Varia: change background to an image?

  • Unknown's avatar
    ih8t · Member ·

    I am a WordPress free user. I’d like to know how to change the blog background to an image, since it only allows me to change between colors right now. I don’t have access to CSS.

    The blog I need help with is: (visible only to logged in users)

  • aleone89 · Staff ·

    Hello there,

    It’s not possible to apply a background image with this particular theme. With this particular theme, you would need CSS to do that site wide.

    Would you be willing to tell me more about the site and design you’re looking to achieve?

    Perhaps I can offer some suggestions and offer some guidance on how best to build the site.

  • Unknown's avatar
    ih8t · Member ·

    I am unable to use CSS, since I am a free user. Is there any way I can translate the Varia fonts/blog style to other templates? I’ve found that since Varia is a basic template intended to be customized, it’s a bit limiting for a free user.

  • aleone89 · Staff ·

    Hello there,

    So Varia, is one of the parent themes, for other themes (Maywood, Blockbase, Balasana…etc) – which tend to have a few more features.

    What design are you looking to have or emulate? Perhaps I make some suggestions as how best to build that.

    Many thanks.

  • Unknown's avatar
    ih8t · Member ·

    Hi,

    I’m looking to keep the default Varia design (fonts, layout), but there are some areas I wish were more customizable. For example, being able to change the background to a picture instead of just a color; or being able to add Headers and widgets in other areas of the site (it seems widgets are only available as Footers?). Also, and this is just lack of skill on my part, I’m not sure how to increase the text size of bodies, headings, captions, etc.

    Appreciate it.

  • staff-95percentghost · Staff ·

    Varia doesn’t really have a way to add a background image, and like many themes it specifically offers a footer widget area only. It’s actually intended as a foundation for a few of the other themes mentioned by aleone.

    What I could possibly suggest instead would be a theme that’s compatible with the Site Editor instead; since the Site Editor has more flexibility in terms of adjusting the layout:
    https://en.support.wordpress.com/site-editor/

    For example, Blank Canvas could be useful for you:
    https://wordpress.com/theme/blank-canvas-3/ih4tetheinternet.wordpress.com

    Site Editor-compatible themes don’t have widget areas as such, but you can create your own, by editing the templates and optionally using template parts:

    It’s worth noting that these themes generally also do not have a background image option – that’s hopefully something which will come in a future update to the Site Editor. One workaround I’ve used before is to insert a Cover block into the various templates in the Site Editor, and ensure that the image I use for it works as a repeating pattern. Then everything that you want to appear within the templates can be inserted within within the Cover block, so that your content appears placed on the background image. For example, for a minimal page, you could insert the Post Title and Content blocks (function for both pages and posts) and possibly also your Navigation block. Here are a few guides that may be relevant:

    It isn’t necessarily the most effective workaround, but between Blank Canvas and the greater flexibility afforded by the Site Editor, it should get closer to what you’re looking to achieve. In order to demonstrate, I recorded a silent video where you can see the general effect of this. It uses the theme Twenty Twenty-Three, but it gives a general idea of how to choose a template to edit in the Site Editor, add and customize a Cover block, and the result:

    Click here to open the video in a new tab

  • Unknown's avatar
    ih8t · Member ·

    This is very helpful, and thorough, thank you! Just to confirm, I have access to all of these features as a free member?

  • supernovia · Staff ·

    Hi @ih8t yes, those features mentioned are currently available on free sites. “Global Styles” require a specific upgrade currently, so to keep the site free, I’d recommend choosing a theme that’s close to the style you want in terms of fonts and colors, but layouts are really quite flexible even on Free. What do you have in mind?

    Alternatively, if you do want Global Styles, they’re available here:

  • Unknown's avatar
    ih8t · Member ·

    Bit of an unrelated question, but with Varia am I able to change the standard font size? I’m currently struggling to change the size of image captions.

    Thanks

  • staff-doublebassd · Staff ·

    Hi there,

    Changing the font size of a caption requires CSS which is also a feature that comes with the Premium Plan.

    In general, you can change font size from the Typography module under any text block (i.e., the Paragraph Block). You have small, medium, large, and XL options, or you can click the button at the top right to choose a custom size.

    For more information, please visit:

    WP
    Change Your Site’s Fonts
    in WordPress.com Support
    7 min read
    Choosing a font is a great way to add a unique look to your site. Each theme has a curated list of fonts you can choose, including Google Fonts. To change your fonts, you will use a different option that depends on which theme you are using: If you are using a theme that supports the Site Editor (i.e. you can see Appearance → Editor in your dashboard), you can change your site’s fonts using

    Hope this helps!

  • Unknown's avatar
    ih8t · Member ·

    Thanks!

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