Accessible Squarespace Color Palettes: 5 Custom Combinations for WCAG Compliance

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Let's talk about something that often gets overlooked when designing websites: accessible color combinations that actually look good together.

I know what you're thinking - "but Janessa, isn't picking colors supposed to be the fun part?" Yes! And it can be, once you understand a few key principles about how Squarespace handles color palettes and what makes them accessible.

First things first: Squarespace gives you five color slots to work with:

• White or very light (upper left)

• Light accent (lower left)

• Bold/bright (middle)

• Dark accent (upper right)

• Black or very dark (lower right)

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Read more here:

• From Drab to Fab: Transform Your Squarespace Site with the Perfect Palette

• How to Use Color Psychology to Create an On-Brand Website

• Your Color Theory Guide to Website Design

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While Squarespace offers preset palettes, creating your own custom combination helps your site stand out and align perfectly with your brand. But here's the catch - those colors need to work together AND meet accessibility standards. And that’s something that often gets overlooked.

Quick accessibility primer: For your website to be properly accessible, your text needs to be easily readable against its background. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) specify that:

• Normal text needs a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1

• Large text (24px or 18px bold) needs 3:1

• Graphics and UI elements need 3:1

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Read more here:

• Is Your Website Excluding Visitors? Fix It with These Accessibility Tips!

• Keyboard Navigation: Making Your Squarespace Site Accessible for All

• How Does Website Design Shape Your Visitors' Experience?

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In the examples below, I include only color combinations that have at least 5 accessible combos that meet or exceed a 4.5 contrast ratio.
So no matter what color palette you choose, you'll know that there will be accessible options!

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1. Beach Retreat Squarespace Color Palette

Colors:

• Pearl White (#F8F8F3)

• Sandy Beach (#E9E0D6)

• Sea Foam (#D4EEFE)

• Faded Denim (#8BA9C2)

• Deep Sea Navy (#061224)

• Vibe: Calm, serene, and sophisticated.

• Best For:

• Wellness coaches or yoga instructors.

• Freelancers in lifestyle niches (e.g., travel bloggers, interior designers).

• Solopreneurs in health and wellness.

• Businesses that focus on mindfulness, spa services, or coastal-themed products.

• Great for minimalist yet approachable brands.

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2. Champagne & Olives Squarespace Color Palette

Colors:

• Polar White (#FFFFFF)

• Champagne (#EADED5)

• Olive Gold (#837828)

• Dark Olive (#3A3937)

• Deep Black (#000000)

• Vibe: Elegant, luxurious, and timeless.

• Best For:

• High-end consultants, personal stylists, or luxury brand designers.

• Freelance photographers or wedding planners.

• Online business owners offering upscale products or services.

• Anyone aiming to project sophistication and wealth.

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3. Hitchin’ a Ride Squarespace Color Palette

Colors:

• Vintage Camper White (#EDECE6)

• Psychedelic Sunset (#E6A03B)

• Campfire Glow (#D56C39)

• Retro Leather (#9D5F47)

• Midnight Road (#051124)

• Vibe: Bold, retro, and adventurous.

• Best For:

• Creative freelancers (illustrators, designers, musicians).

• Adventure bloggers or outdoor lifestyle brands.

• Entrepreneurs who embrace vintage aesthetics.

• Small business owners in handmade crafts or artisan goods.

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4. Starry Night Disco Squarespace Color Palette

Colors:

• Starry White (#FFFFFF)

• Pink Roller (#F4AAD1)

• Glow in the Dark Green (#A5F171)

• Neon Orange (#F2853F)

• Midnight Black (#2F3135)

• Vibe: Energetic, fun, and vibrant.

• Best For:

• Digital marketers, event planners, or entertainment businesses.

• Social media managers or influencers targeting younger audiences.

• Online courses for creative industries.

• Great for tech startups or edgy creative brands.

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5. Woodland Fairies Squarespace Color Palette

Colors:

• Gentle Peach (#FEF2E6)

• Soft Moss (#E6EBBE)

• Forest Green (#4C734B)

• Posey Pink (#E699B8)

• Deep Brown (#592A0A)

• Vibe: Natural, whimsical, and earthy.

• Best For:

• Eco-conscious brands or nature-inspired businesses.

• Florists, garden designers, or organic product lines.

• Coaches or healers in the wellness space.

• Freelancers or solopreneurs with an artisan or bohemian focus.

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Now that you’ve picked your fave, let's talk implementation!

When you're ready to use these in Squarespace:

1. Navigate to Design > Colors in your Squarespace dashboard

2. Select "Custom" under color themes

3. Input the hex codes for your chosen palette

4. Test the contrast on your site's main sections

Remember: While these palettes are pre-tested for accessibility, always check how they look with your specific content. Text overlay on images, button colors, and form fields deserve special attention.

Want to test different combinations? I recommend WebAIM's contrast checker or The Color Palette Studio’s free accessibility contrast checker to make sure your color choices meet accessibility standards.