5 Creative Blog Layout Ideas for Squarespace
Transform your blog from template-standard to editorial-style with these unique code components designed to showcase your content beautifully.
5 Creative Blog Layout Ideas for Squarespace
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Squarespace
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Most blog pages you see online follow the same predictable pattern: blog cards arranged in simple grids or columns. While Squarespace's built-in options work perfectly fine, they don't have to be your only choice. With a few thoughtful code additions, you can create something that feels more editorial and uniquely yours.
In this post, we'll explore what's possible with Squarespace's visual editor first, then dive into five signature Squarestylist code components that completely transform how your blog looks and feels, just like magic.
Working with Squarespace's Built-in Options
Before we get into custom code, let's appreciate what Squarespace gives us right out of the box. The visual style editor makes it easy to customize your blog without any coding:
Adjust fonts, colors, and spacing across your entire site
Choose from different blog layouts like grid, side-by-side, or single column
Control the number of columns and overall structure
Toggle elements like author bylines, dates, categories, and tags
Modify placement of blog titles and metadata
Add thumbnail images, excerpts, or full post previews
These built-in options can take you pretty far, especially when you're strategic about combining them.
Simple Workarounds Using Existing Features
Sometimes the most elegant solutions come from creatively combining Squarespace's existing blocks:
Summary blocks on custom landing pages let you create entirely different layouts for showcasing your posts
Different styling between your main blog page and individual posts creates varied reading experiences
These approaches work well when you want something different but aren't ready to dive into custom CSS yet.
When You're Ready for Custom Code
If you want your blog to look truly distinct from templates, custom CSS opens up much more creative control:
Custom styling and filtering for tags and categories
Unique hover effects on blog images
Don't let the word "code" intimidate you—you can get started by simply copying and pasting code snippets. I keep all my favorite techniques organized in what I call my Code Toolkit, making it easy to search and apply them to new projects.
5 Plug-and-Play Blog Layout Components
Here are my favorite code components for creating blogs that feel editorial and unexpected:
1. Blog Stacked List
This typography-focused layout stacks your blog titles in elegant layers, perfect for showcasing a beautiful type system. It's ideal when your content is text-heavy and you want the titles to be the main attraction.
2. Blog Feature Grid
Creates an editorial magazine feel with your most recent post displayed prominently on the left while visitors scroll through the rest on the right, creating a nice focal hierarchy.
3. Blog List Follow Cursor
Adds subtle interactivity as thumbnail images appear and follow the cursor when hovering over post titles. It's playful without being overwhelming—a small detail that makes browsing feel more engaging.
4. Blog List Carousel
Transforms your standard grid into a smooth horizontal carousel that visitors can drag through or navigate with arrows and pagination. The layout automatically adapts to mobile, showing one post per slide for easy browsing.
5. Blog List Expand
Creates a dynamic expand-on-hover effect where images reveal themselves as visitors explore your post titles. It's unexpected and memorable without being distracting.
Why Code Your Blog Layouts?
The advantage of using custom CSS over workarounds like summary blocks is that you keep all of Squarespace's built-in functionality. Your visitors can still navigate to older posts, use pagination, and access all the features they expect from a blog while experiencing your unique design vision.
All of these techniques are available in our Standout Squarespace Code Toolkit, where they come with step-by-step video walkthroughs to help you implement them confidently. If you're just looking to try one or two specific layouts, they're also available individually in our Code Components Shop.
The goal isn't to make your blog complicated—it's to make it feel intentionally crafted. When visitors land on a blog that clearly reflects the creator's aesthetic vision, they're more likely to stay, explore, and remember what they found.
Which of these layouts speaks to your creative vision? I'd love to hear about your favorite approach in the comments below.