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Grafana UI Refresh: Elevating User Experience in Observability

4 min read Grafana BlogNov 12, 2026Reviewed for accuracy
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Practitioner — Hands-on experience recommended

Grafana is undergoing a significant visual refresh aimed at improving user experience. This update addresses the need for a more intuitive interface, which is crucial for teams relying on Grafana for observability. By rolling out these changes gradually, Grafana ensures that contributors and users can adapt without disrupting critical workflows.

To enable the new UI in self-managed Grafana, you can use the feature toggle grafana.visualDesignRefresh. This toggle allows you to switch to the updated design, making it easier to navigate and interact with your data visualizations. The refresh is part of the Grafana 13.3 release, marking the first phase of the largest visual overhaul since Grafana 7. This phased approach helps mitigate any potential disruptions as users transition to the new interface.

In production, be aware that while the visual refresh aims to enhance usability, it’s essential to monitor how these changes impact your team's workflows. Familiarize yourself with the new layout and features to maximize efficiency. As with any significant UI change, there may be an adjustment period, so ensure your team is prepared for the transition.

Key takeaways

  • →Enable the new UI using the feature toggle `grafana.visualDesignRefresh`.
  • →Adapt gradually to the visual refresh to avoid disrupting workflows.
  • →Understand that this is the first phase of a larger overhaul since Grafana 7.
  • →Monitor team workflows closely during the transition to the new interface.

Why it matters

This UI refresh can significantly streamline your team's interaction with Grafana, leading to more efficient data analysis and quicker decision-making in observability tasks.

When NOT to use this

The official docs don't call out specific anti-patterns here. Use your judgment based on your scale and requirements.

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