How to use white space in web design

While website owners often view it as wasted space, white space is actually an essential design element. Let’s explore some of the best ways to utilise white space to create a balanced design.

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Content Organisation
White space can be used to visually explain to visitors which elements of your website are connected. For example, when creating forms there should be less white space between labels and their relevant field and slightly more white space between different labels. This will improve overall clarity and ultimately increase the amount of information you’ll collect.

2. Text Readability

When text doesn’t have room to breathe, it’s difficult to read and can quickly overwhelm visitors. However, when text is spaced too far apart, readers can easily lose their place and give up before you’ve had the opportunity to convey your message. As this research article explains, when white space is applied correctly to text, it significantly improves user satisfaction.

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Emphasise Certain Elements
Cluttered websites are instantly overwhelming, which can be confusing for your visitors and will ultimately prevent you from communicating your core messaging efficiently and effectively. White space can be used to draw the eye to the most important part of each page, allowing you to highlight key imagery, headers or CTA buttons.

4. White space doesn’t need to be white

Switching white space for blocks of colour that reflect your branding can be an excellent way to personalise your website whilst also providing content with the breathing room it requires to shine. When looking for teams offering website design Surrey, such as akikodesign.com/design/web-and-digital, make sure that they will take the time to understand your brand identity, as this will ensure your website accurately tells your story and resonates with your audience.

5. Lean into Luxury

If you have ever looked through a high-end fashion magazine, you will likely have noticed that each page contains a lot of white space. By surrounding elements with ample amounts of white space, you’re communicating to your audience that what you can offer is more important, exclusive and valuable than your webpage’s real estate.