react

How to Build a Responsive, Customizable Sidebar with react-mui-sidebar

Honghao Wang

— 2 min read
How to Build a Responsive, Customizable Sidebar with react-mui-sidebar

Building a Responsive Sidebar with `react-mui-sidebar`

In modern web development, a well-crafted sidebar can greatly improve user experience by offering easy navigation and quick access to key features.

`react-mui-sidebar` — built on top of Material-UI (MUI) — is a powerful React package that makes it simple to create responsive, customizable sidebars.

In this guide, you'll learn:

---

Table of Contents

---

Prerequisites

Before starting, make sure you have:

  • Basic React knowledge — components, props, state, JSX
  • Familiarity with React Router or Next.js App Router
  • Understanding of MUI — theming, components, styling
  • NPM or Yarn experience — package installation and dependency management
  • Basic CSS/layout skills — flexbox, responsive widths

---

Here’s a preview of what we’ll build:

image

🔗 Live Demo

---

What is MUI?

Material-UI (MUI) is a popular UI framework that brings Google’s Material Design principles into React.

`react-mui-sidebar` extends MUI's capabilities with an easy-to-use, responsive, and theme-consistent sidebar component.

---

Features

  • Responsive design – Adapts to all screen sizes.
  • Highly customizable – Match your app’s branding.
  • Supports React & Next.js – Seamless integration.
  • Easy to use – Straightforward API and documentation.
  • Icons support – Use any icon library or custom icons.
  • Menu & submenu support – Organize complex navigation.
  • Smooth transitions – Polished animations for a pleasant UX.

---

Why Choose `react-mui-sidebar`?

Optimized Performance

  • Minimizes re-renders via memoization.
  • Conditional rendering avoids unnecessary DOM mounting.
  • Efficient MUI styling for fast load times.

Strong Community

  • Leverages the large MUI user base.
  • Abundant tutorials and support.

Reliable Maintenance

  • Active development, regular bug fixes and updates.
  • Stability for long-term projects.

---

Getting Started

Step 1 – Install the Package

Using npm:

npm install react-mui-sidebar

Using yarn:

yarn add react-mui-sidebar

---

Step 2 – Import Components

import { Sidebar, Menu, MenuItem, Submenu, Logo } from "react-mui-sidebar";

---

Step 3 – Configure Routing

React Router example:


  Dashboard

React Router Full Example:

import { Link } from "react-router-dom";
import { Sidebar, Menu, MenuItem, Logo } from "react-mui-sidebar";

const App = () => (
  
    
      AdminMart
    
    
      }
        component={Link}
        link="/tes"
        badge
        isSelected
      >
        Link Text
      
    
  
);

export default App;

Next.js App Router example:

import Link from "next/link";
import { Sidebar, Menu, MenuItem, Logo } from "react-mui-sidebar";

const App = () => (
  
    
      AdminMart
    
    
      }
        component={Link}
        link="/tes"
        badge
        isSelected
      >
        Link Text
      
    
  
);

export default App;

---

Step 4 – Initialize the Sidebar


  {/* Sidebar content */}

---


  
    AdminMart

---

Step 6 – Create a Menu


  
    
      Modern
    
    eCommerce
    Analytical

---

Step 7 – Add Submenus


  
    Web Development
    SEO Services
    
      Digital Marketing
      Content Marketing

---

Wrapping Up

With `react-mui-sidebar`, you can quickly integrate a flexible and stylish navigation component into React or Next.js apps.

You can:

  • Adjust width and styles.
  • Add icons, submenus, badges.
  • Connect to routing for full navigation.

📌 Demo: react-mui-sidebar.vercel.app

📌 Icons Reference: Material UI Icons

---

Bonus Tip

If your project involves publishing tutorials, UI kits, or component showcases to multiple platforms, tools like AiToEarn help automate AI-powered content generation, publishing, analytics, and monetization — reaching audiences on Douyin, Kwai, Bilibili, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X (Twitter), and more.

---

Do you want me to add a visual architecture diagram showing how `react-mui-sidebar` integrates with MUI and routing for even clearer understanding? That would make this tutorial more developer-friendly.

Read more