How to Change Background Color in Elementor

Customizing the background color in Elementor allows you to create a visually appealing design for your WordPress website. Whether you're editing a section, column, or widget, Elementor provides intuitive controls for background styling. This guide will walk you through each type of background color adjustment step by step.

Change Section Background Color in Elementor

To change the background color of a section, follow these steps inside the Elementor editor:

1. Click on the section handle (six-dot icon) to select the section you want to style.
2. In the left panel, go to the Style tab where all visual customization options are available.
3. Under Background, choose Classic as the background type. This allows solid colors, images, or gradients.
4. Click the color picker, then select or input your preferred background color code.

You can also use the Gradient option if you want a two-tone background effect.

Set Background for Columns in Elementor

Elementor lets you apply background colors to columns independently of their parent sections. This is helpful when you want different visual blocks within the same section.

1. Select the column by clicking on the column handle (gray icon above the widget area).
2. Navigate to the Style tab in the left settings panel.
3. Choose a background type such as Classic, Gradient, or even Video (in rare cases).
4. Pick your color, adjust opacity, or layer with overlays as needed.

Column backgrounds can be especially useful for creating visually distinct content areas or call-to-action blocks.

Change Widget Background Color in Elementor

For fine-tuned design, you might want to change the background color of individual widgets such as buttons, text boxes, or icons. This can help in drawing attention to specific content areas.

1. Click the widget you want to edit.
2. Go to the Advanced tab in the left-side panel.
3. Expand the Background section under the Advanced tab.
4. Select the color and opacity level. You can also set hover background colors for interactive effects.

Widgets also support responsive background settings, allowing you to fine-tune colors for desktop, tablet, and mobile devices.

Customize Background in Elementor Editor

Elementor provides advanced options for background customization beyond simple colors. These are found in the Style tab for sections, columns, and widgets.

• Gradient backgrounds: Blend two colors with directional and location control. Great for dynamic designs.
• Image backgrounds: Upload custom images with positioning, attachment, and overlay options.
• Video backgrounds: Use YouTube links or MP4 files to add moving backgrounds to sections (not available for columns or widgets).
• Overlay settings: Add semi-transparent color layers over images or videos for better readability and style.

These options can be combined for layered background effects that enhance user experience and visual storytelling.

Elementor Background Color Not Working?

If your background changes aren't displaying correctly, here are some common reasons and how to fix them:

• Theme settings: Some WordPress themes override Elementor styles. Try switching to a compatible theme like Hello Elementor.
• Z-index issues: Check if another element is placed above your background. Adjust z-index under the Advanced tab.
• Opacity problems: Ensure that your color picker has full opacity. Even a slight transparency can make the color appear missing.
• Caching conflicts: Clear browser cache and any plugin cache like WP Super Cache or W3 Total Cache.

WordPress Elementor Design Tips

Use these design strategies when working with background colors to improve both aesthetics and usability:

• Stick to a defined color palette for brand consistency across pages.
• Use high-contrast combinations for better readability (e.g., dark text on a light background).
• Use overlays on image or video backgrounds to ensure text remains visible.
• Always check how your background appears on tablets and mobile devices using Elementor’s responsive mode.
• Consider using background colors to highlight key actions, such as contact forms or CTA sections.

Useful Links

Section Overview: How to Style Your Sections – Learn how to style sections in Elementor, including background color, gradients, and overlays.

Column Overview: Possible Styling Options – Discover how to style columns in Elementor, including background customization and layout settings.

Style Tab – Background – Detailed guide on using the Style tab to set background colors, gradients, and images in Elementor.

Create a Background – Step-by-step instructions on creating various background types in Elementor, including classic, gradient, video, and slideshow.

Custom CSS in Elementor – Learn how to apply custom CSS to elements in Elementor for advanced background styling.

Enhance Your Elementor with Powerful Widgets!

Elfsight created dozens of useful widgets to make your website more attractive and boost its performance in so many ways. Try these no-code solutions for free on Elementor!

Conclusion

Now you know how to change background color in WordPress Elementor — from sections and columns to individual widgets. Elementor offers flexible and easy-to-use background styling tools that enhance your website’s visual impact. With a mix of color, gradient, image, and video options, you can create unique designs that reflect your brand. Always preview your changes on all devices and use Elementor's design tips to maintain a professional look throughout your website.