Spencer Lanoue
Notion is a fantastic tool for organizing your thoughts, tasks, and projects. One of its standout features is the ability to customize its appearance, including switching to a darker theme, which can be easier on the eyes, especially in low-light environments. Let's walk through how you can enable and use Notion's night mode, making your workspace more comfortable and stylish.
Why Use Night Mode?
Before we get into how you can make Notion sport a darker look, it's worth considering why you might want to switch to night mode in the first place. Dark mode has gained popularity for a few compelling reasons:
- Reduced Eye Strain: Staring at bright screens can be taxing on your eyes, especially during nighttime or for prolonged periods. Night mode can help by providing a softer, less intense visual experience.
- Improved Focus: A less bright background can help the content you're working on stand out more, potentially improving your concentration.
- Battery Efficiency: On devices with OLED displays, using darker themes can save battery life because these screens use less power to display dark colors.
- Personal Preference: Some people simply prefer the aesthetics of a darker interface. It can give your workspace a sleek, modern look.
Now that you know why you might want to switch, let's see how you can do it.
Switching to Night Mode in Notion
Turning on night mode in Notion is straightforward. Here's how you can do it:
- Open Notion: Start by opening the Notion app on your device. This could be on your desktop or mobile device.
- Access Settings: Click on the "Settings & Members" option. This is often found by clicking on your workspace name at the top of the sidebar.
- Choose Appearance: Within the settings, look for the "Appearance" section. Here, you'll find options to switch between light and dark themes.
- Select Dark Mode: Simply select the "Dark" option. Your Notion workspace should immediately switch to a darker theme.
And that's all there is to it! Your Notion should now be in night mode, providing a darker, more comfortable viewing experience. But what if you want to automate this process or want to switch based on the time of day?
Automatically Switching Based on System Preferences
Many users like their apps to follow the system theme. If your device is set to switch between light and dark modes automatically, you might want Notion to do the same. Here's how you can set it up:
- System Sync: Go back to the "Appearance" section in Notion's settings.
- Select "Use System Setting": Instead of choosing "Light" or "Dark," select "Use System Setting."
Once you've done this, Notion will automatically match your system's theme. If your operating system switches to dark mode at sunset, Notion will follow suit, providing a seamless experience across all your apps.
Customizing to Your Preference
While Notion's built-in themes are great, you might want to go a step further with customization. Notion doesn't officially support custom themes, but there are some workarounds:
Using Browser Extensions
If you're using Notion in a web browser, extensions can help customize the look even further:
- Stylish or Stylus: These browser extensions allow you to inject custom CSS into websites, altering their appearance. You can find pre-made themes or even tweak them to suit your liking.
- Dark Reader: This extension can convert any website to dark mode. While it's not as customizable as Stylish, it's a quick way to ensure all your browsing, including Notion, is easier on your eyes.
Remember, using extensions can sometimes affect performance or cause unexpected behavior, so use them judiciously.
Spell for Integrated Writing
While we're discussing customization and enhancing productivity tools, it's worth mentioning Spell, an AI document editor that can streamline your writing process. Unlike juggling between Notion and another text editor, Spell integrates AI right into the document creation process, saving you time and effort. It's like having Google Docs with built-in AI to help you draft and refine your work seamlessly.
Tips for Working in Night Mode
Once you've switched to night mode, here are a few tips to make the most out of it:
- Adjust Screen Brightness: Even in night mode, a screen that's too bright can strain your eyes. Adjust the brightness to a comfortable level.
- Use Blue Light Filters: Many devices have built-in blue light filters. These can further reduce eye strain, especially if you're working late.
- Take Breaks: Regardless of the mode you're using, regular breaks are crucial. Follow the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
These small adjustments can make a big difference in your comfort and productivity.
Working with Notion Widgets
Did you know you can enhance your Notion pages with widgets that can also support night mode? Widgets can add functionality and flair to your workspace, and many of them come with themes to match your dark aesthetic.
- Adding Clocks and Calendars: There are widgets available that let you add clocks, calendars, and more to your Notion pages. Websites like Indify offer a variety of widgets that you can customize to fit your theme.
- Weather and Task Lists: You can add weather updates or task lists that sync with your existing tools, keeping you on top of your schedule without leaving Notion.
Integrating widgets into your Notion workspace can enhance both the functionality and the visual appeal.
Exploring Alternative Dark Mode Tools
If you're a fan of dark mode and want to apply it beyond Notion, several other tools can help you create a cohesive dark-themed workflow:
- Night Eye: This tool can convert any website into dark mode. It's a handy option if you frequently switch between apps and websites.
- OS-Level Dark Modes: Most modern operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Android, offer system-wide dark modes. Enabling this can ensure a consistent experience across all apps.
Using these tools in combination with Notion's night mode can create a comfortable digital environment, reducing eye strain and enhancing focus.
Collaborating with Others in Night Mode
One of Notion's strengths is its collaborative capabilities. Working with others in night mode can be just as smooth as in the regular setting. Here's how to make the most of it:
- Shared Workspaces: Ensure everyone has access to the night mode option. This keeps the interface consistent for all team members.
- Real-Time Updates: Collaborate in real time without worrying about disrupting each other's workflow. Notion's interface remains intuitive and responsive, even in night mode.
- Using Spell for Collaboration: If you're working on documents with a team, Spell offers real-time collaboration with AI-enhanced editing. This means you can draft, edit, and refine documents together, all within a dark-mode-friendly environment.
Collaboration doesn't have to be complicated, even with a customized setup like night mode.
Customizing Text and Background Colors
While Notion's night mode changes the overall appearance, you might want more control over specific text and background colors. Here's how you can tweak these:
- Use Color Coding: Notion allows you to highlight text with different colors. Use this feature to make important information stand out, even in night mode.
- Background Colors for Blocks: While Notion doesn't support changing the background colors for blocks natively, you can use external tools or browser extensions to achieve this.
These customizations can help you organize and prioritize information visually, even when working in a darker theme.
Staying Productive in Night Mode
Switching to night mode is just one part of maintaining productivity. Here are a few additional tips to keep your workflow smooth and effective:
- Organize Your Workspace: Keep your Notion pages tidy and structured. Use headings, bullet points, and tables to break up content and make it easier to digest.
- Utilize Templates: Notion offers a variety of templates for different use cases. Using templates can save you time and help you maintain consistency across your projects.
- Spell for Fast Document Creation: When creating documents, consider using Spell to generate drafts quickly. Its AI capabilities allow you to go from a blank page to a polished document in minutes, freeing up time for other tasks.
With a combination of night mode and these productivity strategies, you can make your Notion workspace both functional and comfortable.
Final Thoughts
Switching to Notion's night mode is more than just a visual change' it can enhance your comfort and productivity. Whether you're working late into the night or simply prefer a darker theme, night mode is a simple yet effective way to customize your Notion experience. And for creating high-quality documents quickly, Spell offers the perfect complement with its AI-powered features, helping you write and collaborate efficiently. Embrace these tools and transform your digital workspace into one that works best for you.
