Design Sidebars and Navigation Panels
Navigation & IA · navigation, sidebars
Updated 2026-07-28
- Sidebars should help users move through the product, not compete with the main content.
- Keep navigation categories clear:
- Group related destinations.
- Avoid overwhelming users with every option.
- Show location:
- Highlight the active section.
- Keep navigation state visible.
- Support collapse when appropriate:
- Preserve access to labels.
- Do not force users to remember icons.
- On mobile:
- Replace sidebars with appropriate patterns.
- Prioritize the most common actions.
- Navigation should answer:
- Where am I?
- Where can I go?
- What matters most?
Related guides
UX Handbook