Learn how to build a clean, full‑screen Home Assistant dashboard using the February 2026 release. In this step‑by‑step tutorial, I walk through creating a new dashboard, adding multiple tabs, setting custom backgrounds, installing Browser Mod, and configuring Photo Frame for full‑screen images when you’re away from the panel.
You’ll see how to safely use Browser Mod without locking yourself out, how to hide the sidebar and header, and how to create navigation buttons using Mushroom Templates. I also show how to set up a media folder, configure configuration.yaml, and link Photo Frame to your images so they display automatically.
Whether you’re building a wall‑mounted tablet dashboard or refining your smart home UI, this guide gives you the full workflow from start to finish.
What you’ll learn:
Creating a new Home Assistant dashboard
Adding tabs for Dashboard, Photos, and Cameras Setting custom backgrounds using Pexels textures
Installing and configuring Browser Mod Safely hiding sidebar & header for a clean UI
Adding navigation buttons with Mushroom Templates
Installing Photo Frame via HACS Setting up media folders and YAML configuration
Displaying full‑screen photos when away from the dashboard
Preparing for automation that switches views based on presence
Useful links
https://www.pexels.com/search/background%20abstract/
https://community.home-assistant.io/t/photoframe-custom-card/931725
https://github.com/thomasloven/hass-browser_mod
This is part 2 of a multi‑video series where we build a fully automated, presence‑aware dashboard that switches between photos and controls depending on where you are in the room.