IntelliJ: How to change background color of Project Folder window?

Go to:

Settings->Appearance & Behavior->File colors

On the right side there will be small '+' button. Add All, Project Files etc. Add your custom colour. Apply, Ok, Voila!

enter image description here


Project view background color depends on the theme selected and cannot be changed:

  • IDEA-132299 Allow custom colors for the built-in UI themes (LAFs Darcula and Default)

Certain folders and files will have different colors based on the Scopes.

scope color


In addition to what @CrazyCoder said.

You may use another GUI Theme. There are at least 2 plugins available that will provide different dark themes:

  • Afterglow Theme
  • Material Theme UI

Since they provided via plugins you will have to disable such plugin if you wish to switch to another GUI Theme.


As for the Project View panel background:

  • That yellowish color can be changed/disabled as per @CrazyCoder's screenshot
  • Actual background color might be changed with the help of one of such plugins (sorry, I do not know if they still work -- but used to work in the past -- last update 4 years ago):
    • Color Ide
    • Color Tree