer screen? Now that we've explored the types of laptop or desktop backgrounds you should try, let's dive into the best color options.
Black Background
Black backgrounds are stylish and modern. Though sometimes, they're not necessarily the perfect solution for everyone. While offering high contrast can reduce eye strain in a bright space, it may aggravate vision problems or cause fatigue when used long-term inside dimly lit rooms.
White Background
Popular for its timeless style, plain white wallpapers add a crisp and minimalistic feel to any interior. Its neutral hue can make it easier on the eyes in high-light areas but be wary of glare when trying to read or view highly contrasting images.
Gray Background
Gray wallpapers can provide a soothing and tranquil atmosphere, but may not be ideal for those with eye strain or digital fatigue. The high contrast creates an inviting aesthetic, yet the bright lights could potentially exacerbate symptoms of tired eyes - making it best to find alternative options suited specifically to one's needs.
Blue Background
For those who spend long hours in front of a laptop screen, blue wallpapers are an ideal choice. Its ability to reduce stress ensures that you can focus solely on your tasks without having any worries clouding over your head - plus it's easy on the eyes for those long hours of working!
How To Change Your Background Color
Maybe you're just not in the mood to download a wallpaper that's best for you. One of the simplest and most fun ways to revitalize your PC is by changing its background color. Just a few clicks can give it an entirely new look, so why not brighten up that desktop today? Here’s how:
On Windows:
- Click on the Start menu, then select Settings.
- Go to Personalization, then look for Color.
- Pick a color you want.
- Note: You can also tick the checkbox. This is so the OS can automatically color-pick an accent color from your current background.
On a Mac computer, the steps will differ slightly. However, it’s not too difficult to achieve. Here's how you can do it:
- Click on the Apple logo on your taskbar.
- Select System Preferences on the dropdown.
- Choose Desktop & Screen Saver.
- Click on the Desktop tab at the top. Choose Apple.
- Select Colors, then find a color you want.
- Note: You can also click the Custom Color button. This will allow you to pick your color from a color wheel.
The Bottom Line on Colors for Your Desktop and Laptop Wallpapers
Choosing a laptop background can be trickier than expected - even colors as seemingly simple as light vs. dark come with their own set of pros and cons. While darker backgrounds offer greater visual impact, they may lead to eyestrain in the long term; however, lighter shades create lower brightness but are prone to glare in certain lighting conditions.
Whether you choose bright or dark, keep your specific needs in mind as well as the amount of blue light emitted by different colors for optimal comfort and productivity when using digital devices!