In this article, you’ll discover a treasure trove of Bootstrap sidebar examples that will elevate your web development projects.
Whether you’re crafting a responsive design, fine-tuning your user interface, or ensuring seamless navigation across devices, a well-designed sidebar is indispensable.
Why should you care? A Bootstrap sidebar isn’t just a visual element—it’s a functional asset that enhances user experience and accessibility.
By the end of this article, you’ll have the skills to implement a collapsible sidebar, customize your navigation bar, and leverage the full potential of Bootstrap’s UI components.
Bootstrap Sidebar Menu Examples
Those with web development skills may be able to build their own sidebar menu. But to save time, choose a free sidebar from this list of awesome templates and adjust the code as desired.
Fixed Sidebar Templates For Desktop-Screens
Bootstrap sidebar vertical tabs hover effect
This Bootstrap sidebar sits at the left of the web page. It comes with vertical tabs and uses the hover effect.
By hovering over the tabs the text sections become visible on the web page.
Quick Bootstrap Sidebar
Author: Olumide Falomo
This Bootstrap sidebar design has various navigation menus and a fixed sidebar header. It is customizable and can meet any user requirement.
bootstrap-navbar-sidebar
Author: Mladen Plavsic
This Bootstrap 4 sidebar example comes with a fixed navbar.
The navigation bar can sit on the left, right, or top of the user interface. It’s a great design for a desktop user interface.
A Pen by Davi Souza
Author: Davi Souza
With this Bootstrap sidebar example, the navbar is immediately visible. It is a fixed sidebar located to the left of the website.
Users can easily toggle sidebar items with the click of a button.
Bootstrap Sidebar
Author: Mauricio
This Bootstrap side nav option comes with a vertical scroll bar.
The user can scroll through and see all menu items even if they don’t all fit on the screen. This is great for online shopping sites.
Add to cart interaction
Author: Virgil Pana
The standout feature of this fixed sidebar design is its add-to-cart option. When users add products to their carts, these items fall into the cart.
Users can then see the products in their carts on the same page.
Bootstrap 3 – Sidebar Layout
Author: Brenna Veen
This fixed sidebar design has a vertical scroll bar on the left side. On a small browser window, users can see the remaining menus in the sidebar.
Collapsible Sidebar Template Examples For Desktop User Interfaces
SVG Gooey Hover Menu Concept
Author: Michael Leonard
This Bootstrap sidebar design is playful. It is bound to keep visitors interested in your website.
This is due to the animated water drop movement of the sidebar.
A Pen by Attila Albert
Author: Attila Albert
Attila Albert’s Bootstrap sidebar design is beautiful and unique. This design works well for mapping and location-based websites.
The page content includes a world map built into the design and a list of places in the menu. The map displays places that users click.
pro-sidebar-template
Author: Mohamed Azouaoui
This is a responsive sidebar template that drops down. The designer based it on the Bootstrap framework.
Collapsing Sidebar
Author: Andrea
This Bootstrap 4 sidebar design is a unique collapsing sidebar. When users click on the sidebar header, the group of menus automatically dropdown.
It works well as a vertical side navbar for desktop user interfaces.
Bootstrap sidebar
Author: Rijdzuan Sampoerna
This Bootstrap navbar option has five menu items:
- Applications
- Components
- Dashboard
- Links
- Extras
Users can add more navbar items as the need arises.
BootStrap Sidebar Toggle
Author: Jamie Bowers
Vertical scrolling and a toggle button are the standout features of this sidenav example.
Adminator-admin-dashboard
Author: Aigars Silkalns
This Bootstrap 4 sidebar displays the navigation menus via colorful icons and texts. It is collapsible and minimal in design.
This helps to prevent overcrowding of the sidebar while still displaying multiple contents.
Improved user experience comes from the fluid and swift animation effects. These prevent the user from having to wait for options to load.
Offcanvas sidebar menu with a twist
Author: Devilish Alchemist
The animations within this theme are well-executed. But, some of the text becomes hidden when the sidebar collapses.
So this is best suited to sites with less page content.
CSS sidebar toggle
Author: Silvestar Bistrovic
This Bootstrap navigation sidebar has a colorful and simplistic design. With a few changes to the code, designers can use this collapsible sidebar for their website.
sidebar-menu
Author: huang.xinghui
This Bootstrap sidenav menu comes with two options for a collapsing effect.
Bootstrap Sidebar
Author: Truong Tran
This sidebar navigation design by Troung Tran contains a sidebar header with text. With this design, clicking the data toggle button will show or hide the sidenav.
Bootstrap Sidebar
Author: Hussein
Hussein’s Bootstrap sidebar design comes with a variety of navigation menus. To know more the user must click on the menu items.
Collapsible Sidebar Template Examples For Mobile User Interfaces
Secret Project
Author: Mohan Khadka
This Bootstrap sidenav design works well for a mobile app’s landing page. The screen transitions are smooth and beautifully designed to display page content.
Triangular Sidebar Menu (webkit only)
Author: Nikolay Talanov
This sidebar is a great starting point to create an interactive landing page for mobile devices and other small screens. Visitors will love this cool design concept.
With this collapsible Bootstrap sidebar, your app is sure to get people talking.
SideNav
Author: m
Here is a collapsible Bootstrap sidebar that is well suited for mobile applications.
Collapsible Sidebar
Author: Remi Cauchon
In this sidebar, there are navigation menus. As the name suggests, it collapses when one clicks the menu icon.
Users can make the menu appear again by clicking it a second time.
Elastic SVG Sidebar Material Design
Author: Nikolay Talanov
The ‘Elastic SVG Sidebar Material Design’ is for mobile applications. Users will enjoy interacting with this collapsible Bootstrap 4 sidebar design.
sidebar with Bootstrap 3
Author: pongsawat pasom
This Bootstrap sidebar includes a menu icon and a toggle bar located to the left of the page.
One can collapse the sidebar by clicking on the hamburger-style menu icon. To get the sidebar to reappear click the icon again.
Sidebar slide-in-out effect
Author: Mari Johannessen
This Bootstrap sidenav is collapsible. To make it easy to alter the design, the creator hasn’t included any content or navbar elements.
Collapsible Sidebar Template Examples For All User Interfaces
ElaAdmin
ElaAdmin is a collapsible dashboard template. It uses a colorful hamburger-styled sidebar.
This sidebar is minimal making it great for all screen types. Each icon becomes bigger when the sidebar is folded.
Bootstrap SideBar Menu
Author: Hugh Balboa
This is a simple collapsible sidebar admin menu that is suitable for all screen types.
react-motion with glamorous & glamor
Author: Kye Hohenberger
This sidebar example comes with both folding and unfolding animation in it. Since it is a Unicode design, using it on a website or application is easy.
Material Design – Sidebar (Profile menu)
Author: Sergey Kupletsky
It’s possible to use this sidebar in Bootstrap 3 projects. Its design is recognizable from the Google account page or Google Play Store page.
This is a collapsible sidebar for menu page content.
Bootstrap 4.1.3 sidebar nav
Author: Tio Jevero
This is a trendy sidebar example by Tio Jevero. It has a vertical sidenav and an attractive hover effect.
FAQs about Bootstrap sidebar templates
How do I create a responsive Bootstrap sidebar?
To create a responsive Bootstrap sidebar, use HTML5 and CSS3 for the structure and styling. Utilize Bootstrap’s grid system and classes like .d-flex, .flex-column, and .sidebar. Enhance with JavaScript for toggling. This ensures your sidebar adapts seamlessly to different screen sizes.
Can I make a collapsible sidebar in Bootstrap?
Yes, you can create a collapsible Bootstrap sidebar using Bootstrap’s JavaScript components. Incorporate the .collapse class along with a toggle button. Enhance user interaction with additional CSS3 styles for smooth animations. This setup provides a functional, space-saving navigation.
How do I style a Bootstrap sidebar with CSS?
Styling a Bootstrap sidebar involves using CSS3 to customize colors, fonts, and layout. Override default Bootstrap classes with your own CSS rules. Use classes like .bg-light, .bg-dark, or custom classes to create a visually appealing and unique sidebar design that fits your brand.
How can I add icons to my Bootstrap sidebar?
Adding icons to your Bootstrap sidebar enhances navigation. Use Font Awesome or Bootstrap Icons. Insert <i> tags with the appropriate classes within your sidebar links. This not only adds visual appeal but also improves user interface clarity.
Can I include a dropdown menu in a Bootstrap sidebar?
Absolutely! To include a dropdown menu in your Bootstrap sidebar, utilize Bootstrap’s dropdown component. Use .dropdown-menu within your sidebar and style it with CSS3. This feature enriches your sidebar, providing more navigational options without cluttering the primary view.
What is the best way to make a fixed Bootstrap sidebar?
For a fixed Bootstrap sidebar, use CSS3 position properties. Apply position: fixed; to your sidebar element. Combine with Bootstrap’s grid classes to ensure it stays in place as users scroll. This setup is ideal for persistent navigation in complex web applications.
How do I integrate Bootstrap sidebar with a navigation bar?
Integrating a Bootstrap sidebar with a navigation bar involves combining Bootstrap’s grid and flex utilities. Use .navbar for the top navigation and .sidebar for the side menu. Ensure they work harmoniously by adjusting CSS3 for cohesive design and functionality.
Are there any pre-built templates for Bootstrap sidebars?
Yes, numerous pre-built Bootstrap sidebar templates are available. Websites like Bootstrap’s official documentation, GitHub, and CodePen offer templates. These templates provide a foundation, allowing you to customize the HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript to match your project needs.
How can I ensure my Bootstrap sidebar is accessible?
Ensuring accessibility involves using ARIA roles and attributes. Label navigation elements clearly and provide keyboard navigation support. This ensures users with disabilities can easily interact with your Bootstrap sidebar, improving overall user experience and compliance with accessibility standards.
What are some advanced features I can add to a Bootstrap sidebar?
Advanced features for your Bootstrap sidebar include animated transitions, dynamic content loading with AJAX, and integrated search functionality. Use JavaScript and jQuery to enhance interaction, making your sidebar not only visually appealing but also highly functional for users.
Conclusion
Exploring Bootstrap sidebar examples reveals the incredible versatility and power of Bootstrap for creating responsive, functional web interfaces. From collapsible menus to fixed sidebars, the examples we’ve discussed demonstrate how Bootstrap’s UI components and CSS framework can be leveraged to enhance navigation and user experience.
By implementing these Bootstrap sidebar techniques, you can elevate your web development projects, ensuring that your designs are both aesthetically pleasing and highly functional. Integrating elements like dropdown menus, icons, and dynamic content not only enriches the user’s journey but also aligns with modern web design trends.
Remember, the key is in the details—use HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript to customize and perfect your sidebars, creating a seamless, responsive design. Whether you’re developing a complex application or a simple website, these sidebar examples provide a solid foundation to build upon.
If you liked this article about Bootstrap sidebars, you should check out this article about Bootstrap profiles.
There are also similar articles discussing Bootstrap carousels, Bootstrap timelines, Bootstrap search boxes, and Bootstrap menus.
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