Adding style to form and page elements

Most of the CSS rules you write for an application relate to design elements on forms and pages. Suggestions and examples in this section just scratch the surface of CSS possibilities. Browse the Web for additional ideas. Here we focus on the mechanics of how elements are styled, rather than on specific recommendations about what looks good, which is largely a matter of taste.

Use color effectively

Use pleasing, complementary colors. If your organization requires a specific set of colors, then of course find out what that palette is and conform to it as much as possible. Color tastes change over the years, primary colors dominating at times and lighter pastels in vogue at others. Here are a few generalities to consider:

• Use white or very light colors for backgrounds

• Use stronger colors such as dark red to make important elements stand out

• Use no more than three or four colors on a form

• Use black or dark gray text on a light background for lengthy text passages...