How to Use Whitespace and Colour in Web Design

Web design is not just about words and images. Effective use of whitespace and colour can greatly enhance the aesthetics, usability and personality of a website. Here are some tips on utilising these powerful elements.

Mind the White Space

Whitespace, also known as negative space, refers to the empty area between elements on a webpage. If used thoughtfully, it can significantly improve legibility and navigation. Work with an experienced website designer like Vudu Digital for best results.

• Use generous spacing between paragraphs, headlines, images and other blocks of content. This gives the eyes a rest from dense text.
• Strategic whitespace creates visual hierarchy, drawing attention to important elements like headlines and calls to action.
• Space out the navigation menu items evenly. Don’t cramp them too close together. 
• Similarly, provide enough padding within buttons and around iconography. 
• Leave breathing room on the sides and avoid text spanning the full width on large displays.
• On mobile, increase line-height and whitespace between tap targets to improve usability.

Guide the Eye with Colour

Colour greatly impacts visual flow and the emotional response of users. Follow some basic principles to use colour effectively.

• Stick to one base colour and one or two accent colours. Too many colours fight for attention.
• Make sure there is adequate contrast between text and background colours. Dark grey on light grey is not legible. 
• Use colour to distinguish interactive elements like links, buttons and tabs. Blue is commonly used for links.
• Coloured backgrounds can denote different sections like services, product pages, etc.
• Limit brightly coloured objects as they attract the most attention. Use them deliberately on calls to action.
• Don’t rely on colour alone to convey meaning. Colourblind users may miss cues.

White Space and Layouts

Whitespace takes on greater significance in website layouts and grids. 

• In magazine-style multi-column layouts, generous gutters between columns allow for better flow.
• Margins around page boundaries prevent content from looking cramped.
• Strategically placed empty columns or rows can direct attention or divide sections. 
• For long-scrolling pages, intermittent whitespace provides visual relief. 

Best Practices and Examples

Here are some additional tips for harnessing whitespace and colour effectively:

• Observe where your eye travels on existing websites to understand the power of whitespace.
• Review web design style guides for spacing rules like padding widths or ideal line lengths.
• Ensure colour contrast passes accessibility guidelines for visibility. 
• Pick accent colours that align with brand messaging and psychology. 
• Use white space to establish relationships, proximity and alignment between elements. 
• Leverage whitespace to pace content consumption and avoid information overload.
• Study how leading brands use strategically placed whitespace.
• Analyse websites with effective and harmonious colour schemes.
• Use white space creatively to add depth, motion and visual interest.
• Consider cultural contexts and colour symbolism for global sites.

Employing whitespace and colour thoughtfully takes time and practice. By mastering these elements, designers can guide users effectively and create visually appealing websites. Studying examples and implementing best practices will hone your skills.