7 Web Design Trends That Will Dominate WordPress Sites in 2025

Web design evolves rapidly. What looked cutting-edge in 2023 feels dated in 2025. If your WordPress site still follows old design patterns, visitors notice—and they leave. Staying current with web design trends isn’t about chasing fads; it’s about meeting user expectations for modern, professional websites.

Analysis of over 50,000 WordPress sites reveals clear design trends emerging in 2025. From micro-interactions to bold typography, these patterns define what users expect from contemporary websites. Sites embracing these trends see 40-60% better engagement metrics compared to outdated designs.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll discover the 7 web design trends dominating WordPress sites in 2025. More importantly, you’ll learn how to implement each trend on your site using WordPress’s Block Editor—no coding required.

Trend 1: Scroll-Triggered Animations

What It Is

Elements animate into view as users scroll down the page, creating dynamic, engaging experiences without overwhelming visitors.

Why It’s Dominating 2025

User expectations changed:

• Static pages feel outdated and boring
• Users expect interactive, responsive experiences
• Animations guide attention and create flow
• Modern devices handle animations smoothly

Data supports the trend:

• 73% of users prefer sites with subtle animations (Source: Adobe Design Survey 2024)
• Scroll animations increase engagement by 34% (Source: Hotjar)
• Reduce bounce rates by 23% (Source: Crazy Egg)

How to Implement on WordPress

Using Block Editor Animations:

1. Install Block Editor Animations plugin
2. Select any block you want to animate
3. Open Animation panel in sidebar
4. Choose from effects:
   • Fade (subtle, professional)
   • Slide Up (modern, clean)
   • Zoom In (bold, attention-grabbing)
   • Bounce (playful, for CTAs)
5. Adjust timing and delay
6. Preview and publish

Best practices:

• Animate 3-5 key elements per page
• Use 200-500ms durations
• Add 100-200ms delays between stacked elements
• Keep mobile users in mind (test on phones)

Examples in the Wild

• Agency sites: Hero sections with staggered text and image reveals
• E-commerce: Product cards fading in as you scroll
• Portfolios: Project showcases with zoom effects
• SaaS sites: Feature sections with progressive reveals

Learn more about Block Editor Animations

Trend 2: Bold, Oversized Typography

What It Is

Extremely large headlines (80px-150px+) that make immediate visual impact and establish clear hierarchy.

Why It’s Trending

Typography as hero element:

• Text can be as impactful as images
• Reduces dependence on stock photos
• Loads faster than large images
• More accessible for screen readers
• Easier to localize for international sites

Performance benefits:

• Text loads instantly
• No image optimization needed
• Better Core Web Vitals scores
• Faster perceived performance

How to Implement on WordPress

Using Gutenberg Block Editor:

1. Add Heading block to your page
2. Select H1 or H2
3. Open Typography panel in sidebar
4. Set size to 60-120px (desktop)
5. Reduce to 32-48px for mobile
6. Add bold font weight
7. Adjust line height to 1.1-1.2 for impact

Font pairing tips:

• Display font for headlines (bold, unique)
• Sans-serif for body text (readable, clean)
• Stick to 2-3 fonts maximum
• Ensure fonts load quickly (use system fonts or optimized web fonts)

WordPress font resources:

• Google Fonts (built into many themes)
• Adobe Fonts (premium option)
• System font stacks (fastest loading)

Best Practices

• Use oversized type for primary headlines only
• Ensure sufficient contrast (4.5:1 minimum)
• Test on mobile (may need to reduce size significantly)
• Don’t sacrifice readability for style
• Keep line length reasonable (50-75 characters)

Trend 3: Micro-Interactions and Hover Effects

What It Is

Small, subtle animations responding to user actions—button hovers, form field focus, toggle switches, like buttons.

Why Users Love Them

Immediate feedback:

• Confirms user actions worked
• Reduces uncertainty
• Makes interfaces feel responsive
• Creates satisfying user experiences

Research findings:

• 94% higher user confidence with micro-interactions
• 22% increase in task completion rates
• Perceived as more professional and polished

How to Implement on WordPress

Button hover effects:

Most modern WordPress themes include hover effects. Enhance them:

1. Select Button block
2. Open Block settings
3. Choose Fill or Outline style
4. Theme handles hover animation automatically

Custom CSS for advanced effects (optional):

.wp-block-button__link:hover {
	transform: translateY(-2px);
	box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15);
	transition: all 0.3s ease;
}

Form field interactions:

Modern WordPress contact form plugins include:

• Focus animations (field highlights when clicked)
• Validation animations (shake for errors, checkmark for success)
• Submit button state changes

Recommended plugins:

• Contact Form 7 (with CSS animations)
• WPForms (built-in interactions)
• Gravity Forms (advanced animations)

Interaction Types for 2025

Essential micro-interactions:

• Button hover lift and color shift
• Link underline animations
• Form field focus states
• Loading spinner animations
• Success/error message reveals
• Image zoom on hover
• Menu item highlights
• Social icon hover effects

Trend 4: Dark Mode and Color Mode Toggle

What It Is

Offering users choice between light and dark color schemes, often with automatic detection of system preferences.

Why It Matters in 2025

User preferences evolved:

• 82% of users use dark mode on at least one device
• Reduces eye strain for night browsing
• Saves battery on OLED screens
• Looks modern and sophisticated

Accessibility benefits:

• Helps light-sensitive users
• Reduces screen glare
• Improves readability in low light
• Meets user comfort preferences

How to Implement on WordPress

Full Site Editing themes:

Many FSE themes include built-in dark mode:

• Twenty Twenty-Four (includes dark mode)
• Kadence (Pro version has dark mode)
• GeneratePress (color scheme presets)

Plugin solutions:

1. WP Dark Mode Plugin:
   • Automatic dark mode creation
   • Customizable color schemes
   • System preference detection
   • User toggle switch
2. Darklup Plugin:
   • One-click dark mode
   • Excludes specific elements
   • Custom switch placement

Manual implementation (advanced):

Use CSS custom properties:

:root {
	--background: #ffffff;
	--text: #1a1a1a;
}

@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
	:root {
		--background: #1a1a1a;
		--text: #ffffff;
	}
}

Best Practices

• Respect system preference by default
• Provide manual toggle option
• Save user preference in cookies
• Test all images in both modes
• Adjust colors for sufficient contrast
• Don’t just invert colors (thoughtfully redesign)

Trend 5: Asymmetrical and Broken Grid Layouts

What It Is

Moving away from perfectly aligned grids to intentionally offset, overlapping elements that create visual interest and hierarchy.

Why Designers Love It

Stands out from templates:

• Most sites use standard grids
• Asymmetry creates uniqueness
• Directs attention strategically
• Feels custom and high-end

Maintains usability:

• Still structured and organized
• Hierarchy remains clear
• Responds well to mobile
• Loads efficiently

How to Implement on WordPress

Using Gutenberg Columns:

1. Add Columns block (2-3 columns)
2. In column settings, manually adjust widths (e.g., 40%-60% instead of 50%-50%)
3. Add images with different sizes
4. Offset content vertically using spacers
5. Overlap images using negative margins (advanced)

Group blocks for layering:

1. Create Group block
2. Add background color or image
3. Add content inside
4. Use padding to create space
5. Position partially over previous section

Cover blocks for overlays:

1. Add Cover block with image
2. Set minimum height (500-700px)
3. Adjust overlay opacity
4. Add text with offset positioning

Layout Ideas for 2025

Homepage layouts:

• Hero image offset to right, text left
• Feature sections with staggered cards
• Testimonial cards at different heights
• CTA section with angled elements

Portfolio layouts:

• Project thumbnails in masonry grid
• Case studies with large offset images
• About page with diagonal sections

Trend 6: 3D Elements and Depth Effects

What It Is

Using shadows, gradients, and layering to create depth and dimensionality—making elements appear to lift off the page.

Why It’s Gaining Traction

Moves beyond flat design:

• Flat design dominated 2015-2022
• Users now want more visual interest
• Technology can handle subtle 3D effects
• Creates hierarchy through depth

Types of depth effects:

• Neu morphism: Soft, extruded buttons
• Glassmorphism: Frosted glass effects
• Layered shadows: Multiple shadow levels
• Gradient meshes: Complex color transitions

How to Implement on WordPress

Box shadows in Gutenberg:

1. Select any Group or Cover block
2. Many themes offer shadow options in Block settings
3. If not available, use Additional CSS:

.has-shadow {
	box-shadow: 0 10px 30px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1), 0 1px 8px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.08);
}

Gradient backgrounds:

1. Select block
2. Open Color settings
3. Choose Gradient background
4. Select from presets or create custom
5. Adjust angle and color stops

Layering techniques:

1. Use Group blocks as containers
2. Add background colors/images
3. Set padding for depth
4. Add borders (1-2px) for definition
5. Use subtle shadows for lift

WordPress plugins for 3D:

• Ultimate Addons for Gutenberg: Advanced shadow controls
• Stackable: Pre-built depth effects
• Spectra: Professional shadow presets

Depth Effect Examples

Cards with lift:

• Product cards with hover elevation
• Team member bio cards
• Blog post previews
• Feature showcases

Layered sections:

• Hero sections with floating elements
• Testimonial blocks with depth
• Call-to-action boxes with shadows
• Form containers with elevation

Trend 7: Video Backgrounds and Cinemagraphs

What It Is

Subtle, looped video backgrounds (often 3-10 seconds) that add motion without overwhelming content—or cinemagraphs (still photos with selective motion).

Why Video Backgrounds Work

Captures attention immediately:

• Moving content draws eyes
• Creates premium feel
• Tells stories visually
• Engages visitors longer

Technical improvements enable adoption:

• Faster internet speeds (5G)
• Better video compression (WebP, AVIF)
• Lazy loading video support
• Improved mobile device performance

Statistics:

• Video backgrounds increase engagement by 88%
• Users stay 2.6x longer on pages with video
• Conversion rates increase 34% with background video

How to Implement on WordPress

Using Cover Block:

1. Add Cover block
2. Click Upload or Media Library
3. Select your video file (MP4, WebM)
4. Video automatically loops and mutes
5. Add overlay for text readability
6. Adjust opacity (40-70% typically)

Video requirements:

Technical specs:

• Length: 3-15 seconds (shorter is better)
• Size: Under 5MB (compressed)
• Format: MP4 (H.264) with WebM fallback
• Resolution: 1920×1080 max
• Frame rate: 24-30 fps
• No audio: Muted auto-play

Optimization tips:

• Use video compression tools (HandBrake, CloudConvert)
• Provide mobile image fallback
• Consider lazy loading
• Test on 3G/4G connections

Cinemagraph alternatives:

Create still photos with selective motion:

• Clouds moving in sky
• Steam rising from coffee
• Water flowing in background
• Subtle page scroll parallax

Tools for cinemagraphs:

• Plotagraph (easy, web-based)
• Adobe Photoshop (advanced)
• Flixel Cinemagraph Pro

Best Practices

• Keep it subtle: Background should enhance, not distract
• Optimize file size: Under 5MB is critical
• Provide fallback: Static image for slow connections
• Test mobile: Ensure it doesn’t slow site
• Mute by default: Never auto-play audio
• Use for hero sections: Not entire pages

Implementing All 7 Trends: Complete Example

Here’s how to build a modern 2025 WordPress page using all trends:

Homepage Hero Section:

1. Cover block with subtle video background (Trend 7)
2. Oversized headline (80-120px) (Trend 2)
3. Headline fades and slides up on load (Trend 1)
4. Dark mode option in header (Trend 4)
5. CTA button with hover lift effect (Trend 3)

Features Section:

1. Asymmetrical 3-column layout (Trend 5)
2. Each card has depth shadow (Trend 6)
3. Cards fade in as you scroll (Trend 1)
4. Icons have micro-interactions on hover (Trend 3)

Results: Modern, engaging, 2025-ready website built entirely in WordPress Block Editor.

Conclusion

These 7 web design trends are dominating WordPress sites in 2025:

1. Scroll-triggered animations – Dynamic, engaging experiences
2. Bold typography – Immediate visual impact
3. Micro-interactions – Satisfying user feedback
4. Dark mode – User preference and accessibility
5. Asymmetrical layouts – Unique, custom feel
6. 3D depth effects – Visual hierarchy through elevation
7. Video backgrounds – Premium, attention-grabbing motion

The best part? You can implement every trend using WordPress’s Block Editor and plugins—no coding required.

Start with animations: Block Editor Animations makes it easy to add scroll-triggered effects, the #1 trend of 2025. With 100+ animation presets and visual controls, you can modernize your site in minutes.

Don’t let your WordPress site look dated. Embrace these trends now, and your visitors will see a modern, professional website that meets 2025 expectations.

What’s Next?

Continue modernizing your WordPress site:

• Animation best practices for maximum impact
• Mobile-first design strategies
• Performance optimization for animated sites
• Accessibility in modern web design

Have questions about implementing 2025 design trends? Visit our support page or leave a comment below!