![\"layout](\"https:\/\/getflywheel-images.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2018\/05\/2018-05-21_A-guide-to-effective-white-space-in-web-design-1971-copy.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHere\u2019s a guide to the effective use of white space in web design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Improve the Legibility of Text<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Text that\u2019s tightly spaced feels cluttered and is difficult to read. Space it too far apart, however, and the reader feels a disconnection and can lose their place in the text. At a time when users face information overload, if you don\u2019t make your content easy to consume, they simply won\u2019t bother.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The correct use of white space in text can increase readability by up to 20%<\/a>. Think about paragraph margins and line spacing when designing your page. The amount of white space should reflect the pauses the visitor takes while reading. It\u2019s like visual breathing space for the eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The law of proximity details how the human eye perceives the relationship between certain visual elements. Things grouped closely together are perceived to be related, whereas those at a distance are believed to be different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The amount of white space between your content acts as a visual cue, showing visitors the relationship between different elements of the content. Objects can be grouped together by decreasing the white space between them, or divided by increasing it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In terms of text, the law of proximity helps us to understand text as a whole, making use of paragraphs to group ideas together. It\u2019s also useful when designing forms, placing the labels closer to the relevant field for clarity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A cluttered interface overwhelms your visitors, confusing them with too much information and losing the core message of the page in all the noise. By removing these distractions, you draw the visitors\u2019 eyes to the most important element of the page. The more white space surrounding an object, the more the eye is drawn to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n MailChimp perfected the technique of using white space to create natural hotspots in this layout. When you landed on their homepage, your eye was instantly drawn to the all-important \u201cSign Up Free\u201d call to action in the center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s also a great technique to use in text. If you wish to emphasize a certain element of text, perhaps to ensure a header really draws the attention, try increasing the spacing between its letters. This breaks the pattern of consistency and grabs readers\u2019 attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Masterful use of white space can direct the eye to move from one element to another, giving a visual cue to the hierarchy of information on the page and guiding the reader on a path through it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A popular formula is the Z-shaped layout, which mimics natural scanning habits. Readers start in the top-left corner, following a horizontal line to the right, then drop back to the bottom-left before following another horizontal line, as demonstrated in this Basecamp homepage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alternatively, an asymmetrical layout provides directional emphasis in a more unexpected, interesting form, which is great for directing focus to a particular element of the page, or even highlighting a horizontal scroll as in this example from Home Soci\u00e9t\u00e9.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While white space is mainly used as a technique for improving the user experience of a website, it also has its uses aesthetically. If you\u2019ve ever flicked through a glossy magazine like Vogue, you\u2019ll be aware of how generous use of white space gives an impression of elegance, luxury, and sophistication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Angela Roi champions a sustainable, ethical approach to luxury fashion. The abundance of white space demonstrates that the product is far more exclusive and important than the real estate of the webpage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally it\u2019s worth noting that, despite its name, white space doesn\u2019t have to be white! You can use any color, or lack of, in your negative space. You could even use a patterned or textured background or a background image.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re designing a long-scrolling site, your use of white space is key to keeping the page flowing and managing the organization, focus, and emphasis of the content. A great tip is to alternate complementary blocks of color down the page to segment different sections while maintaining the direction and flow of the content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n White space isn\u2019t wasted space\u2014it can be a website\u2019s best friend. Effective use of white space creates a design that\u2019s enjoyable, comfortable, and easy to interact with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How do you use white space in your designs? Do you have any tips to add to the list? Tell us in the comments below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Would you like to learn more about WordPress, and the various ways you can use this platform to your company\u2019s advantage? Subscribe to our newsletter\u00a0and learn more about our\u00a0managed hosting for WordPress sites<\/a>\u00a0and our\u00a0flexible hosting plans<\/a>!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Designers love it, yet website owners want to fill it. White space is often regarded as a waste of valuable screen space. Yet it isn\u2019t a waste of space! It\u2019s an essential design element and a powerful tool for effective web design. In fact, it\u2019s equally important as website content. Intelligent use of white space…<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":139978,"template":"","resource-topic":[901],"resource-role":[895,1397,903],"resource-type":[916],"class_list":["post-27467","resource","type-resource","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\n2. Organize Your Content<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
3. Create Focus and Emphasis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"mailchimp](\"https:\/\/getflywheel-images.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2018\/05\/mailchimp-white-space.png\")
<\/a>4. Structure Your Content<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"layout](\"https:\/\/getflywheel-images.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2018\/05\/basecamp-white-space.png\")
<\/a>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/getflywheel-images.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Screen-Shot-2022-09-15-at-9.49.29-AM-1024x430.png\")
5. Give an Impression of Luxury<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/getflywheel-images.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Screen-Shot-2022-09-15-at-9.40.55-AM-1024x594.png\")
6. It Doesn\u2019t Have to be White!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/getflywheel-images.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Screen-Shot-2022-09-15-at-9.43.28-AM-1024x560.png\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/getflywheel-images.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Screen-Shot-2022-09-15-at-9.46.29-AM-1024x610.png\")
Stay Educated With WP Engine<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n