Goodbye Sections, Hello Containers: My Mind-Blowing Experience with Elementor’s New Layout System
Chris jr Nwaije
For years, Elementor users have structured their websites using Sections, Columns, and Inner Sections. It was the standard way to build layouts—until now.
Recently, while setting up a church website, I ran into an unexpected issue: I couldn’t create inner sections. At first, I thought it was a bug, but after some digging, I realized that Elementor had officially replaced the old system with Flexbox Containers.
At first, I wasn’t sure how to feel about it. But after experimenting, I was mind-blown. This was a complete game-changer.
The Moment of Realization
I had my usual workflow in mind:
Create a Section →
Add Columns →
Nest Inner Sections inside columns →
Place content within each section
But when I tried to add an inner section, it wasn’t there. Gone. Completely removed.
Frustration kicked in. How was I supposed to structure my content without inner sections?
That’s when I decided to take a step back and truly understand Elementor’s new container system.
What’s Different in Elementor?
Instead of relying on Sections and Columns, Elementor now uses Containers, which are powered by Flexbox and CSS Grid.
Flexbox Containers allow you to control alignment, spacing, and direction with ease.
Grid Containers give you full control over complex layouts with rows and columns without needing extra nesting.
No more inner sections! You can now achieve the same effect by nesting containers inside other containers.
How I Made It Work
After some trial and error, I figured out the magic formula:
Use a single Container instead of Sections.
Nest additional Containers inside instead of using Columns.
Use Flexbox for alignment and CSS Grid for more complex layouts.
Enjoy a more streamlined, performance-optimized design!
Once I got the hang of it, I realized just how powerful and flexible this system is. The layouts I created looked cleaner, and responsiveness was easier to manage.
Why Elementor’s New Layout is a Big Deal
Here’s why Containers are an upgrade:
✅ Better Performance: Fewer nested elements = faster load times.
✅ More Flexibility: You can create any layout using just Flexbox & Grid.
✅ Easier Responsiveness: No more struggling with mobile adjustments.
At first, I thought Elementor broke something, but now I see that they actually made it better.
Final Thoughts
If you’re struggling with the new Elementor layout system, don’t panic! Embrace Containers and experiment with Flexbox & Grid. It might take a little getting used to, but once it clicks, you’ll never want to go back.
What are your thoughts on the new system? Have you tried it yet? Let’s discuss!
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Written by
Chris jr Nwaije
Chris jr Nwaije
Hi, I’m Chris, and my journey in tech has been quite the adventure. I started out as a designer and WordPress Developer, pouring my creativity into crafting beautiful and functional websites. But about two years ago, I felt this itch to challenge myself and step out of my comfort zone. That’s when I decided to dive deeper into the world of JavaScript, React, and Node.js. Let me tell you, it was like stepping into a whole new world—exciting and overwhelming all at once! Around that time, I also became curious about app development. Flutter caught my eye, and though I haven’t fully committed to it, I’ve been experimenting with it and Flutter Flow on the side. There’s something thrilling about exploring new tools and seeing how they fit into your workflow. Beyond coding, I wear a few other creative hats—I’m a graphics designer and a video editor. Admittedly, I mostly edit my own videos and help out my friends. But hey, those late-night editing sessions have taught me a lot about patience and the power of storytelling. As for hobbies? I’ve got a mix of them. Creating frontend components is definitely my happy place, but when I’m not in front of a screen, I’m probably annihilating my friends in FIFA or Mobile Legends (don’t hold it against me!). I’m also a huge fan of history, geography, and football. There’s just something fascinating about connecting the dots between the past, the present, and the places people call home. Sometimes, I wish I could always speak frankly, but the truth is, life’s a bit more nuanced than that. You learn to adapt, to balance honesty with empathy. It’s all part of growing, right? So, that’s me—a curious soul navigating the worlds of design, development, and everything in between. Let’s see where this journey takes us next!