Last Updated: September 2, 2026
Web Design: Given all of the drama, panic, and fear that has dominated 2020, we see brands reducing their use of color in 2021. Businesses, their customers, and the general population have had to adapt. And we may need to do more as we prepare for what the new normal will be, whatever that new normal is. It also applies to web designers.
While design trends can change over time, some are more or less persistent. If they change at all, change is slow while the newer ones can suddenly impose on us.
None of the following 3 new web design trends for 2021 expect to cause web designers any heartache. These are not radical ideas that modify the mind. They make sense; they’re not difficult to implement and even suggest that the new standard improve the old.
We’ll show you examples of websites that already include some of these new trends, as well as a selection of pre-built BeTheme websites that also integrate.
Web design trends are often influenced by changes in technology, consumer behaviour and expectations. While visual style is important, designers also need to think about usability, accessibility, mobile responsiveness and website performance. A trend is most useful when it improves the visitor’s experience rather than simply making a website look different.
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Table of Contents
1. Use Calming And Calming Color Palettes
Solid and bold color palettes and a variety of color gradients have been showcased in recent web design firm trends to grab visitors’ attention.
We’re fed up with the stress, tension, and screaming associated with the “normal” 2020 and are more than ready to move on to quieter times and softer, more toned color palettes.
Bellroy’s website is an excellent example of a toned-down look. You can almost smell the leather in its practical everyday products.
Note the effect of the weakened background on the colored object. The object still pops out as it should, but without crying out for your attention.
The pre-designed color scheme of the BeSpa website provides another example of sending a message that is calm, inspiring, and, most importantly, doesn’t scream for attention.
This calm and pleasant imagery evokes pleasant feelings that live in the moment; Feelings of well-being, security, and sensations invite the visitor to go further.
A restrained colour palette can also make it easier for visitors to focus on important content. Designers can use contrast strategically for buttons, headings, product information and calls to action without filling the entire page with competing colours.
However, using fewer colours does not mean ignoring branding. A business should still maintain a recognisable visual identity across its website, social media channels and other digital platforms.
For more inspiration when choosing a website theme and its visual appearance, you can also explore our guide to 5 Best WordPress Themes.
2. Easily Combine Physical And Digital Images
Many new telecommuters stuck at home with little to do in 2020 other than staring at their screens. It has led to a more excellent fusion of their physical life with the digital world.
Some web designers have taken note of this change of scenery and have started to mix graphics and special effects with real images, as is the case with the site of fashion designer Constance Burke:
Combining physical photography with digital elements can give a website a distinctive appearance. Instead of presenting photographs, illustrations and graphics as completely separate elements, designers can layer them together to create more engaging compositions.
This approach can be particularly effective for creative businesses, fashion brands, agencies and online retailers. A carefully positioned graphic element can draw attention towards a product or important piece of information while maintaining the personality of the brand.
At the same time, designers should avoid adding visual effects simply because they are fashionable. Large animations, unnecessary graphics or heavy media can affect loading times and make a website harder to navigate, particularly for users on mobile connections.
This is where development knowledge becomes valuable. Designers and developers need to work together to ensure that visual effects do not compromise usability or performance. For more information about the role and skills of developers, see our guide to Developer in 2024.
3. Create More User-Friendly And Efficient Online Shopping Experiences
In 2020, we saw a boom in online shopping, which expects to continue and accelerate. With more people shopping online than ever before, eCommerce sites need to provide visitors with efficient and easy-to-understand conversion routes.
When they’re in a physical store and know what they want, shoppers want to get on and off as quickly as possible. If they’re not sure what they want or are just looking for, they still need help or suggestions to help them compare or choose.
The Walgreens product page design is an excellent example of what buyers will want from an eCommerce website design in 2021:
A potential buyer needs to know upfront, and other helpful information like specials, discounts, and customer reviews top the list. If a purchase needs to make, the following steps present.
BePestControl’s predefined website uses a similar method:
In this example, a buyer can select directly into the cart or read the additional information under the button first. BePestControl highlights the importance of using simple navigation aids to make shopping a more satisfying experience in 2021.
An effective eCommerce design should make the buying process straightforward. Product information, pricing, availability, delivery details, returns policies and customer reviews should be easy to find. Navigation should also help customers move between categories and products without unnecessary clicks.
For businesses considering an eCommerce platform, our Essential Guide to Shopify Web Design in 2022 provides additional information about themes, branding, navigation and other website design considerations.
Make Mobile Shopping a Priority
The growth of mobile browsing also means that eCommerce designers cannot focus exclusively on desktop screens. Product pages, menus, forms, shopping carts and checkout processes should work comfortably on smaller displays.
Buttons need to be easy to tap, text should remain readable and important information should not be hidden behind complicated navigation. A responsive design should adapt to different screen sizes without making the shopping experience confusing.
Google Search Central recommends responsive web design as a practical approach for creating websites that work effectively across different devices.
Keep Security in Mind
An attractive website is only part of a successful online presence. Security should also be considered when designing and maintaining a website, particularly when customers create accounts or provide personal and payment information.
Website owners should keep their software updated, use secure connections and limit unnecessary access. For websites built with WordPress, you can read our guide on Promote Security on Your WordPress Site for additional security practices.
What Makes These Trends Useful?
The three trends discussed above have something important in common: they focus on the visitor.
Calmer colours can make an interface feel less overwhelming. Combining physical and digital imagery can give a brand a distinctive visual identity. Meanwhile, efficient eCommerce experiences can reduce friction and help customers find what they need.
However, trends should never replace the fundamentals of good web design. A website should remain easy to navigate, accessible, responsive and reasonably fast. The design should also support the purpose of the website instead of distracting visitors from its content.
Balance Trends With Functionality
It can be tempting to adopt every new web design trend, but not every trend will suit every business. A financial website, online shop, portfolio and news publication may all require different approaches.
The best design decisions are those that combine visual appeal with practical functionality. Before introducing a new colour scheme, animation or layout, consider whether it helps visitors accomplish what they came to do.
Final Thoughts
The web design trends of 2021 reflected a changing digital environment. Calming colour palettes, the combination of physical and digital imagery, and more efficient online shopping experiences all responded to changing user expectations.
Although specific visual trends will inevitably change, the underlying principles remain useful. Visitors want websites that are clear, responsive, visually appealing and easy to use.
Whether you are building a WordPress website, an eCommerce store or a completely custom digital experience, focus on the needs of your audience first. Use trends as tools to improve the experience rather than treating them as rules that every website must follow.