How to Change the Background Color of a Dropdown Menu in Squarespace

If you’ve ever wanted to change the background color of a dropdown menu in your header navigation, you might have noticed that Squarespace’s built-in tools don’t always give you the control you need. While you can adjust colors using Site Styles, getting that perfect look often requires a bit of custom CSS.

In this tutorial, I’ll walk you through how to use CSS to customize the background color of your dropdown menu.

Watch the video

Check out the YouTube video below. 👇🏼

Why Customize Your Dropdown Menu?

Customizing your dropdown menu background can:

• Enhance branding: Align menu colors with your website’s theme.

• Improve readability: Ensure the text is easy to read by using a contrasting background color.

• Add personality: Make your menu stand out with unique color choices.

Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Dropdown Menu Background Colors

Step 1: Access the Custom CSS Editor

1. Log in to your Squarespace dashboard.

2. Navigate to the Custom CSS editor. Here are three ways to get there:

   • Under Website, go to Pages > Website Tools > Custom CSS.

   • Use the Search Bar by clicking the magnifying glass. Type “CSS” and select the Custom CSS editor.

   • Use the Search Bar by hitting the forward-slash “/” on your keyboard(same key as the question mark). Type “CSS” and select the Custom CSS editor.

Step 2: Add the CSS Code

Once you’re in the Custom CSS editor, paste the following code:

.header-nav-folder-content {

background-color: #FACF9F !important;

}

This code targets the dropdown menu and changes its background color to the color of the hex code that you have entered. For example:

• Yellow: #FACF9F

• Black: #000000

• White: #FFFFFF

Squarespace will immediately display your changes in the live preview.

Step 3: Adjust Colors for Readability

If the new background color makes the menu text hard to read (e.g., black text on a dark background), you’ll need to adjust the text color by changing the hex code. This ensures that your menu text contrasts well with the background color.

Example: Matching Menu Colors with Branding

For my demo site, I used a vibrant yellow background (#FFD700) that matches the branding in the hero section. This simple change creates a cohesive look across the entire website. You can experiment with different hex codes to find the color that works best for your brand.

Pro Tips for Dropdown Menu Customization

1. Use a Color Picker Tool: Tools like Coolors or your browser’s developer tools can help you find the exact hex code for any color.

2. Backup Your CSS Code: Save your custom CSS in a separate document to keep a record of changes.

Wrapping Up

Changing the background color of a dropdown menu in Squarespace is a simple way to enhance your website’s design and functionality. With just a few lines of CSS, you can take control of your site’s appearance and create a menu that perfectly complements your brand.

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Your Designer

I'm Bryan, a Squarespace web designer and founder of Abound Web Design. I have worked with all types of businesses and organizations from preschools to publishing companies to chiropractic clinics and everything in between. If you want to discuss a potential project, you can email me at bryan@aboundwebdesign or get in touch with me here. Alternatively, you can book in a free 15-minute consultation call here.