MODULE ONE: LESSON ONE
creating your color palette
Before you start customizing your website, one of the most exciting steps is picking your color palette. Your colors will shape how readers feel when they visit your site. they’re a big part of your author brand’s personality.
In this lesson, you’ll learn why color matters and how to find a palette that fits your style and stories perfectly. Plus, I’ll share some of my favorite tools and tips to make choosing colors easy and fun!
Love Your Template’s Colors?
Remember, you don’t have to change a thing! You can always keep the original color palette that came with your template. it was thoughtfully designed to match your genre and create a beautiful, cohesive vibe right out of the box.
why color matters:
Colors are one of the first things visitors notice about your site. they set the mood and help readers connect with your author brand right away. The right colors can feel romantic, mysterious, playful, or elegant, depending on your style and stories.
Choosing a consistent color palette keeps your website looking polished and professional, and helps your readers instantly recognize your brand.
HOW TO FIND YOUR PERFECT COLOR PALETTE
Pinterest is an amazing place to start. Try searching for phrases like:
“dark romance color palette”
“fantasy color palette”
“romantic comedy colors”
“vintage romance palette”
You'll find tons of ready-made palettes and inspiration boards. Save the ones that catch your eye!
other places to explore color palettes
Coolors.co — generate palettes from one color or upload an image
Adobe Color — explore trending palettes and create your own
design seeds — curated palettes based on beautiful photos
PICKING YOUR COLORS
Pick 1–2 main colors that will dominate your site
Choose 1–2 accent colors for buttons, links, or highlights
Add 1 neutral color (like a soft gray or beige) for backgrounds and text
we will work on inputting your chosen colors into your squarespace design styles in module two.
What is a Hex Code (and Why You Need It)?
When you’re customizing your website colors, you’ll need more than just “blue” or “pink”. you’ll need the exact color code, called a hex code.
A hex code is a six-digit code that represents a specific color on the web. it always starts with a #, like:
#EFC8CF → a soft blush pink
#1F2A44 → a deep navy
#F5F5F5 → a light, airy gray
Using hex codes ensures your colors are consistent across your entire site, from buttons to text to backgrounds.
How to Grab Hex Codes from Pinterest Color Palettes
If you find a color palette on Pinterest that you love, here’s how to extract the hex codes so you can use them in Squarespace or Canva:
Save or Screenshot the Color Palette.
If you’re on Pinterest, save the pin or take a screenshot of the palette you like.
Use a Color Picker Tool.
Visit a free online tool like:
Or use a browser extension like ColorZilla.
Upload Your Palette Image.
Upload your screenshot to the tool.
Click on the colors in the image. the tool will give you the hex code for each color you click.
Save Your Hex Codes.
Write them down and save for when we are ready to input them directly into your website settings.
I recommend creating a brand board in Canva or a simple doc to keep track of your hex codes for:
Primary brand colors
Accent colors
Background colors
Text colors
ACTION STEPS
Find Inspiration. Search Pinterest or Coolors for palettes that match your genre.
Pick Your Colors. Choose 1–2 main colors, 1–2 accents, and a neutral.
Grab Hex Codes. Use a color picker tool like Canva or ColorZilla to get the hex codes.
Save Your Palette. Keep your codes in a brand board or doc for easy access.
Decide to Keep or Customize. Stick with your template colors or use your custom palette.
Have your hex codes ready. we’ll add them in Module Two!
