Nested components are a powerful way to build flexible, scalable, and reusable design systems in Figma. By placing one component inside another, you can create complex UI elements—like cards with buttons, icons within menus, or entire layout structures—without duplicating effort. This article walks you through how to create nested components effectively and how to manage them like a pro.
What Are Nested Components?
Nested components are simply components within components. Instead of rebuilding elements like icons, avatars, or buttons every time you create a new layout, you insert existing components into a larger component. This allows you to maintain consistency and streamline updates—change the base component, and all instances update automatically.
Step-by-Step: Creating Nested Components
1. Create Your Base Components
Start by designing and turning key UI elements into components. For example:
- A button component
- An icon component
- An avatar component
Select the element and hit Ctrl + Alt + K (Windows) or Cmd + Option + K (Mac) to create a component.
2. Build the Parent Layout
Now design the larger structure—such as a card or modal—where you’ll use the base components. This layout can contain text layers, background shapes, and other UI patterns.
3. Insert Base Components
Drag the base components (like the button or avatar) into the parent layout. They will appear as instances. Resize or position them as needed within the new structure.
4. Create the Nested Component
Once your layout includes other component instances, select the entire layout (including those instances) and press Ctrl + Alt + K (or Cmd + Option + K) again. This wraps everything—including the nested components—into a new parent component.
Best Practices for Nesting Components
- Keep it modular: Build small, focused components that serve a clear purpose before nesting.
- Name clearly: Use consistent naming like
Card/Header,Card/Footer/Buttonto help track structure. - Avoid excessive nesting: Too many layers can become hard to manage and slow down performance.
- Use Variants smartly: Combine nested components with variants to create powerful UI patterns.
Benefits of Nested Components
- Faster iterations: Update a single component and see it reflected across all parent components.
- Consistent design: Reduces human error and keeps styles aligned.
- Cleaner files: Nested components reduce duplication and file bloat.
Summary
Nested components in Figma let you build smarter, not harder. They’re a key part of professional design systems and make your work more efficient, scalable, and consistent. Start small, think modular, and combine components like Lego bricks to craft beautiful, reusable designs.
Designilo 