Customize Ubuntu Desktop Themes Easily

Ubuntu desktop themes change how your computer looks, letting you pick new colors, icons, and window styles.

A desktop theme is a collection of visual parts like fonts, colors, icons, and window borders that create a unified look for your operating system.

For instance, Ubuntu 22.04 LTS allows you to switch between light and dark themes right in the settings, and a high-contrast option helps improve visibility.

Even though recent Ubuntu versions might not come with as many pre-installed themes as older ones, you can still use the ones that are included or add new ones to make your Ubuntu desktop truly your own.

How to switch themes in Ubuntu Linux

Switching themes in Ubuntu Linux is done through the System Settings to alter your desktop’s look, including colors and icon styles. This approach lets you adjust the appearance of your Ubuntu desktop themes without needing extra software, even though Ubuntu doesn’t come with many pre-installed themes.

Even though Ubuntu Linux doesn’t offer packaged themes by default, you can still customize colors and styles using the System Settings panel.

Below is how to change the theme and style in Ubuntu Linux.

Ubuntu Linux centralizes most settings in the System Settings panel. This is where you can manage system configurations, create new users, and update software.

Alternatively, access settings by clicking the System menu in the top-right corner of your desktop’s top bar, then select Settings.

From the System menu, pick Settings. (It’s highlighted in the image below.)

Click the Appearance tile to open its specific panel within the Settings app.

In the System > Appearance settings pane, choose a new color for various interface elements.

Selecting a color instantly applies the chosen color to desktop objects and styles. For instance, selecting blue will change all buttons and window borders to blue, though the mouse cursor and background remain unaffected.

The mouse cursor and background are not changed when you change the style color.

For more advanced changes, such as adjusting your mouse cursor color or window styles, GNOME Tweaks is the ideal tool.

To do that, use the steps below:

Press Ctrl+Alt+T on your keyboard to open the terminal. Then, enter the following commands to install GNOME Tweaks.

sudo apt install gnome-tweaks

Once installed, head to the Activities overview and search for ‘Tweaks’.

Inside the app, under the Appearance section, you can select the changes you want to make to your desktop’s look and feel.

After downloading a theme, extract the theme files and copy the theme folder to the `/usr/share/themes/` directory to apply the theme across all user accounts on your Ubuntu desktop.

/usr/share/themes

You’ll need to open Nautilus, the file manager, with administrator privileges to copy the theme into that location.

And that’s it!

Conclusion:

• Personalizing your desktop theme and style in Ubuntu Linux allows you to create a unique computing experience tailored to your preferences.
• Although Ubuntu Linux doesn’t offer packaged desktop themes by default, you can easily customize colors and styles through the System Settings panel.
• In addition to changing the color and style, GNOME Tweaks provides further options for modifying your desktop’s appearance, including cursor color and window styles.
• ⬇️ Downloading GTK3/4 Themes from external sources and integrating them with your system allows for even more diverse customization possibilities.
• By following these steps, you can transform the look and feel of your Ubuntu Linux desktop to suit your taste and needs.