---
title: "Customize Your Theme"
source: "https://docs.nexcess.com/software/learndash/academy/customize-your-theme/"
description: "[wp101 video=\"customize-theme\"] In this video, the instructor demonstrates how to use the WordPress Customizer to change the design and appearance of your site…"
vertical: "Software"
area: "Academy"
topics: ["Customizing", "General WordPress", "Getting Started", "How To", "WordPress 101"]
date: "2023-02-22"
last_modified: "2023-02-22"
---

# Customize Your Theme

\[wp101 video=”customize-theme”\]

In this video, the instructor demonstrates how to use the **WordPress Customizer** to change the design and appearance of your site in real time.

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#### **1. Themes and the Customizer**

- **Themes** control your site’s layout, colors, and typography.
- Thousands of free and premium themes are available for all site types (blogs, business sites, e-commerce).
- The demo site uses the **Twenty Twenty theme**.
- The **Customizer** lets you adjust site appearance with a **live preview** before publishing changes.

---

#### **2. Switching Themes**

- At the top of the Customizer, you’ll see the **active theme**.
- Click **Change** to: 
    - Preview other installed themes
    - Browse the WordPress.org theme directory
    - Filter by subject, features, or layout
- You can preview your content in a new theme and activate it with one click.

---

#### **3. Common Customizer Options (Theme-Dependent)**

1. **Site Identity**
    - Upload a **logo** or display the site title as text.
    - Add a **tagline**.
    - Enable **Retina logo** for sharper display on high-res screens.
    - Add a **site icon** (favicon) for browser tabs and bookmarks.
2. **Colors**
    - Adjust **background color** for the header, footer, or entire site.
    - Change the **primary color** (used for buttons and links).
    - WordPress automatically ensures color contrast for accessibility.
3. **Theme Options**
    - Show/hide search link in the header.
    - Show/hide author bio on posts.
    - Choose to display **full text** or **summaries** on archive pages.
4. **Cover Template (specific to Twenty Twenty)**
    - Display the page/post title over a **full-width featured image**.
    - Choose **parallax effect** (fixed image background) or scrolling background.
    - Customize overlay color, text color, and overlay opacity.
5. **Background Image**
    - Add an image behind site content.
    - Choose display options: fill, fit, repeat, or custom placement and scrolling.
6. **Navigation Menus & Widgets**
    - Manage menus and widgets (covered in earlier videos).
7. **Homepage Settings**
    - Set a **static homepage** or display latest blog posts.
8. **Additional CSS**
    - Add custom CSS to override theme styles.
    - Example: italicize tagline and reduce opacity.

---

#### **4. Previewing and Publishing Changes**

- Preview your site on **desktop, tablet, and mobile**.
- Hide the controls to see full-width preview.
- Save options: 
    - **Publish immediately**
    - Save as **draft**
    - **Schedule** changes for later
    - **Discard** changes

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### **Key Takeaway:**

The **Customizer** is your control center for personalizing your WordPress site. From changing themes, logos, and colors to adding CSS for advanced tweaks, it gives you a real-time preview so you can confidently design a site that matches your brand and style.