Blurred Backgrounds as a Web Design Trend

Blurred backgrounds have become popular on the web, riding on the trend to large images. Blurred backgrounds are characterized by soft colors and faded, unclear photo backgrounds. Page loading times tend to be faster as the image resolution in a blurred image does not have to be as high as an in-focus image. Text (or a sharp-focus foreground image) on top of a blurred image is more readable than text overlaid on a sharp or detailed image. The blurred background image does not distract attention from the main content.

Runner Responsive Website Template

When can you use a blurred background? When you want to create excitement; when you want to leave something to the imagination; when you’re hinting at the future without disclosing too many details…  such as a project , through a “Work in progress” page; a performance; a product, app or website to be launched, through a “Coming soon” landing page;  when you want to focus on the promise of what a political candidate can do for the country –  in a campaign website, for instance.  Think of the content of your web page or website when you decide to use a blurred background in your design.  When you’re hinting at “more“, when you’re communicating “”many“- a range of products, or different kinds of people – say “all categories of riders“, or a number of restaurant reviews – then you may decide to keep the details of your image indistinct and thereby simplify the design. For example, you may choose not to show a particular group of people, or a particular restaurant in sharp focus as this would exclude others, and also make your background “too busy”.  A blurred image works well to provide a context for your content, while leaving the details unclear.  At the same time it helps text and foreground images to stand out more clearly.

Why use blurred backgrounds?

• Page loading times tend to be faster as the image resolution in a blurred image does not have to be as high as an in-focus image
• Text  (or a sharp-focus foreground image) on top of a blurred image is more readable than text overlaid on a sharp or detailed image, as the background image (if  in sharp focus) would then divert attention from the main content.
• Create excitement – convey something new or coming soon: for instance, brand launches, special offers
• Create a feeling of movement in a static picture, especially effective for sports, games and dance websites
• Suggest energy
• Stay within the realm of the imagination –  for example, in websites for artistic or creative people, or a theme park,  or a movie, or projects in progress for an engineering, technology or interior design firm
• Create a distinctive look
• Create a cool effect

IQCar Car Moto CMS HTML Template

Ways to handle blurred backgrounds and images

• Blurred background with sharp-focus foreground
• Selective blurring of image components:  Here you may be working with a single image or with  more than one.  You could decide to partly blur an image so that your text stands out on it better.  Or you may superimpose several sharp focus image components on a blurred background.

Featured here are some great-looking website templates with blurred backgrounds. Check them out!

Running Club Moto CMS HTML Template 

The Aim Responsive Website Template 

Review Restaurant Responsive Website Template 

 Richard Nelson Moto CMS HTML Template

OneGenius – One Page Flat Portfolio PSD Template

 Raaga – Responsive Parallax Template for Bands

County Government Responsive Website Template

Elevate:  Background Oriented Portfolio WP Theme

 Millenium  Responsive OnePage Portfolio

Corsica Responsive App Landing Page

Cycling Adventure Club Responsive Website Template

A blurred background brings a clear image in the foreground into sharp focus while keeping the nuances soft and appealing.  The portrait of a person – a software engineer, architect, designer, sportsman, musician or other professional becomes more likeable and friendly against a blurred background, which can put the person into the context of his work milieu without letting it distract the reader.  A product like a camera, teapot or a cellphone acquires a sophisticated and elegant look against a blurred background.  Blurred header slides work well to invite a visitor into a  website, as they provide a softer approach and broader appeal.  The rest of the site design uses other elements of good website design to present selling content and information and convince the user to try the product or service.