How to Add a Clean Inset Border to a Divi Column (That’s Actually Inside!)

Looking to add a subtle but polished touch to your Divi layout? Adding an inset border — one that sits *inside* the column, not on the edge — is a great way to draw attention to a section without making it feel boxed in or bulky.

Whether you’re highlighting a testimonial, call-to-action, or just want a slick visual accent, here’s how you can easily add a 1px inset border, 20px inside the column, with a clean semi-transparent white look.

The Problem: By default, there is no way to inset column borders in Divi

When you use Divi’s built-in border controls, the border sits on the edge of the element. That’s fine for most cases, but sometimes you want a more refined effect — something that feels like it’s floating inside the content box.

Enter: a little CSS magic.

The Solution: Use a ::after Pseudo Element

Here’s how to make it happen using Divi’s Custom CSS fields.

• Step 1: Go to the Column Settings
  – Open the Row module settings
- Click the gear icon for the Column you want to modify
- Navigate to Advanced > Custom CSS
• Step 2: Add This to the “Main Element” Section
  
position: relative;
  This ensures the column is the reference point for your inset border.
• Step 3: Add This to the “After” Section
  content: “”;

  position: absolute;

  top: 20px;

  left: 20px;

  right: 20px;

  bottom: 20px;

  border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.5);

  pointer-events: none;

  z-index: 1;

What This Does:

• Adds a 1px white border inside the column
- Places it 20px away from all sides, creating a true inset effect
- Uses rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.5) for a subtle, semi-transparent look
• Keeps your content clickable with pointer-events: none
  You can also tweak the opacity (last value in rgba) to make the border more or less visible depending on your background.

This small design touch makes a big impact — especially when paired with good spacing and typography. If you’re building with Divi and want your sections to stand out without being loud, this inset border trick is a quick win.