The Best Apps to Use for an Aesthetic Home Screen
These are the apps you NEED if you want to create your dream aesthetic Home Screen for your iPad.
Widgetsmith: I love Widgetsmith mainly to create extra large app icons using photos I find off Pinterest.
Pinterest: an absolute MUST HAVE for finding aesthetic photos to use when customizing your widgets using the other apps listed. I find all my aesthetic photos and app icons off Pinterest, as well as create all my vision boards using Pinterest Collages.
Canva: I like to use Canva for more of a creation tool. Typically I’ll take photos I find off Pinterest and add them to Canva in order to add some text or elements to spice up the picture.
MD Widgets: I mainly use MD Widgets for their “moments” widgets. These are fully customizable widgets where you can add your own photos to make it look like Polaroid pictures on a board.
Color Widgets: is my absolute FAVORITE widget customization app. They have tons of widgets to choose from, even with the free version.
Okay, so you've seen those gorgeous iPad home screens and thought, 'How do they even do that?' Trust me, I've been there! It looks complicated, but with a few key apps and some creative flair, you can totally transform your iPad into a personalized aesthetic masterpiece. I’m going to dive a little deeper into how I use these apps together to get that cohesive, dreamy look. First, Pinterest is truly your visual playground. Don't just save random photos; create dedicated boards for 'iPad Aesthetic' or 'Widget Backgrounds.' I love searching for specific vibes like 'pastel aesthetic' or 'minimalist desktop wallpaper' to get started. Once I have my inspiration, I often jump over to Canva. While Pinterest gives me raw images, Canva lets me truly make them *mine*. I'll take a beautiful landscape photo from Pinterest and use Canva's design templates to add a subtle quote, a custom 'LUCKY GIRL ERA' text overlay, or even a chic border. This is crucial for making your widgets feel unique and not just like a generic photo. Next up, getting those custom widgets to pop! Widgetsmith is my go-to for creating those extra-large photo widgets that really make a statement. Think about using a stunning high-resolution image you prepped in Canva, maybe even something that looks like an old Polaroid print. For functional widgets, Color Widgets is incredible because it offers so many customizable themes, even on the free version. I’ve used it to create custom calendar widgets that match my aesthetic perfectly, or even a sleek music player widget. It’s not just about pretty pictures; it’s about making your everyday tools beautiful too! I’ve found it super easy to set up a 'January calendar' or a simple 'clock' widget that fits my overall theme. And for something truly unique, MD Widgets has been a game-changer for my 'moments' widgets. These let you display photos in a way that feels like physical prints tacked onto your screen – like a mini digital vision board. I combine these with my Pinterest collages to create dynamic 'iboards' that constantly inspire me. Imagine having a small gallery of your favorite memories or aspirations right there on your home screen! Finally, let's talk about those custom app icons, especially if you're aiming for an 'iOS custom app icons pastel theme.' You'll need the Shortcuts app for this, which is built into your iPad. Once you've found or created your desired icon image (again, Pinterest and Canva are your best friends here!), you can create a shortcut that opens your app but uses your custom image. It's a bit of a process but SO worth it for that fully cohesive look. I usually search for 'aesthetic app icons free' on Pinterest to find sets that match my chosen color palette. My biggest tip? Don't be afraid to experiment! Play around with different widget sizes, font colors, and photo combinations. It's your iPad, your style. Creating an aesthetic home screen isn't just about looks; it’s about crafting a digital space that feels calm, inspiring, and uniquely *you*. Happy customizing!