In this article, we will look at several ways to make your MacBook more attractive. We will particularly focus on decorating it in a way that won’t cause damage to the MacBook. Let’s get started.

1. Apply Decals to Your MacBook

Applying decals (stickers and skins) is a common way of personalizing a Mac. Even though you can add as many as you want, we think a MacBook looks best when it isn’t too cluttered. You should go with either of these options.

Skins

Skins are laptop-sized stickers that you can apply to the lid, bottom, and palm rests. These are designed to transform your entire MacBook, like the carbon fiber styled skin by SUSCADM that gives the MacBook a robust and rugged look.

This video shows how skins are applied:

As you can see, if you’ve removed a skin, you can’t put it back on—it’s semi-permanent.

One plus point of applying a skin is that it prevents minor scuffs, stains, and scratches. However, protection shouldn’t be your sole reason for applying it on your MacBook. Skins are good for decoration, not protecting a MacBook against damage.

Stickers

Laptop stickers are regular stickers used for decoration, making them much smaller and more varied than skins. Some reasons to favor stickers over skins include:

They’re small, and you can put them where you like, unlike skins that cover a whole area. This way, you can choose which parts of your MacBook you want to leave uncovered. Since they cover less area, they leave less adhesive residue behind. They can create a more dramatic feel than skins. They’re easier to apply and take off. They’re usually cheaper than skins.

The only problem you’ll have with stickers and skins is that sometimes they leave adhesive residue behind. It can be cleaned off, but often affects the MacBook’s original charm. In worse cases, the residue can devalue the laptop too.

2. Use Snap-On Cases

Snap-on cases consist of individual plastic covers for your MacBook’s lid, bottom, and sometimes also the keyboard. They’re primarily designed for protection against accidents. But since they come in all kinds of designs, you can decorate your MacBook with these snap-on cases too.

For example, this MOSISO case has a world map printed on it, and this iCasso uses mandala art. Cases are mostly multipurpose: they protect your MacBook and add a theme to it.

A downside to snap-on cases is that they can add some weight to your MacBook and maybe even make it bulky. Additionally, dust will make its way inside the case over time, so you’ll have to clean your MacBook every few weeks—which is actually good to do anyway.

3. Regularly Clean Your Mac

MacBook grooming doesn’t only extend to applying stickers and cases—it’s about keeping it looking clean and tidy too. There are two types of cleaning when it comes to laptops: physical and virtual. The chassis and screen fall into the physical category. And, the desktop falls into the virtual one.

A clean MacBook with a cluttered desktop isn’t consistent with the statement we’re trying to make.

To clean your MacBook’s chassis, wipe it with a microfiber cloth lightly dampened with 70% isopropyl alcohol. To declutter your MacBook’s desktop, organize it by sorting the files into folders or by using macOS stacks.

4. Personalize Your Wallpaper, Icons, and Sounds

Your MacBook should be impressive with the lid open or closed. While stickers and skins help on the outside, custom wallpapers, icons, and sounds help when the lid is open.

To make these customizations:

Get wallpapers from sites like InterfaceLIFT, WallpapersWide, and Digital Blasphemy. Alternatively, you can download them from stock image sites like Unsplash. The trick here is to use the wallpapers that resonate with your personality. Use cool avatars as your profile picture by customizing your login screen. Change icons and cursor colors to follow the theme you’ve created with chassis decoration. Change notification and system sounds. However, try to go with something low-profile and subtle. Since these sounds are repetitive, people aren’t usually too receptive to them if they’re loud and upbeat.

Our in-depth macOS personalization guide explains how you can change wallpapers, icons, and system sounds.

5. Invest in Stylish a Carrying Case or Sleeve

Often, minimal sleeves like the ones Apple makes are enough to make your MacBook look good. However, a little extra decoration can mean that your laptop will make statements in and out of its carrying case.

You can either purchase a stylized sleeve or you can decorate the one you have. If you have a leather sleeve, you can apply stickers. If it’s a cloth or neoprene sleeve, you can try embroidery or painting.

6. Decorate Your MacBook’s Power Adapter

A pretty Mac coming out of a pretty case but connecting to a messy power adapter isn’t consistent. There are three things you need to do here to make your power adapter and cable look better:

Clean the whole charger: Get rid of stains and dirt by using a cleaning solution and thoroughly rubbing with a cloth. Put it in a protective case: Even if you clean it, the adapter likely gets knocked around enough to get dirty again quickly. Using a protective pouch will protect the adapter from accidental damage and dirt. This case by Lopnord is a good example of such cases. It includes a cable organizer too—something that’s missing from the latest Apple adapters. Decorate: You can also apply stickers or paint doodles on your charger’s cover, too. This will continue the theme you’re creating overall. Get a Wire Cover: Using a wire cover, like this one by Nippon, can go a long way. It protects your cable from getting damaged in different scenarios and ensures its longevity.

Pro-Tip: Use Snap-On Cases and Skins Together!

By using a snap-on case and some decoration material, you can protect your MacBook, make it stylish, and retain its original condition. Here’s how.

First, put on a transparent snap-on case—like this one by Fintie. Then, apply your favorite stickers or skins to the case, or put Polaroid photographs inside. OtRainbow stickers give you many options to choose from.

The snap-on case will protect your MacBook from physical damage and will give you a removable layer to apply your stickers. When not in the mood, you can remove the cover and enjoy your original MacBook again!

Keep Your MacBook Pretty and Safe

When you’re having fun decorating your Mac, remember to style it after your own personality. If you’re a fun-loving, upbeat person, you can add more stickers and style. If you’re the quiet, classy type, you can keep it all minimal.

MacBooks last longer than most laptops, if you take care of them the right way. This is another reason to get a high quality case or a snap-on cover.