Trello: How to Change Background Image?

If you want to personalize your Trello board or make it more visually appealing, changing the background is a great first step. Trello allows you to select from a variety of colors and images to customize your workspace. This guide will walk you through the simple process of changing your Trello board background, no matter your experience level.

Open Your Trello Board: Log into your Trello account and select the board you want to customize. You can find your boards on the home page or within your workspace list.
Access the Board Menu: On your board, click on the menu button on the right side of the screen, usually labeled as “Show Menu” or represented by three dots.
Choose the ‘Change Background’ Option: In the menu, click on “Change Background.” If you don’t see this option immediately, click on “More” to expand additional settings where the background option will appear.
Select Your Preferred Background: Trello offers several options:
- Colors: Pick a solid color background for a clean look.
- Photos: Choose from a collection of images provided by Trello.
- Upload Custom Image: Upload your own picture by clicking on “Custom” and selecting an image from your device.
Preview and Apply: After selecting a background, Trello will automatically preview the change. If satisfied, click outside the menu to save it. To choose something else, repeat the previous steps.

Changing your Trello background is quick and easy, making your workspace more personal and enjoyable. Remember, you can always change it again whenever you wish to refresh your board’s look. Experiment with different colors and images to find what suits you best. Keep in mind that some custom images might take a moment to load, especially on slower internet connections. If you encounter issues, try refreshing the page or clearing your browser cache. With these simple steps, you’re all set to customize your Trello experience effortlessly.

Top Tips for Customizing Trello Backgrounds

Customizing Trello backgrounds is an excellent way to personalize your boards, enhance their visual appeal, and even improve usability. Whether you want to add a vibrant image, a soothing color, or a custom photo, customizing backgrounds helps create a workspace that matches your style. Here are easy tips and best practices to help you customize Trello backgrounds effectively:

Choose the Right Background Type

Trello allows setting either a solid color or an image as your background. Consider your board’s purpose and your personal preferences. Bright colors can energize productivity, while subtle shades reduce distractions. Images are ideal for inspiring designs or thematic boards.
Select High-Quality Images

For photo backgrounds, use high-resolution images to avoid pixelation. Free sources like Unsplash or Pexels provide beautiful, royalty-free images. Opt for simple or softly blurred images to ensure readability of task lists and card titles.
Use Consistent Color Themes

If opting for solid colors, choose shades that complement your workflow. Consistent color themes can improve focus and differentiation between lists. Avoid overly bright or clashing tones for a calming and effective workspace.
Upload Custom Images or Photos

Click “Show Menu” > “Change Background” > “Upload Custom Image” to add your own images. Select photos that are relevant, inspiring, and not too busy to maintain clarity. Keep image file sizes reasonable for quick loading.
Adjust Brightness and Contrast

Some images may benefit from tweaking brightness and contrast using photo editing tools before uploading. This helps prevent backgrounds from overpowering text and improves overall readability.
Use Multiple Boards with Different Backgrounds

Assign different backgrounds to various boards to help with organization and quick identification. For instance, use green for ongoing projects and blue for completed tasks.
Avoid Overly Distracting Backgrounds

While personalization is fun, steer clear of backgrounds that are too busy or bright. Subtle patterns or lightly blurred images enhance user experience without overwhelming content.
Refresh Your Backgrounds Periodically

Changing images regularly keeps your workspace lively and motivating. Swap backgrounds seasonally or when you want a fresh feel.

Remember, customizing your Trello backgrounds is simple yet impactful. Experiment with different styles and find what enhances your productivity and aesthetic preferences. Following these tips allows you to create an engaging and efficient workspace.

Best Background Images for Trello Boards

Choosing the right background images for your Trello boards can make your workspace more visually appealing and help with organization. The best backgrounds complement your workflow without creating distractions. Here’s an overview of recommended backgrounds, sources to find them, and tips for selecting suitable visuals:

Use Trello’s Built-in Backgrounds: Trello offers several default background images within the app. To set one, click the board menu, select “Change Background,” and browse available options.
Choose Custom Images from Your Device: Upload your own images by clicking “Change Background” > “Upload from Computer.” Select high-quality images relevant to your style. Avoid overly busy visuals that may reduce readability.
Sources for High-Quality Backgrounds: Sites like Unsplash, Pexels, and Pixabay offer free, high-resolution images ideal for backgrounds. Search with themes like nature, minimalism, or abstract art to find suitable visuals.
Considerations for Choosing the Right Image: Focus on:
- Resolution: Select high-quality images that aren’t too large, to prevent slow loading.
- Color scheme: Opt for subtle colors to enhance readability.
- Subject matter: Choose calm, simple visuals that don’t distract from tasks.
Tips for Enhancing Readability: Use softer, muted backgrounds, consider semi-transparent overlays to increase contrast, and keep a consistent style across boards.
Examples of Effective Backgrounds: Minimalist patterns, pastel images, or subtle textures like blurred cityscapes or watercolor washes work well without distraction.
Common Mistakes to Avoid: Steer clear of overly busy, bright, or dark images that clash with card colors, making your board harder to navigate.

Source	Type of Image	Notes
Unsplash	Free, high-res photos	Good variety, themed search options
Pexels	Free stock images	Ideal for backgrounds, minimal distractions
Pixabay	Free images and illustrations	Various styles, easy browsing

How to Use Your Own Photos as Backgrounds

Adding your own photos to Trello boards allows for maximum personalization. Follow these simple steps to upload custom images and give your workspace a unique look:

Open your Trello board on your computer or mobile device and ensure you’re logged in.
Click “Show Menu” in the top right, then select “More” from the options.
In the menu, click “Change Background.” You will see default options along with the ability to upload your own.
Look for “Custom” or “Upload Photo” options and click.
In the file explorer window, navigate to your desired image, in formats like JPEG, PNG, or GIF.
Choose the image, then click “Open” or “Upload” to set it as your background. Larger images may take longer to upload.
Once uploaded, the image will automatically be applied as your board background. You can repeat the process to change it again.

TIP: Select images that are not too busy or cluttered to ensure your content remains clear and readable. Light, simple images generally work best. If you experience upload issues, check your file size and format, clear your browser cache, or try a different browser. Remember to save any changes, and your custom background will be set, giving your Trello board a personalized touch.

Design Ideas to Make Your Trello Board Stand Out

Creating a visually appealing Trello board can boost your team’s engagement and productivity. Here are practical design ideas and tips to make your workspace both attractive and organized:

Use Custom Backgrounds: Change the board background using images, colors, or patterns. Upload your own for a truly unique look or select from Trello’s defaults. Consider themes that align with your project vibe, like calming landscapes for relaxation or vibrant colors for energy.
Add Cover Images to Cards: Make cards visually distinct by adding cover images. Click on a card, then select “Add Cover,” and choose from uploaded images, Unsplash photos, or colors. Covers help quickly identify task types and priorities.
Organize with Labels and Colors: Use labels to categorize cards and assign colors to groups. Create custom labels for stages or priority levels. Bright colors for urgent tasks, green for completed, etc., improve visual clarity and workflow.
Implement Custom Themes Using Power-Ups: Enhance aesthetics with Trello Power-Ups that add icons, visual markers, or change style elements. Explore options like “Custom Fields” or third-party integrations to tailor the design further.
Utilize Stickers and Emojis: Add emojis to card titles and descriptions for quick mood or priority indicators. Use stickers or emoji codes to bring color and personality to your board, making it more engaging.

Remember, the goal is to create a functional, attractive workspace. Keep clutter minimal, apply consistent themes across boards, and have fun experimenting. Well-designed boards can facilitate better organization and teamwork.

Common Problems When Changing Trello Backgrounds

Many users encounter issues when customizing backgrounds on Trello. Common problems include backgrounds not changing, appearing blurry, or disappearing. Here are troubleshooting tips for typical issues:

1. Background Not Changing at All

Ensure your browser or Trello app is up to date.
Click “Change Background” in the menu, select a different option or upload a new image.
If nothing happens, refresh the page or restart the app.
Clear your browser cache if the problem persists.

2. Image Quality Looks Poor or Blurry

Use high-resolution images, at least 1920×1080 pixels.
Avoid low-quality or heavily compressed images.
Try uploading a different, clearer image.
Ensure the image format is supported (JPEG, PNG).

3. Background Disappears or Turns White

Reload the page or restart the app.
Check your internet connection stability.
Disable browser extensions that might block or alter page styling.
Make sure custom image links are valid and accessible.

4. Custom Backgrounds Not Saving

Confirm you have permission to change backgrounds if in a team or organization.
Upload images directly from your device rather than link-based images.
Clear cache and cookies regularly.
Try using a different browser or device.

5. Known Limitations and Tips

Be aware of device or browser limitations; check Trello’s support for updates.
Keep your software current.
Reach out to Trello support if issues persist, providing your device and browser details.

By troubleshooting these common problems, you’ll enjoy a more personalized and visually appealing Trello experience. Always use high-quality images and keep your software up to date for optimal results.

FAQs About Trello Background Customization

If you’re looking to personalize your Trello workspace, changing the background can significantly enhance your boards. Here are answers to common questions:

Can I change the background on the free Trello plan?

Yes. Background changes are available to all Trello users, including free plan members. You can select from Trello’s default backgrounds or upload your own images if you have a paid plan like Business Class or Enterprise. Free users are limited to the free gallery of backgrounds.

How do I change the background color or image on Trello?

Open your Trello board.
Click “Show Menu” on the right side.
Select “Change Background.”
Pick a color or an image from the options. You can upload your own photo if your plan supports it.
Click your choice to apply it immediately.

Options differ depending on your Trello subscription. Custom images typically require a paid plan.

Can I upload my own images as backgrounds?

Yes. Paid plans like Trello Business Class or Enterprise allow uploading images via “Change Background” > “Upload from Computer.” Use high-quality, relevant images for best results and to ensure quick loading.

What if the background doesn’t save or appear?

Try refreshing the browser.
Clear cache and cookies.
Ensure a stable internet connection.
Disable extensions that might interfere.
Attempt from a different browser or device.

If issues continue, contact Trello support with your device and browser details.

Are there limitations to background customization?

Yes. File size limits (around 10 MB), plan restrictions, and content guidelines apply. Also, backgrounds may load slowly on some devices or internet connections.

Can I revert to the default background?

Yes. Use “Change Background” and select the default solid color or choose “Reset Background” if available.