Mar 9

Quick Tip: Increase Sidebar Spacing

Ever have two sidebar widgets (or gadgets, if you’re on Blogger) that almost run into each other? Such a small thing, but it can be really irritating if you’re picky about your design. I couldn’t STAND the fact that one of my sidebar headings was nearly touching the text above it. Here’s how to put a little extra space between widgets/gadgets in your sidebar.

On Blogger:

1. Go to Layout and click Add a Gadget in the sidebar.

2. Choose HTML/Javascript from the list.

3. In the box, type the following:

<p> </p>

4. Save the gadget and drag it between the two gadgets that are too close together.

5. You can create as many as these as you need and insert them between gadgets to increase the amount of empty space between them.

On WordPress:

1. Go to Appearance > Widgets.

2. Choose Text and drag it between the two widgets that are too close together.

3. In the box, type the following:

<p> </p>

4. Save the widget, then close it.

5. Again, you can create as many of these as you need to increase the empty space between your widgets.

Andrea Whitmer

Andrea Whitmer is a full-time freelance web designer who works exclusively with the WordPress platform. She enjoys helping individuals and small businesses create an online presence and dedicates her time to consulting and design. Connect with Andrea on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, or Instagram.

  1. Tushar Mathur 13 Mar 2024 | reply

    Excellent Tip! I usually end up adding space in the existing widgets, but this ids a better/cleaner option.

    • Andrea 13 Mar 2024 | reply

      That's how I usually do it, too, but I thought this might keep it simpler for people who aren't used to inserting code. Plus there are some widgets that don't allow you to add anything, so this is a method that always works.

  2. aloysa2000 21 Mar 2024 | reply

    This is awesome. I did not know it. Sometimes I was wondering if there is a possibility increase space. Wow! It is easier than I thought. Thank you!

  3. Bonnie 28 Mar 2024 | reply

    I have the opposite problem. I have a huge space between the gadgets that I’d like to get rid of. My sidebar extends far below my posts. I am wondering if you might help me. I have no programming experience.

    My site is: http://cityhomecountryhome.blogspot.com

    Thanks for any advice.
    Bonnie Barker

    • Andrea Whitmer 28 Mar 2024 | reply

      Hi Bonnie,

      Without logging into your Blogger account, it’s hard to see what’s causing the issue. It looks like either (1) your content width + sidebar width is wider than your template or (2) something isn’t coded correctly in one of your gadgets. There are a couple of Javascript errors on the site but I’m not able to tell what’s causing them.

  4. Merri 28 Apr 2024 | reply

    Thank you, Andrea! This worked great and was so much simpler than trying to deal with changing the CSS like was mentioned in some WordPress forums.

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