How to Implement Dark Mode in a React Web Application with styled components and CSS Variables?

In today’s digital landscape, user experience has become paramount, with developers constantly striving to create interfaces that are not only visually appealing but also adaptable to individual preferences. One such design trend that has taken the tech world by storm is the ever-sleek and immersive Dark Mode. The rise in popularity of this dark-themed interface option is not surprising, considering its ability to reduce eye strain, conserve battery life, and provide a touch of elegance to web applications.

If you’re a React developer seeking to elevate your user experience to new levels, you’re in the right place. In this article, we will explore the art of implementing Dark Mode in a React web application, leveraging the power of styled components and CSS Variables. We’ll delve into the inner workings of this captivating design feature and unlock the secrets behind its implementation, empowering you to transform your applications with the flick of a switch.

Step 1: Setting up the React Application:

Start by setting up a basic React application using Create React App (CRA) or any other preferred setup. Open your terminal and run the following commands:

npx create-react-app dark-mode-app
cd dark-mode-app

Step 2: Installing styled components:

Next, install the styled-components library, which offers a powerful styling solution for React applications. In your terminal, execute the following command:

npm install styled-components

Step 3: Defining the Light Mode:

Create a LightMode.js file where we define the styles for the light mode. This file will contain the following code:

import styled from 'styled-components';
export const LightModeContainer = styled.div`
/* Light mode styles here */
`;

Step 4: Creating the Dark Mode Theme:

To create a dark mode theme, we will utilize CSS Variables and styled components. Create a DarkMode.js file with the following code:

import { createGlobalStyle } from 'styled-components';
export const DarkModeStyles = createGlobalStyle`
:root {
--primary-color: #ffffff;

--background-color: #000000;
/* Other CSS variables for dark mode */
} `;

Step 5: Toggling Between Light and Dark Mode:

To toggle between light and dark modes, we can use the React Context API. Create a ThemeContext.js file with the following code:

import { createContext, useState } from 'react';
export const ThemeContext = createContext();
export const ThemeProvider = ({ children }) => {
const [isDarkMode, setIsDarkMode] = useState(false);
const toggleTheme = () => { setIsDarkMode(prevMode => !prevMode); };
return (
<ThemeContext.Provider value={{ isDarkMode, toggleTheme}}>
{children}
</ThemeContext.Provider>
); 
};

Step 6: Applying Dark Mode Styles:

To apply dark mode styles dynamically, we can use the styled-components library with conditional rendering. Create a MyComponent.js file with the following code:

import styled, { css } from 'styled-components';
 import { useContext } from 'react';
 import { ThemeContext } from './ThemeContext';
 export const MyComponentContainer = styled.div`
 /* Common styles for both light and dark mode */
 ${props =>
props.isDarkMode && css`
/* Dark mode specific styles */ `}
`; 
const MyComponent = () => {
const { isDarkMode } = useContext(ThemeContext);
return (
<MyComponentContainer isDarkMode={isDarkMode}>
{/* Component content */}
</MyComponentContainer>
);
};

Conclusion

Implementing dark mode in a React web application enhances the user experience and allows for customization. By following this step-by-step guide and utilizing styled components and CSS Variables, you can easily incorporate dark mode functionality into your application.