Often overlooked, a website’s navigation menu is one of the most critical components of the user experience (UX). It’s more than just a list of links; it’s the primary tool that guides visitors through your digital storefront, tells them what’s important, and helps them find exactly what they need. The quality of that navigational experience can be the difference between a user who converts and one who bounces in frustration. A well-designed menu is intuitive, efficient, and seamlessly integrates with the site’s overall aesthetic.
Website Navigation: Where Functionality Meets Creativity
To inspire your next project, we’ve scoured the web to find some of the most creative and unique website menu designs out there. These examples push the boundaries of conventional navigation, blending seamless functionality with stunning visual storytelling. They prove that a menu can be a powerful branding tool, creating memorable interactions that delight users and elevate a brand’s digital presence from standard to exceptional. Let’s dive in and explore what makes each one so effective.
1. Two Good Co.
Two Good Co. is a social enterprise with a powerful mission, and their menu design reflects their brand’s thoughtful and people-centric approach. Upon clicking the hamburger icon, the user is met with a bold, full-screen takeover menu set against a dark background, which immediately focuses attention. The main navigation links are unconventionally right-justified, a subtle but effective choice that draws the eye. The real highlight comes on hover, where a playful, animated textured line appears under each link. By thoughtfully including links to social media and FAQs within this full-screen menu, Two Good Co. creates a user-centric hub that is both visual and highly functional.
2. Perennial
The restaurant Perennial presents a menu that is as sleek and modern as its Austin-based dining experience. The hamburger icon is neatly fixed to the left side of the screen and executes a buttery smooth transition into a circle “X” when clicked. This opens a drawer-style menu that slides in from the left, featuring a chic “frosted glass” effect that partially obscures the page content behind it, adding depth and focus. The navigation is expertly organized into primary and secondary tiers, with the latter using clean accordion dropdowns to reveal more options without overwhelming the user. It’s a sophisticated and space-efficient solution that keeps the interface clean and the user journey clear.
3. Tilton Group
The Tilton Group, a specialist in high-end packaging, showcases a menu that exudes professionalism and elegance. The primary navigation uses a classic dropdown mega-menu on hover, but the execution is what sets it apart. The dropdowns are filled with large, high-quality professional imagery that instantly communicates the quality of their work. The sub-links are presented as large, clickable areas with a clean background color on hover, guided by simple geometric shapes instead of traditional bullets. To top it off, a separate “Packaging” menu item triggers a half-screen takeover with a rich brand-aligned green background, creating a distinct and immersive experience for users exploring their core offerings.
4. Arcca Group
Arcca Group makes a bold statement from the moment you open its navigation. Clicking the hamburger icon triggers a unique full-screen takeover animation where two panels swiftly slide in from the left and right sides of the browser, meeting in the middle. This split-screen layout is a masterclass in brand reinforcement; the left side is dedicated to clean, oversized navigation links, while the right prominently displays the company’s logo and contact information. The interactive hover effects on the main links, which feature both a full background color change and a slick underline animation, further enhance the dynamic and modern feel, making for a memorable and engaging user experience.
5. Guesty
Guesty, a property management platform, demonstrates how to handle a content-rich navigation system with grace and clarity. Hovering over a primary navigation link triggers an elegant, multi-column dropdown menu that animates in smoothly while a subtle overlay darkens the rest of the page, eliminating distractions. The design is incredibly user-friendly, employing clear iconography and descriptive text below certain links to provide additional context. Within the Resources menu, Guesty smartly incorporates graphic callouts to spotlight key content, guiding users toward important thought leadership in a way that feels purposeful rather than intrusive.
6. JPMorgan Chase & Co.
7. Rivian
Electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian delivers a navigational experience that’s as forward-thinking as its vehicles. The site features a dual-menu system: a standard dropdown for its vehicle models showcasing stunning photography, and a more comprehensive hamburger menu. It’s this second menu that truly inspires. Clicking it reveals a three-column, full-screen takeover. As the user selects categories on the left, the central panel populates with a responsive grid of gorgeous lifestyle and product images that serve as visual links. To the far right, a tertiary menu appears with more detailed links. It’s an incredibly unique and immersive layout that perfectly balances rich visual storytelling with deep, multi-layered navigation.
8. Wright's Ferry Mansion
Wright’s Ferry Mansion proves that a simple and elegant menu can be just as impactful as a complex one. The design thoughtfully includes the word “Menu” next to the hamburger icon, improving clarity for all users. When clicked, a clean panel slides out to cover the right half of the screen. The rest of the page darkens and blurs, creating a beautiful depth-of-field effect that focuses the user’s attention. The navigation links showcase elegant typography at its finest, each prefixed with a number that serves as a modern bullet point. The hover effect is subtle yet satisfying: a custom arrow appears, gently shifting the text to the right, making for a refined and user-friendly experience.
9. Rietveld Projects
Breaking nearly every convention of menu design, Rietveld Projects, a real estate developer, offers a truly immersive navigational experience. Instead of a simple slide-out or takeover, clicking the menu icon triggers a zoom-out effect, transforming the entire page into an artfully scattered list of destinations. The true magic happens on hover: a tilted project image appears and follows the cursor’s movement, while all other links subtly dim to give the selected item the full spotlight. While unconventional, the layout remains surprisingly intuitive, proving that a daring and brand-aligned user interface can create an unforgettable digital journey.
10. The Elders
The Elders project by Columbia University presents a menu that is both artistic and highly functional. Triggered from a hamburger icon, the entire page gracefully shifts to the left, revealing a full-height navigation panel. The main menu links command attention with large, bold, right-justified text, each prefixed with a colored number that adds a subtle visual interest. Hovering over a link reveals a unique, colorful arrow that animates in, providing satisfying interactive feedback. Below the main navigation, a smaller secondary menu offers additional options, while a captivating rotating text element in the corner highlights an interview, drawing the user deeper into the site’s rich content.
