How to Use the Wells Template in Squarespace
A Complete Guide to Accessing, Duplicating, or Recreating This Classic Layout
If you are a designer, photographer, or creative wanting to create a sleek, minimal, flowing portfolio on Squarespace, you've probably heard about the Wells template. Recognized for its customizable layout, striking image grids, and sidebar navigation, Wells was an instant favorite for Squarespace 7.0 users.
But with the introduction of Squarespace 7.1, the platform has scrapped old-style templates like Wells in favor of an overarching, block-based format. So, what do you do when you still want to be using Wells in 2025?
This guide will explain
What the Wells template is
Whether it’s still available
How to use it (or make your own) today
What Is the Wells Template?
Wells is an old template from Squarespace 7.0. It was one of the Brine family, a powerful template collection known for adaptability and speed.
Key Features of Wells:
Clean, grid-based gallery pages
Sidebar navigation on desktop
Elegant use of white space
Full-screen banner images
Streamlined blog layout
Great for Artists, Designers, Photographers, and Architects
Can You Still Choose the Wells Template Today?
Unfortunately, Squarespace 7.0 templates like Wells are no longer available to new users. Since the rollout of Squarespace 7.1, the platform has moved to a universal template system, meaning all new sites are built from a single foundation with Fluid Engine.
However, you still have options.
Option 1: Already Using Wells? You’re Safe
If you built your website with the Wells template before the 7.1 rollout:
You can continue using it indefinitely
You can edit and customize your site as usual
Your live site will remain unaffected
Note: Squarespace is no longer updating version 7.0 templates, so long-term support is limited.
Option 2: Duplicate an Existing Wells Site
If you have access to another website built on Wells (e.g., in your account or from a collaborator):
Log in to your Squarespace dashboard
Locate the site that uses the Wells template
Click the “•••” menu → Duplicate Site
Rename and customize the duplicate
This allows you to reuse the Wells framework, even though new installations are no longer possible.
Option 3: Recreate the Wells Look Using Squarespace 7.1
If you’re starting from scratch in 7.1, you won’t find Wells in the template picker. But with Squarespace 7.1’s Fluid Engine, you can replicate the Wells design style with remarkable precision.
Design Elements to Rebuild:
| Wells Feature | How to Recreate in 7.1 |
|---|---|
| Sidebar navigation | Use a fixed-position menu or plugin integration |
| Grid gallery layout | Use the Gallery Block with a square crop |
| Fullscreen header image | Use Banner Section with background image |
| Clean spacing | Use Spacer Blocks and custom padding |
| Minimal blog page | Use Blog List Block with a streamlined layout |
| Elegant typography | Customize in Design → Fonts |
With some layout finesse and smart spacing, your site can look nearly identical to the original Wells but be built on the more modern, flexible 7.1 platform.
Can You Switch to Wells from Squarespace 7.1?
No.
Squarespace 7.1 uses a universal template engine, so you can no longer select or switch to individual templates like Wells, Brine, or Bedford.
But you can:
Copy visual elements from a Wells site
Customize blocks and layout to mimic its style
Final Thoughts
The Wells template may be retired, but its design philosophy lives on — clean, gallery-driven layouts with elegant typography and subtle user experience cues. Whether you’re lucky enough to use Wells still directly or you're recreating the look in 7.1, you can achieve the same high-end aesthetic with a bit of strategic design work.
TL;DR — Your Options:
| Situation | What You Can Do |
|---|---|
| Already have a Wells site | Keep using it—it’s still fully functional |
| Have a Wells site in your account | Duplicate it to start a new project |
| Starting fresh in Squarespace 7.1 | Rebuild the Wells layout manually with Fluid Engine |
| Want sidebar navigation | Use layout blocks and plugins, or custom code |
Frequently Asked Questions
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Unfortunately, no. Squarespace 7.1 doesn’t support switching to old templates like Wells. However, you can recreate the Wells aesthetic using 7.1’s flexible layout tools, custom fonts, spacing, and gallery blocks.
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If you or a collaborator has access to a Squarespace 7.0 site built on Wells:
Go to your Squarespace dashboard
Click on the site’s options menu (•••)
Choose “Duplicate Site.”
Rename and customize the copy
This allows you to continue using Wells even though it's not in the new template library.
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To copy the Wells design on 7.1:
Implement a Sticky sidebar navigation (with plugins/ or coding).
Add Gallery Blocks to a grid layout for your portfolio
Feature a full-page banner section with a background image
Apply clean spacing using Spacers and smart padding types, etc.
If you want to keep it minimal, then use fine fonts from Design → Fonts.
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Current Wells sites (7.0) are not being affected and can still be used and edited. But Squarespace has ceased pushing out new updates or features for version 7.0. To make it future-proof and stably support mid/long-term updating, you should rebuild on 7.1.
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