Abdullah
If you’ve spent any time browsing the web lately, you’ve probably noticed one big shift: dark mode is everywhere. From mobile apps to websites to operating systems, almost every digital platform now offers a darker version of its design. And users have come to expect it, not as a bonus feature, but as a normal part of a modern, well-designed experience. whether it’s on large corporate sites or tradie websites for electricians, plumbers, or painters
As a marketer in Australia who works closely with businesses across different industries, I’m seeing more and more people ask for dark mode. Why? Because it looks sleek, feels clean, and makes browsing at night or in low-light conditions a lot more comfortable. It reduces the harsh brightness of white screens and helps users stay focused for longer. This is especially important when you’re working on marketing for electricians, plumbers, or painters,
But here’s the important part: dark mode isn’t just some trendy design choice. When you build it properly, it can actually improve the overall user experience. It makes your website easier to use, supports people with sensitivity to bright screens, and helps your brand look more modern and professional. In many cases, it even increases engagement because people enjoy spending more time on a site that feels good on the eyes.
And today, I want to walk you through exactly how to design dark mode the right way, in a way that looks beautiful, feels natural, and works perfectly for every user.
Dark mode has shifted from being a “nice idea” to something people now expect from modern websites and apps. Today, users spend many hours on their phones, laptops, and tablets, working, reading, watching videos, or browsing social media. A lot of this happens in the evening or late at night, when bright white screens can feel too strong or uncomfortable on the eyes.
That’s why so many people prefer dark mode. It feels softer, calmer, and easier to look at for long periods. It reduces eye strain, helps users focus better, and makes the overall browsing experience much more comfortable. For many users, dark mode isn’t just a preference, it’s their default way of using the internet.
Because of this, websites that don’t offer dark mode can feel outdated or less user-friendly, especially in 2025. Adding dark mode is no longer just about looking stylish, it’s about giving your audience an experience that matches how they actually use their devices every day.
Here’s why dark mode matters:
Many devices in Australia now switch to dark mode automatically, so your website needs to keep up.
And even though research shows mixed results around for dark mode or light mode is “better” for the eyes, one thing is clear: users love having the choice.
Dark mode gets a lot of attention, but what does the research actually say? Studies show that dark mode can reduce eye strain in low-light environments, help people focus for longer periods, and even improve readability for some users, especially those sensitive to bright light. Research also suggests that dark mode can save battery life on modern OLED screens, which makes people more likely to use websites and apps that support it. While dark mode isn’t perfect for every situation, the evidence is clear: when used correctly, it creates a more comfortable, modern, and user-friendly browsing experience.
A study in Düsseldorf tested how quickly people could read and notice small details when using dark mode compared to light mode. Light mode did perform a little better, but the difference was very small, almost too small to matter in normal, everyday use. In simple terms, people could read slightly faster in light mode, but not enough to make a big impact. The study showed that dark mode isn’t “worse”; it just performs differently depending on lighting conditions. Most users still find dark mode more comfortable, especially at night or in low-light environments, even if light mode has a tiny speed advantage in perfect lighting.
MIT’s AgeLab discovered that the amount of light in the environment makes a big difference in how people experience dark mode and light mode. During the day, when there’s plenty of natural light, both modes performed almost the same. Users could read comfortably and complete tasks without any major difference.
But things changed in a nighttime setting. When the researchers simulated low-light or evening conditions, many users said that light mode felt too bright, almost like a flashlight in a dark room. This made the screen uncomfortable to look at and caused more eye strain. Dark mode, on the other hand, felt softer, calmer, and much easier on the eyes.
The study shows that dark mode isn’t just a style choice, it’s genuinely more comfortable for people in darker environments, which explains why so many users prefer it when browsing at night.
A study from the University of Minnesota found that dark mode can be especially helpful for people who have cloudy ocular media, which means the eye scatters light more than usual. This condition can make bright screens feel harsh, blurry, or uncomfortable. The study showed that when these users switched to dark mode, the darker interface reduced the amount of glare hitting their eyes and made text easier to read.
In simple words, dark mode helped reduce the “shine” and brightness that often causes discomfort, allowing people to read more comfortably and with less strain. This shows that dark mode isn’t just about looks, for some users, it actually improves accessibility and overall eye comfort.
The research results are mixed, some people read better in light mode, while others feel more comfortable in dark mode. Because everyone’s eyes, habits, and environments are different, the safest and smartest approach is very simple: give users control. Let them choose the mode that works best for them, for its day or night.
By offering an easy toggle between light and dark mode, you support personal preferences, accessibility needs, and real-life situations. You’re not forcing one design on everyone; you’re giving them the freedom to select what feels comfortable. This creates a more user-friendly experience and shows that your website cares about every type of visitor.
Dark mode isn’t just practical, it’s also visually powerful. It gives your website a sleek, modern, and premium look that immediately grabs attention. The darker background allows colors, images, and important elements to stand out more clearly, creating a bold and stylish design. It adds depth, contrast, and mood, making your brand feel more professional and up to date. So, while dark mode helps users feel more comfortable, it also makes your website look cleaner, sharper, and more memorable.
Dark palettes often feel:
In fact, dark colors are often associated with feelings of exclusivity, elegance, and high status. They give a sense of sophistication and luxury that many users find appealing. Interestingly, even though dark mode feels very modern and trendy today, it’s actually not new at all. Its roots go back to the early days of computing, when old CRT monitors displayed green text on black screens. So, what seems like a modern design choice is really a nod to the history of technology, updated for today’s sleek, user-friendly interfaces. It combines both style and practicality in a way that resonates with modern users.
Today, dark mode is widely used for:
It’s calming, easy on the eyes, and helps users focus, which is why so many Australians prefer using it in the evenings.
Of course, dark mode isn’t perfect for every situation. While it comes with many benefits, like reducing eye strain and looking sleek, there are times when it can actually make things harder for users. For example, in very bright environments, like being outside on a sunny day in Australia, dark screens can be difficult to see. It can also make reading long paragraphs or dense text more tiring if the contrast between text and background isn’t strong enough. Some users with certain types of color blindness or low vision may find it harder to read, and very colorful brands can struggle to keep their visuals clear.
Because of these limitations, it’s important to remember that dark mode should be optional. The best approach is to give users the choice to switch between light and dark modes so they can use the one that feels most comfortable for them. This way, everyone has a good experience no matter where they are, what device they’re using, or how long they spend on your website.
Harder to read in bright sunlight: If someone is outdoors in Australia’s bright summer sun, dark mode can make text and details difficult to see because the screen may appear too dim.
Long bodies of text: When there’s a lot of writing on a page, dark mode can become tiring to read, especially if the contrast between text and background isn’t strong enough.
Accessibility concerns: Dark mode may not work well for users with certain types of color blindness or low vision, as some colors or text can become hard to distinguish.
Colorful brands: Brands that rely on very bright or saturated colors may find it challenging to keep their visuals clear and readable on a dark background.
In short, dark mode works best when it’s designed carefully, and it’s always smart to let users switch between light and dark modes so they can choose what works best for their situation. This way, you make sure everyone has a comfortable, enjoyable experience.
And again, this is why a toggle button is essential.
I’ve helped many Australian businesses add dark mode to their websites, and I’ve noticed the same rules work every single time. Dark mode isn’t just about flipping colors; it’s about making sure your website stays readable, user-friendly, and visually appealing in every situation. Over the years, I’ve developed a practical framework that I follow to design dark mode properly, ensuring it looks great, feels comfortable to use, and supports accessibility for all users.
This framework covers everything from choosing the right background and text colors, to adjusting images, icons, and buttons, to making sure users can easily switch between light and dark mode. By following these steps, you can create a dark mode experience that doesn’t just look modern, it actually works well for your audience, keeps them engaged, and strengthens your brand online.
Using pure black for the background and pure white for text can create a very harsh contrast that is hard on the eyes. It can make the screen feel like it’s glowing or shining too brightly, which can cause eye strain, especially during long reading sessions or in low-light environments.
Instead, it’s much better to use dark grey backgrounds, like #121212 or #1E1E1E, which are softer and more comfortable for the eyes. For the text, choose off-white or light grey colors, such as #E0E0E0. These shades reduce the glare and make reading more comfortable, while still keeping the text clear and easy to see.
Using these softer tones creates a more pleasant and modern dark mode design. It makes your website easier to read, keeps users engaged for longer, and feels much gentler on the eyes compared to the harsh black-and-white contrast.
This keeps everything softer, smoother, and easier to read.
Good contrast is really important for readability, especially in dark mode. If the text doesn’t stand out enough from the background, users will struggle to read it, and it can even cause eye strain.
As a rule, I follow the minimum contrast guidelines:
A 4.5:1 ratio for normal text, which means regular paragraphs and smaller text should have enough difference from the background to be clearly readable.
A 3:1 ratio for large text, like headings or titles, so that bigger text is easy to see even if it’s not as bright.
I always test my designs using contrast-checking tools to make sure every element meets these standards. This ensures that the design is not only visually appealing but also accessible and user-friendly for everyone, including people with vision difficulties. By focusing on contrast, I make sure users can read content comfortably, no matter the lighting or screen they are using.
Bright colors can look too strong or “glow” aggressively when used on a dark background. This can be overwhelming for the eyes and make your design feel harsh or distracting. For example, a bright pink like #FF007F can feel way too intense in dark mode, so it’s much better to use a softened, muted version, like #D96B8A. Similarly, a very bright or electric blue like #007BFF can appear glaring, so you could switch to a calmer, more muted blue, like #357ABD.
Using these toned-down versions of your brand colors keeps your interface visually balanced and easy on the eyes, while still allowing your buttons, highlights, and important elements to stand out. The goal is to make the design comfortable to look at for longer periods without losing the brand’s personality or visual impact. Softening bright colors in dark mode makes your website feel more professional, modern, and user-friendly.
This keeps your interface clear without overwhelming the user.
You don’t need to completely reinvent your brand colors when creating a dark mode design. Your main colors are still important and should be used strategically to keep your brand recognizable and consistent. For example, you can use your primary colors for buttons, so calls-to-action stand out clearly. They also work well for your logo, helping your brand identity stay strong even on a dark background.
You can use your main colors for icons and small highlights, like links, borders, or important UI elements, to guide users’ attention and make navigation easier. By keeping your key colors in these areas, you maintain a clear and familiar brand style, while the rest of the interface uses softer, darker tones to reduce glare and make the design easy on the eyes. This approach keeps your website visually appealing, functional, and true to your brand without overwhelming users.
Then soften them for backgrounds and secondary elements so they’re not too bright.
In dark mode, traditional shadows almost disappear, so they don’t work the way they do in light mode. If you rely on shadows to create depth or separate elements, users might not notice them at all. To solve this, I use alternative techniques that are much more effective on dark backgrounds.
For example, I add soft borders around sections or cards to gently define edges. Light glows can make buttons or important elements stand out without looking harsh. I also use subtle gradients and slightly lighter layers to create visual separation and hierarchy. Small, gentle depth effects help the interface feel three-dimensional and organized without overwhelming the user.
These techniques make the dark mode interface easy to read, visually interesting, and intuitive. Users can clearly see different sections, interactive elements, and important content, while still enjoying a sleek, modern, and comfortable design that’s easy on the eyes.
These add hierarchy without looking harsh or artificial.
Text always needs extra care in dark mode because it behaves differently on dark backgrounds. Pure white text can feel too bright and make reading uncomfortable, so I usually use light grey tones instead, which are softer on the eyes but still easy to read. Thin or delicate fonts can disappear or look faint, so it’s better to stick with medium or bold fonts, especially for headings, to create a clear hierarchy and make important content stand out.
Line spacing is also crucial, adding enough space between lines prevents the text from feeling cramped and improves readability. For body text, I usually keep the font size around 14–17px, which is comfortable for most users on both desktop and mobile screens.
Readable typography is truly the heart of a good dark mode design. If the text isn’t clear and comfortable to read, no matter how sleek your colors or layout are, users will struggle and may leave your site. By paying attention to these details, your dark mode becomes not just stylish, but also functional, accessible, and enjoyable for everyone.
This is non-negotiable, giving users control over dark mode is essential. Not everyone wants to use dark mode all the time, especially in bright Australian sunlight or well-lit rooms, where dark backgrounds can actually make reading harder. That’s why having a simple toggle in your menu or settings is so important. It allows users to switch between light and dark mode quickly and easily, giving them a flexible experience that suits their environment and personal preference.
I also recommend respecting system preferences using tools like the prefers-color-scheme media query. This means your website can automatically adapt to match the user’s device settings, for they prefer light or dark mode. Combining this automatic adjustment with a manual toggle ensures that your site is both smart and user-friendly, letting people feel in control while also giving them the convenience of a design that adapts to their needs without extra effort. This approach makes your dark mode experience flexible, accessible, and enjoyable for everyone.
Images and visuals created for light mode often don’t work well in dark mode. Bright backgrounds or harsh colors can look out of place or even jarring when the overall interface is dark. To fix this and make everything feel natural, I use several strategies.
For example, I use PNGs with transparent backgrounds, so images blend seamlessly with both light and dark themes. For logos, I provide light versions that stand out on dark surfaces without looking harsh. I also add softer shadows behind images to give them depth and make them pop without overwhelming the dark background.
Photos and illustrations often need adjustments too; I lower contrast or slightly soften bright colors so they’re night-friendly and comfortable to look at. For icons, I prefer SVGs, because they are scalable and can easily switch colors depending on the theme, keeping the design consistent.
The goal is simple: everything must feel natural and harmonious in both light and dark modes. Users shouldn’t feel like the design was just “flipped”, it should look intentional, polished, and easy on the eyes no matter which mode they choose. This makes the website look professional, modern, and enjoyable to use at any time of the day.
You can’t design dark mode in isolation or assume it will look good on every device or in every situation. I always make sure to test the design thoroughly to catch any issues before it goes live. This includes checking it outdoors in bright Australian daylight, where dark backgrounds can sometimes appear too dull or hard to read. I also test it indoors during the evening, when low light makes dark mode more comfortable, and in complete darkness, where even small brightness issues can feel glaring.
Testing across devices is just as important. I check how dark mode looks on phones, tablets, laptops, and large screens, because elements like text, images, and buttons can appear differently depending on screen size and resolution.
The goal is simple: dark mode should never feel washed out, too bright, or confusing. Every element, from typography and images to buttons and icons, must look clear, readable, and visually balanced no matter where or how the user views your site. By testing carefully, you ensure a polished, professional, and user-friendly experience that works perfectly in all environments.
Here’s a quick summary of the dark mode rules I always follow to make sure websites look great, work well, and are easy to use for every visitor:
These are the key points I focus on every time I design dark mode: from choosing the right colors and contrasts, to making text readable, adjusting images and icons, and testing the design across all devices and lighting conditions. I also make sure users can switch between light and dark mode easily, respecting their personal preferences and device settings.
Following these rules helps create a dark mode experience that is comfortable on the eyes, visually appealing, fully functional, and accessible. It’s not just about looking modern, it’s about making your website user-friendly, professional, and enjoyable no matter when, where, or how someone visits.
Colors are the foundation of a good dark mode design. Instead of using harsh pure black or bright white, I stick to soft blacks and dark greys like #121212 or #1E1E1E for backgrounds, which are much gentler on the eyes. For text, I avoid pure white and use muted whites or light greys like #E0E0E0, which make reading comfortable without creating a glaring effect.
It’s also important to use colors that match your brand. Buttons, logos, and key highlights should stick to your brand palette, but slightly muted versions can make them work better in dark mode. This keeps your website consistent, professional, and visually pleasing, while ensuring that all elements are easy to see and interact with in low-light or nighttime settings.
High contrast is essential for readability in dark mode. I always make sure the text stands out clearly from the background so users can read it easily without straining their eyes. To do this, I follow WCAG accessibility standards, which recommend a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for larger text. This ensures that all users, including those with visual impairments, can read the content comfortably.
I also avoid using washed-out grey text on dark backgrounds, because it can look faint and be difficult to read. Instead, I use light greys with sufficient opacity, or off-white tones, so that headings, body text, and important messages are always visible and clear. Keeping strong contrast like this makes your website easy to read, professional, and user-friendly, even in low-light or night-time settings.
Not everyone wants to use dark mode all the time, and some people prefer light mode depending on the environment they’re in. That’s why it’s important to give users control over their experience. I always add a toggle switch on the website or app so people can easily switch between light and dark modes with just one click.
I also make sure the website automatically matches their device’s system settings using the prefers-color-scheme feature. This means if a user’s phone or computer is set to dark mode, the website will switch automatically, and if it’s set to light mode, it will match that too.
Finally, I save user selections using cookies or local storage so their preference is remembered every time they visit. This makes the experience flexible, personal, and convenient, showing users that their comfort and choice are a priority while keeping the website professional and easy to use.
Images, icons, and other media can look very different in dark mode, so it’s important to optimize them properly. I always use SVG icons whenever possible because they are scalable and can easily change color to match dark or light themes, making sure they look sharp on every device.
For photos or graphics that don’t adapt automatically, I adjust them for dark mode. This can mean using transparent backgrounds, lighter versions of logos, or reducing contrast in images so they don’t appear too bright or harsh against a dark background.
I also soften gradients, shadows, and layer effects. In dark mode, harsh shadows disappear or look unnatural, so I use subtle highlights, gentle gradients, or slightly lighter layers to create depth and make elements stand out without straining the eyes.
This way, all media and icons feel natural, clear, and visually balanced in both dark and light modes, giving users a smooth and pleasant experience no matter which mode they choose.
Switching between light and dark mode should feel natural and comfortable for users. Sudden changes, like a flashing background or abrupt color shift, can be jarring and annoying. To avoid this, I always use fading animations or gentle transitions when the theme changes.
Even small details, like buttons, headings, or background layers, should gradually adjust their colors so the change is smooth and easy on the eyes. You can also use CSS transitions or animation libraries like GSAP or Framer Motion to make these movements look polished and professional.
Smooth transitions not only improve the visual experience but also make your website feel more modern, thoughtful, and user-friendly. Users are more likely to stay longer and enjoy browsing when the theme changes seamlessly without any harsh flashes or sudden jumps.
Dark mode isn’t just a passing trend, it’s here to stay. More and more users now expect websites and apps to offer a dark mode option, especially in 2025 when screens are used for long hours, often at night or in dimly lit environments. Dark mode really does improve the user experience by reducing eye strain, lowering glare, and making content easier to focus on.
But dark mode isn’t meant to replace light mode entirely. Instead, it’s about giving users flexibility, comfort, and control so they can choose what works best for them at any time of the day. A website that respects user choice feels thoughtful and professional, and it helps build trust and engagement with your audience.
As someone who works closely with Australian businesses to optimize their digital presence every day, I can say with confidence: if you want your brand to look modern, feel premium, and provide a better user experience in 2025, designing for dark mode is no longer optional, it’s essential.
You don’t need to make things complicated or overengineer your design. The key is to follow the right principles, choose the right colors, maintain strong contrast, optimize media, provide toggles, and always test in real-world scenarios. By putting the user first and thinking about how they interact with your website or app, you can create a dark mode experience that looks great, feels comfortable, and strengthens your brand, all without unnecessary complexity.
A well-designed dark mode not only enhances usability but also makes your website or app feel modern, professional, and trustworthy, helping you stand out in a crowded digital space. In short, it’s a small addition that can make a huge difference in how users experience your brand.
SEO Expert & Content Writer
Abdullah is an SEO Expert and Content Writer who loves helping businesses grow online. He creates interesting content and makes sure it shows up on search engines so more people can find it. In her spare time, He enjoys reading books and has a great love for animals.
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