The term white space is sometimes used interchangeably with negative space and the concept is the same. Though the term refers to “white” space in particular, the area in question does not have to be white at all. It’s just the empty space around the elements of a webpage layout.

Space like this can come in many different forms, such as the space in between images and graphics, gutters, margins, columns and even lines of type.

While it seems to be made of “nothing”— only in that no other design element occupies the space — white space should not be treated in that manner. Treating it as “nothing” can lead to missed opportunities in designing something truly aesthetic and appealing.