Back to Devexpress

Customize an Application Appearance

wpf-403707-common-concepts-customize-your-application-appearance.md

latest4.5 KB
Original Source

Customize an Application Appearance

  • Dec 22, 2025
  • 2 minutes to read

You can change the appearance of an application built with DevExpress WPF controls and standard WPF controls in any of the following ways:

Switch an Application Theme

The DevExpress WPF Subscription ships with over thirty custom designed application themes. Themes change the appearance (colors, padding values, margins, and more) of DevExpress WPF controls and standard WPF controls. Refer to the following topic for information on how to switch an application theme: WPF Application Themes.

Run Demo: Outlook Inspired Demo

Use a Control’s Built-in Appearance Customization Properties

Refer to the following topics for information on available appearance customization properties:

Modify Theme Palettes

The following DevExpress WPF themes include palettes:

Theme FamilyThemes
Windows 11Dark, Light
Windows 10Dark, Light
Office 2019Black, Colorful, Dark Gray, White, HighContrast
Visual Studio 2019Blue, Dark, Light
Office 2016 SEBlack, Colorful, Dark Gray, White
Visual Studio 2017Blue, Dark, Light

Palettes allow you to integrate colors (for example, corporate colors) into your application and customize colors used in these themes.

Follow the steps below to apply a custom palette to an application:

  1. Create a custom palette in code.
  2. Generate a new theme that includes this palette.
  3. Apply the theme to an application.

Use the WPF Theme Designer

You can also create custom theme palettes in the WPF Theme Designer tool in any of the following ways:

Modify Theme Resources (Advanced Approach)

If a visual element has no associated appearance property or palette color, you can modify this element’s theme resources in your application.

See Also

How to implement ThemeMananger theme support in custom controls

WPF Application Themes

Theme List

Palettes

Modify Theme Resources