Customizing Header Type 3: Centered Logo with Side Navigation
Header Type 3 in WPResidence offers a distinctive layout featuring a centered logo flanked by navigation elements on either side. This design creates a balanced and visually appealing header that can effectively showcase your brand while maintaining easy access to navigation. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore how to customize Header Type 3 to align with your website’s unique style and functional requirements.
Understanding Header Type 3 Structure
Before diving into customization, it’s essential to understand the structure of Header Type 3:
- Left Section: Typically contains part of the primary navigation menu.
- Center Section: Houses the logo, prominently displayed in the middle.
- Right Section: Often includes the remaining navigation items and user menu.
This balanced structure allows for creative design possibilities while maintaining a functional layout.
Activating Header Type 3
To begin customizing Header Type 3, you first need to activate it in your WPResidence theme settings:
- Log into your WordPress admin panel.
- Navigate to the WPResidence theme options panel.
- Find the “Header” or “Header Settings” section.
- Locate the “Header Design Type” or “Logo Header Type” option.
- Select “type3” from the available options.
- Save your changes.
Customizing the Logo Section
The logo in Header Type 3 takes center stage. Here’s how to customize it:
Logo Upload and Sizing
- In the WPResidence theme options, go to “Logos & Favicon.”
- Upload your logo image (preferably a PNG or SVG for best quality).
- Adjust the following settings:
- Maximum height for the logo
- Maximum width for the logo
- Margin top for logo
Fine-tune your logo’s appearance with this CSS in your child theme’s style.css:
.header_wrapper_inside .logo {
display: flex;
justify-content: center;
align-items: center;
height: 100%;
}
.header_wrapper_inside .logo img {
max-height: 60px; /* Adjust based on your logo */
width: auto;
transition: all 0.3s ease;
}
.header_wrapper_inside .logo img:hover {
opacity: 0.9;
transform: scale(1.05);
}
Customizing the Navigation Sections
Header Type 3’s unique layout splits the navigation into two sections. Here’s how to style them:
Primary Navigation Menu
Customize the appearance of your navigation menu with this CSS:
.header_wrapper.header_type3 #access {
display: flex;
justify-content: space-between;
}
.header_wrapper.header_type3 #access .menu > li {
margin: 0 10px;
}
.header_wrapper.header_type3 #access .menu > li > a {
font-size: 14px;
color: #333333;
text-transform: uppercase;
padding: 10px 5px;
transition: all 0.3s ease;
}
.header_wrapper.header_type3 #access .menu > li > a:hover {
color: #0073e1;
border-bottom: 2px solid #0073e1;
}
.header_wrapper.header_type3 #access .menu > li.current-menu-item > a {
color: #0073e1;
font-weight: bold;
}
User Menu Customization
Style the user menu to complement your header design:
.header_wrapper.header_type3 #user_menu_open {
background-color: #ffffff;
border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;
border-radius: 4px;
box-shadow: 0 2px 5px rgba(0,0,0,0.1);
}
.header_wrapper.header_type3 #user_menu_open a {
color: #333333;
font-size: 14px;
padding: 10px 20px;
transition: background-color 0.3s ease;
}
.header_wrapper.header_type3 #user_menu_open a:hover {
background-color: #f5f5f5;
color: #0073e1;
}
.header_wrapper.header_type3 #user_menu_trigger {
background-color: #0073e1;
color: #ffffff;
padding: 8px 12px;
border-radius: 4px;
}
Balancing the Layout
To ensure a well-balanced layout in Header Type 3, you may need to adjust the widths of each section:
.header_wrapper.header_type3 .header_wrapper_inside {
display: flex;
justify-content: space-between;
align-items: center;
}
.header_wrapper.header_type3 .header_left,
.header_wrapper.header_type3 .header_right {
flex: 1;
}
.header_wrapper.header_type3 .logo {
flex: 0 0 auto;
margin: 0 20px;
}
Adding Custom Elements
Header Type 3’s layout allows for creative additions. Here are some ideas:
1. Adding a Search Bar
Add a search bar to one of the side sections using this PHP code in your child theme’s functions.php:
function add_search_to_header_type3() {
echo '<div class="header_type3_search_bar">';
get_search_form();
echo '</div>';
}
add_action('wp_estate_header_3_bar_right', 'add_search_to_header_type3');
Style it with CSS:
.header_type3_search_bar {
margin-left: 20px;
}
.header_type3_search_bar input[type="search"] {
padding: 5px 10px;
border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;
border-radius: 4px;
width: 180px;
}
2. Adding Social Media Icons
Incorporate social media icons with this PHP code:
function add_social_icons_to_header_type3() {
echo '<div class="header_type3_social_icons">';
echo '<a href="#" target="_blank"><i class="fab fa-facebook"></i></a>';
echo '<a href="#" target="_blank"><i class="fab fa-twitter"></i></a>';
echo '<a href="#" target="_blank"><i class="fab fa-instagram"></i></a>';
echo '</div>';
}
add_action('wp_estate_header_3_bar_left', 'add_social_icons_to_header_type3');
Style the icons:
.header_type3_social_icons {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
}
.header_type3_social_icons a {
color: #333333;
font-size: 16px;
margin-right: 15px;
transition: color 0.3s ease;
}
.header_type3_social_icons a:hover {
color: #0073e1;
}
Implementing Responsive Design
Ensure your Header Type 3 looks great on all devices with these responsive adjustments:
@media only screen and (max-width: 992px) {
.header_wrapper.header_type3 .header_wrapper_inside {
flex-direction: column;
}
.header_wrapper.header_type3 .logo {
margin: 10px 0;
}
.header_wrapper.header_type3 #access {
width: 100%;
justify-content: center;
}
.header_wrapper.header_type3 #access .menu > li {
margin: 0 5px;
}
}
@media only screen and (max-width: 768px) {
.header_wrapper.header_type3 #access {
flex-direction: column;
}
.header_wrapper.header_type3 #access .menu > li {
margin: 5px 0;
}
.header_type3_search_bar,
.header_type3_social_icons {
margin: 10px 0;
}
}
Conclusion
Customizing Header Type 3 in WPResidence allows you to create a unique and balanced header design that puts your logo at the forefront while maintaining easy navigation access. By leveraging the centered logo layout and flanking navigation sections, you can achieve a professional and visually appealing header that enhances your website’s overall design.
Remember to implement all customizations in a child theme to ensure they persist through theme updates. Regularly test your header on various devices and browsers to guarantee a consistent and user-friendly experience for all visitors.
With the techniques and examples provided in this guide, you’re well-equipped to transform Header Type 3 into a standout feature of your WPResidence-powered website. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different styles, colors, and layouts to find the perfect header design that represents your brand and enhances your site’s usability.