One of the best things about Linux is how customizable it is. Unlike Windows or macOS, where you're stuck with what you get, Linux lets you change virtually everything about your desktop's appearance. From themes and icons to panel layouts and animations — the sky is the limit.
What You Can Customize
- Themes — Change the overall look of windows, buttons, and menus
- Icons — Swap the icon set for folders, apps, and system elements
- Wallpapers — Set any image as your background (no restrictions)
- Fonts — Change system fonts, sizes, and rendering
- Panel / Taskbar — Move it, resize it, add widgets, or make it auto-hide
- Cursor — Change your mouse cursor theme
- Desktop effects — Enable animations, transparency, and visual effects
- Login screen — Customize what you see before you sign in
Changing Themes
On Linux Mint (Cinnamon)
- Right-click the desktop and select Change Desktop Background, or open System Settings
- Go to Themes
- You'll see options for Window borders, Icons, Controls, Mouse pointer, and Desktop
- Click the Add/Remove button to browse and download hundreds of community themes
- Select a theme and it applies instantly — no restart needed
On Ubuntu (GNOME)
- Install GNOME Tweaks for full customization control:
- Open Tweaks from your application menu
- Go to Appearance to change themes, icons, and cursors
- For more themes, install them from downloaded files or use the GNOME Extensions app
Popular Theme Recommendations
Changing Icons
Icon packs change the look of folder icons, application icons, and system icons throughout your desktop. Popular options include:
- Papirus — The most popular icon theme. Clean, colorful, and extensive.
- Numix Circle — Round app icons with a modern feel.
- Tela — Flat, colorful icons inspired by macOS.
- Reversal — Circular icons with gradient backgrounds.
To install Papirus icons via terminal:
Then select it in your Themes or Tweaks settings under Icons.
Customizing the Panel
The panel (taskbar) is highly configurable on most desktop environments:
- Move it: Right-click the panel to move it to any screen edge (top, bottom, left, or right)
- Resize it: Make it thinner or wider in panel settings
- Auto-hide: Set it to disappear when not in use for more screen space
- Add widgets: Add a weather applet, system monitor, clipboard manager, or calendar
- Multiple panels: Create additional panels on different screen edges
On KDE Plasma, you can right-click almost anything on the desktop to customize it. It's the most customizable desktop environment available and can be made to look like Windows, macOS, or something entirely unique.
Changing Wallpapers
Right-click your desktop and select Change Desktop Background (or similar). You can use the included wallpapers or select any image file on your computer. Linux has no restrictions on image formats or sources.
For a curated collection of beautiful wallpapers, search for "Linux wallpapers" on any image site, or check community collections on Reddit's r/unixporn for desktop inspiration.
Changing Fonts
To change system fonts, open your Themes/Tweaks settings and look for the Fonts section. You can change:
- Desktop font (for file names on the desktop)
- Window title font
- Document font (default for apps)
- Monospace font (for the terminal and code editors)
Popular font choices include Noto Sans, Fira Sans, Inter, and Ubuntu (the font). Install new fonts by copying .ttf or .otf files to ~/.local/share/fonts/ and running fc-cache -fv.
Desktop Extensions and Widgets
Most desktop environments support extensions or applets that add functionality:
- Cinnamon: Right-click the panel → Applets → Download tab for weather, system stats, and more
- GNOME: Visit the GNOME Extensions website to add desktop functionality with one click
- KDE: Right-click the desktop → Add Widgets for clocks, notes, system monitors, and more
Going Further: r/unixporn
If you want serious inspiration, the Reddit community r/unixporn is dedicated to sharing beautifully customized Linux desktops. It's a great place to discover themes, color schemes, and configuration ideas. Don't be intimidated — many of the stunning setups you see are simpler to achieve than they look.