As of January 2008, 38% of all computer monitors exceeded 1024×768 resolution. When updated for January 2009, expect that number to approach 50%. The growth in monitors larger than 1024×768 resolution is almost universally wide-screen format:
Recently, a great number of wide-screen format monitors have been introduced to the market. Many manufacturers have practically abandoned the traditional 4:3 format, instead opting to manufacture 16:10 models.
With 50 – 60% of the existing monitors at 1024 pixels wide or less, we can not extend the primary content beyond that limit. But, a significant and growing percentage of our visitors are viewing expanses of undesigned white space. This is further exaggerated with designs optimized for 800 pixel-wide browser windows.
One solution is to add decorative horizontal elements that extend the entire width of the browser window. This may be an navigation bar that stretches the entire width (while keeping the actual navigation links together with the content). It could be color striations that are tied into the design of the main content area. Asymmetrical elements set wide of the content areas may add visual interest that breaks up this excess white space.
Here are some examples of websites that implement these principles and display well in very wide browser windows:
These horizontal elements should be limited to non-content elements. Here are examples of what not to do:
This may be fine in some outlier condition (like when a sub-element of a page scrolls horizontally to show expanse of product offering), but it is generally ill-conceived. Most mouse scroll wheels do not scroll horizontally, and users of the web hate horizontal scroll.
