Home » Tutorials » How to Create Custom WordPress Layouts With Elementor
Designing your own page layouts in WordPress can be challenging for the most. The majority of the themes give you a handful of layout options. But what if none of them truly fit your needs?
Many people assume the only way forward is to learn PHP, HTML, and CSS. That’s not very efficient if you simply want your website to look unique without knowing any code.
Here’s the good news! With Elementor, you can create custom WordPress layouts using a drag-and-drop editor. No coding or theme modifications required. If someone told you so, they’re simply lying.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to create custom WordPress layouts with Elementor, explain how layouts work under the hood, and share pro tips to make your site look great while still running fast.Along the way, you’ll see how Master Addons can supercharge Elementor with extra widgets, templates, and design options.
Most free and premium WordPress themes come with multiple layouts. That might be enough if you’re happy sticking to a single template.
But what if you want:
You’re good with codes? Then it’s easy. But, just like most users you don’t know coding? Then it’s a major setback.
But not anymore. Elementor makes it possible to design exactly what you want. And when combined with the Elements of Master Addons, you get extra creative widgets like advanced tabs, dynamic galleries, or animated headlines. And that my friend goes far beyond what most themes or even Elementor alone can provide.
First, install and activate the free Elementor plugin from the WordPress repository.
Once activated, you’ll find a new option called “Edit with Elementor” on your pages and posts. Clicking it launches the Elementor editor.
After the editor opens, here’s what you’ll see:
From here, you can drag any widget and start building.
Pro Tip: Elementor Pro unlocks advanced features like Theme Builder, dynamic content, and WooCommerce templates. If you’re serious about building full custom WordPress layouts, Pro is worth the upgrade.
While the free version is powerful enough to get you through a simple website. But to create your dream custom WordPress layouts, here’s what Elementor Pro unlocks:
If you’re serious about designing site-wide layouts, Elementor Pro is worth it. And with Master Addons, you can push those layouts further without buying multiple separate plugins.
The first step in creating a custom WordPress layouts is to open up a fresh page or post on your WordPress site. Most beginners overlook this and try editing existing content. And what they get are the restrictions of their theme’s default design.
Starting with a new page gives you a clean slate where you’re free from old formatting and layout. On the editing screen, you’ll notice a button that says “Edit with Elementor.” This is where the magic starts.
Clicking that button launches the Elementor interface with a drag-and-drop builder designed for people who don’t want to code but still want full creative control. This is where you can build a layout completely from scratch, starting with empty sections, or you can give yourself a head start by using one of Elementor’s pre-built templates.
For many users, the hardest part isn’t customizing, it’s knowing where to start. Templates remove that roadblock by giving you a foundation that’s already structured, styled, and easy to use.
If you’re new to designing, the template library is a lifesaver. By clicking on the “Add Template” button, you open up a gallery of professionally designed options, ready to be dropped into your page. No need to wonder how wide a hero image should be or how to align your headings. You can simply browse for a layout that’s close to what you want.
For example, if you’re working on a “Landing” page, Elementor has several landing page templates that look far more polished than the default message your theme displays.
Once you’ve found a design that feels right, a single click on the “Insert” button brings it into your page. Did you think that’s a static design? Nope, you get a fully editable structure that you can customize to your needs. Every image, heading, and button is customizable. This flexibility is exactly why so many people choose Elementor.
Editing a template is easy. You hover over an element, click it, and its settings appear in the left-hand panel. This design approach solves a common frustration with traditional WordPress editing.
With Elementor, what you see on the screen is exactly what your visitors will see. That instant feedback makes design faster, less stressful, and much more approachable.
What makes Elementor so powerful is the variety of widgets it offers. Instead of being limited to headings and text, you can insert image galleries, testimonial sliders, maps, buttons, carousels, or even forms from other plugins you already use.
Once you’re done with your layout, the final step is saving it. In the bottom panel, next to the “Publish” button, you’ll notice a small arrow. Clicking it reveals different save options. This is important because many users worry about accidentally publishing unfinished work for the world to see.
Elementor avoids that headache by letting you save your layout as a draft or a template without making it live on your site. You can preview how it looks, go back to your WordPress dashboard, or safely store it for later. That way, you stay in control of when your design goes public.
You’re designing layouts that reflect your brand and speak directly to your visitors. And if you find yourself wanting more widgets, effects, or pre-made templates than Elementor alone provides, tools like Master Addons can extend your design possibilities even further. This will help you create layouts that not only look professional but also feel unique to your site.
At this point, you’ve got your first custom layout live. But Elementor’s true power shows when you move beyond single pages.
Instead of recreating designs every time, you can save your custom WordPress layouts as templates and reuse them whenever you need. That’s where Elementor’s template-saving feature becomes a real game changer. It’s not just about convenience it’s about working smarter and freeing up time to focus on content, not structure.
To save a layout, open the page you’ve been working on inside the Elementor editor. Down at the bottom, next to the “Publish” button, you’ll notice a small arrow. Clicking it reveals more options, including the ability to save your design as a template. Choosing “Save as Template” ensures that your hard work doesn’t live on just one page; it becomes a reusable asset in your library.
The next time you’re building a new page, you don’t have to start with a blank canvas. Instead, open the template library, switch to My Templates, and insert your saved layout with one click. Rather than trying to manually replicate spacing, colors, or typography, Elementor lets you duplicate the exact structure you’ve already perfected.
For many users, the real value of templates doesn’t stop at one website. If you manage multiple sites for example, a portfolio, a client project, or even an eCommerce store you can also export your saved templates and import them elsewhere. By clicking the three-dot icon beside your template and choosing “Export,” Elementor creates a file you can download to your computer. Later, you can upload that same file on another WordPress installation and instantly bring your design with you.
This workflow solves a very real pain point for WordPress users: wasted time and inconsistent design. Templates ensure your site looks cohesive and professional without locking you into a single theme’s limitations.
Want to take your designs further? Master Addons offers its own template library, letting you save your custom WordPress layouts and tap into a growing collection of professional templates. Easily import and tweak these designs in seconds for a seamless, creative boost.
Building stunning WordPress layouts with Elementor is easy. And it gives you the freedom to design with style. Start with simple pages and level up to Theme Builder, display conditions, and dynamic content for more control. So, today you’ve learned how to create custom WordPress layouts with elementor.
Want to make your designs stand out even more? Master Addons brings extra flair with advanced widgets, eye-catching effects, and ready-to-use templates that turn functional layouts into unforgettable ones. Whether you’re creating a blog, portfolio, or WooCommerce store, Elementor paired with Master Addons is everything you ever need.
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