How to Customize Your Blogger Theme (Theme Designer Guide 2026)
In March 2010 Blogger launched the Template Designer, letting bloggers move beyond the same old templates with one-click layouts and backgrounds. We used it to restyle the QOT status blog. Today it’s simply called Theme in Blogger, and it’s still the easiest way to customize your Blogger theme without touching code. Here’s how.
Quick answer: In Blogger, open your blog and go to Theme. Pick a modern responsive theme (Contempo, Soho, Emporio, Notable or Essential), then click Customize to change the background, colours, fonts and layout width. Use Layout to add or move gadgets. Back up the theme before using Edit HTML.
Table of Contents
Step 1: Choose a theme
Go to Theme and browse the theme families. Contempo, Soho, Emporio, Notable and Essential are mobile-friendly. Click a design to preview, then Apply.
Step 2: Customize the look
- On the Theme page, click Customize.
- Change the Background image or main colour theme.
- Adjust Advanced settings: fonts, text colours, link colours and accents.
- Set the layout width and sidebar width.
- Click Save when you’re happy with the preview.
Step 3: Arrange gadgets in Layout
Open Layout to add gadgets like popular posts, labels, search, follow by email alternatives and HTML/JavaScript boxes. Drag them to reorder.
Step 4: Edit HTML (advanced)
- Theme > the arrow next to Customize > Backup to download your theme first.
- Then choose Edit HTML to change the theme code or add CSS.
- For small style changes, add CSS under Customize > Advanced > Add CSS instead.
Tips
- Check the mobile view; the modern themes are responsive by default.
- Third-party Blogger themes can contain hidden links or scripts; download only from trusted designers.
- Pair a fresh design with your own custom domain.
- Keep regular backups of your Blogger blog, including the theme.
FAQ
What happened to Blogger Template Designer?
It became the Theme section with its Customize option.
Can I upload my own Blogger theme?
Yes, use Theme > Restore to upload an XML theme file.
Will changing my Blogger theme delete posts?
No. Posts stay, but some gadgets may need to be added again.
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I added the template designer and i dont want it on there anymore. How do i take it off?
This tip is wonderful. Now I can still continue using blogger rather than migrating to wordpress. Blogger is cool and user-friendly any day.
That looks like a neat and very necessary tool, as I have always thought that templates was one area where Blogger kind of lagged behind wordpress.