Top 10 web design trends for 2025

We’re about to enter 2025 very soon. It’s basically around the corner. And, what do we do each end of the year? Right, prepare a list of trends for the upcoming year that will help us keep up with the speeding train called Innovation. 

With the average New Year's resolution lasting only three months, it's crucial to make updating your company's website a priority, not a fleeting goal. In this article, we'll explore the top 10 web design trends for 2025, from custom illustrations to embedded videos.

Web design trends and the importance of keeping up

Doesn’t matter if we like it or not, this still rings true - web design trends evolve quickly, much like fashion or technology, and staying updated can significantly impact how your audience views your brand. Modern web design focuses on being responsive, mobile-friendly, engaging, and accessible to everyone. 

By adopting the latest trends, you can quickly enhance user experience, keep visitors on your site longer, and stand out much better among your competitors (especially those lagging behind). 

In a time when making a strong impression is more important than ever, combining images, typography, and layouts can tell a compelling story that connects with your audience emotionally, not just intellectually.

Web design trends 2025: Top 10 list 

So, here’s our prognosis of what will be trendy next year in web design.

1. Custom illustrations

Gone are the days of generic stock images. Custom illustrations are transforming websites into vibrant canvases. They continue to take center stage because they allow brands to showcase their unique personality and style. 

Whimsical characters, detailed landscapes, or abstract designs add a distinctive touch that static images or text alone fail to achieve.

Custom illustrations often feature:

1. Fine lines and hidden details. Intricate illustrations contain fine lines, hidden details, gradients, patterns, or massive scenes that make them beautiful and engaging.
2. Variety of styles. Styles can vary widely, from cartoonish to realistic, with one commonality – a superior level of detail.
3. Color and texture. Custom illustrations often incorporate color, texture, and elements of realism to create a unique visual experience.
4. Minimal animation. Some custom illustrations may include minimal animation to enhance the user experience.

2. White/negative space

Don't be afraid of the void! White or negative space is a deliberate design choice that can greatly enhance user experience. By stripping away clutter and embracing empty space, designers can create a clean, modern look that guides users' attention to the most important elements.

White space refers to the empty areas between elements on a webpage, such as text, images, and buttons. It's the space that's not occupied by any content.

Designing a website that emphasizes negative space involves carefully balancing content with those areas to create a clean and delightfully uncluttered layout.

Balance is crucial. Too much white space can make a website feel empty, while too little can make it feel cluttered. You need to find the right balance to create a clean and professional look.

A good example is Apple’s website. They use strategic spacing to highlight key elements like product images and call-to-action buttons, creating a clean and easy-to-navigate layout.

3. AI gimmicks

AI-powered features are becoming increasingly popular. By 2025, AI tools will play a big role in creating and maintaining websites.

While some may view these gimmicks as mere novelties, they can still significantly enhance user engagement. In web design, AI can assist with creating layouts, generating images, writing copy, and even building entire websites.

Platforms like Wix and Framer use AI to let you create websites by simply typing what you want. You don’t need to know how to code. Divi, another website builder, uses AI to help generate images, text, and different parts of your website automatically.

AI also helps by handling repetitive tasks like adjusting images and choosing colors. This not only speeds up the design process but also ensures your website looks the same on all pages, which strengthens your brand’s identity.

4. Clean and minimal vibe

The minimal and clean vibe is still the design mantra for 2025. Cut the clutter - use clean layouts, familiar shapes, and ample white space to highlight what matters most. This approach not only looks elegant but also improves user experience by making navigation intuitive and pages faster to load.

Minimalist designs are also practical. They speed up page loading times (crucial when users expect sites to load in under three seconds) and help focus attention on key elements. Whether it’s a simple homepage with a striking image and bold call to action or a clean product display, minimalism drives engagement and reduces bounce rates.

For a bold take on minimalism, minimalistic brutalism combines raw, striking elements like monochromatic palettes and bold typography with minimalist principles, creating a clean yet edgy aesthetic that stands out while keeping the focus on content.

Minimalism now reflects how users prefer to interact with digital spaces. Clean, uncluttered designs align with user preferences, with 84.6% of people favoring simplicity. 

5. Light and dark mode options

Since around 2020, dark mode has been gaining traction and is now featured on over 55% of websites. The debate between light and dark modes has been ongoing, but in 2025, it's all about offering users a choice. 

By incorporating a toggle switch, designers can better adjust to individual preferences and provide an optimal viewing experience. Whether you're a fan of bright and airy or dark and moody, having the option is what matters most.

However, implementing light and dark modes isn’t as simple as flipping from black to white. A successful design requires carefully crafted color palettes for both modes to ensure consistency and visual appeal. 

Each mode should have its own set of colors that work well together, providing a seamless transition and maintaining the brand’s identity in both settings.

6. Micro-interactions

Did you know that the average person spends only about 45 seconds on a website? With attention spans shrinking, you need every second on your website to count. Instead of just scrolling through pages, users can engage with different parts of your website, making their experience more memorable. 

Micro-interactions are the subtle animations and effects that respond to user interactions. These tiny details make your site easier to use by providing feedback and guiding users.

Micro-interactions can subtly prompt users to take certain actions, create enjoyable moments, and improve overall usability. In 2025, we'll see more thoughtful micro-interactions that enhance user experience in subtle ways.

Here are some common micro-interactions you might see on modern websites:

• Hover animations. When you move your mouse over a button or link, it might change color or slightly grow in size.
• Swipe features. On mobile devices, swiping can reveal more options or navigate between different sections.
• Scrolling gestures. Smooth transitions as you scroll can make moving through content feel seamless.
• Dynamic tables and graphs. Interactive charts that update in real-time as you interact with them.
• Interactive tools. Calculators, sliders, or other tools that respond to user input.
• Voice commands. Users can navigate or interact using their voice.

7. Quirky and bold fonts

Typography is a way to show your brand's personality. This year, expect to see bigger and more expressive text styles. Large, creative fonts can grab attention and effectively convey feelings. 

Using unusual and experimental typography can for sure make your site unique and memorable. Quirky and custom typography is also making a comeback, allowing designers to inject personality and whimsy into their text.

Typography trends to watch in 2025:

• Bold and expressive fonts. Large, eye-catching typefaces that make a strong statement.
• Contrasting typefaces. Combining different styles to create visual interest.
• Kinetic typography. Animated text that moves or changes to capture attention.
• Experimental and hand-drawn fonts. Fonts with unique shapes and designs that add character and originality.

8. Playful animations

Animations are no longer just for flashy websites. Subtle, playful animations can add a layer of engagement and delight to the user experience.

Animations can help users understand how to use your site, like showing how to fill out a form or highlighting a product feature. 

Small animations, such as a button that lights up when you hover over it, provide feedback and enhance interaction. But it's important to use animations wisely so they add to the experience without being distracting. 

Overall, in 2025, expect to see more interactive and “choose your own adventure” styles of navigation that invite users to engage deeply with the content.

9. Anti-trends and human focus

Anti-trends are all about rejecting the status quo and embracing a more authentic approach. This trend is about breaking the usual design rules and adding human touches to your site. Known as anti-design or brutalism, it uses uneven layouts, clashing colors, and raw elements to stand out. 

This approach celebrates imperfections, making your site feel more personal and authentic compared to overly polished designs.

By going against the grain, you can create a unique experience that connects with users looking for something real. It's about being honest and showing character. 

In 2025, expect designers to mix boldness with simplicity, using tools like 3D design software to create interactive and authentic experiences without falling into repetitive patterns.

10. Smart and engaging embedded videos

Adding videos to your website can turn it into a powerful storytelling tool. Videos are engaging and can share messages more effectively than text or images alone. They can show off products, tell your brand's story, or provide valuable information to your visitors.

Thoughtfully placed videos can greatly increase user engagement and keep people on your site longer. It can be a background video on your homepage or a helpful tutorial on a product page - nicely chosen videos will make your site more dynamic and interactive. Just make sure your videos serve a purpose and are high quality to truly add value.

How to use these trends to make your website better in 2025

To make your website better in 2025, start by choosing a few trends that fit your brand's personality and goals. For example, you could use custom illustrations to add a unique touch, add some tasteful white space to create a clean and modern look, or even dare to include some quirky and bold fonts to grab attention.

Don't be afraid to get creative and try out new things, like micro-interactions, playful animations, and embedded videos. These elements can add a layer of engagement and delight to your website, making it more enjoyable for users to interact with. Just remember to use them wisely so they enhance the user experience rather than distract from it.

Most importantly, make sure your website is designed with the user in mind. If you want to add a professional touch, don’t hesitate to reach out to Merge.