Top 5 CSS Features You’re Not Using (But Should Be)

CSS is a powerful language, often underestimated. Many developers only use a basic subset of its features. In this post, I'll introduce five CSS features that can transform your styling approach and that you might not be fully utilizing.

- CSS Custom Properties (CSS Variables)

CSS variables allow you to define reusable values throughout your code. This makes design maintenance and updates much easier. For example:

:root {
  --primary-color: #3498db;
}

button {
  background-color: var(--primary-color);
}

- Grid Layout

CSS Grid Layout is a powerful technique for creating complex layouts. It lets you divide your page into defined areas and control element positioning more effectively than floats or flexbox.

.container {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
  grid-gap: 10px;
}

- Flexbox

While many developers use Flexbox, remember that it’s not just for centering items. You can build responsive layouts easily, controlling item order and alignment with minimal code.

.container {
  display: flex;
  justify-content: space-between;
}

- @supports

The @supports rule lets you write CSS conditionally, depending on the browser's support for specific properties. This is great for making sure your site works in older browsers while taking advantage of modern features.

@supports (display: grid) {
  .container {
    display: grid;
  }
}

- Pseudo-classes and Pseudo-elements

Pseudo-classes and pseudo-elements are powerful for dynamic styling. Use :nth-child(), :hover, ::before, and ::after to create visual effects without JavaScript.

li:nth-child(even) {
  background-color: #f2f2f2;
}

button:hover {
  background-color: #2980b9;
}

Conclusion

These CSS features can significantly improve the quality and efficiency of your code. If you're not using them yet, try incorporating them into your next projects. Practice makes perfect, and CSS has so much to offer.