diff --git a/src/app/+admin/admin-sidebar/admin-sidebar.actions.ts b/src/app/+admin/admin-sidebar/admin-sidebar.actions.ts
index a9dfa341bf..f349b0010a 100644
--- a/src/app/+admin/admin-sidebar/admin-sidebar.actions.ts
+++ b/src/app/+admin/admin-sidebar/admin-sidebar.actions.ts
@@ -10,52 +10,81 @@ import { type } from '../../shared/ngrx/type';
  * literal types and runs a simple check to guarantee all
  * action types in the application are unique.
  */
-export const AdminSidebarSectionActionTypes = {
-  COLLAPSE: type('dspace/admin-sidebar-section/COLLAPSE'),
-  EXPAND: type('dspace/admin-sidebar-sectio/EXPAND'),
-  TOGGLE: type('dspace/admin-sidebar-sectio/TOGGLE'),
+export const AdminSidebarActionTypes = {
+  SECTION_COLLAPSE: type('dspace/admin-sidebar/SECTION_COLLAPSE'),
+  SECTION_EXPAND: type('dspace/admin-sidebar/SECTION_EXPAND'),
+  SECTION_TOGGLE: type('dspace/admin-sidebar/SECTION_TOGGLE'),
+  COLLAPSE: type('dspace/admin-sidebar/COLLAPSE'),
+  EXPAND: type('dspace/admin-sidebar/EXPAND'),
+  TOGGLE: type('dspace/admin-sidebar/TOGGLE'),
 };
 
-export class AdminSidebarSectionAction implements Action {
+/* tslint:disable:max-classes-per-file */
+export class AdminSidebarAction implements Action {
+
+  /**
+   * Type of action that will be performed
+   */
+  type;
+}
+
+export class AdminSidebarSectionAction extends AdminSidebarAction {
   /**
    * Name of the section the action is performed on, used to identify the section
    */
   sectionName: string;
 
-  /**
-   * Type of action that will be performed
-   */
-  type;
-
   /**
    * Initialize with the section's name
    * @param {string} name of the section
    */
   constructor(name: string) {
+    super();
     this.sectionName = name;
   }
 }
 
 /* tslint:disable:max-classes-per-file */
+/**
+ * Used to collapse the sidebar
+ */
+export class AdminSidebarCollapseAction extends AdminSidebarAction {
+  type = AdminSidebarActionTypes.COLLAPSE;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Used to expand the sidebar
+ */
+export class AdminSidebarExpandAction extends AdminSidebarAction {
+  type = AdminSidebarActionTypes.EXPAND;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Used to collapse the sidebar when it's expanded and expand it when it's collapsed
+ */
+export class AdminSidebarToggleAction extends AdminSidebarAction {
+  type = AdminSidebarActionTypes.TOGGLE;
+}
+
 /**
  * Used to collapse a section
  */
 export class AdminSidebarSectionCollapseAction extends AdminSidebarSectionAction {
-  type = AdminSidebarSectionActionTypes.COLLAPSE;
+  type = AdminSidebarActionTypes.SECTION_COLLAPSE;
 }
 
 /**
  * Used to expand a section
  */
 export class AdminSidebarSectionExpandAction extends AdminSidebarSectionAction {
-  type = AdminSidebarSectionActionTypes.EXPAND;
+  type = AdminSidebarActionTypes.SECTION_EXPAND;
 }
 
 /**
  * Used to collapse a section when it's expanded and expand it when it's collapsed
  */
 export class AdminSidebarSectionToggleAction extends AdminSidebarSectionAction {
-  type = AdminSidebarSectionActionTypes.TOGGLE;
+  type = AdminSidebarActionTypes.SECTION_TOGGLE;
 }
 
 /* tslint:enable:max-classes-per-file */
diff --git a/src/app/+admin/admin-sidebar/admin-sidebar.component.html b/src/app/+admin/admin-sidebar/admin-sidebar.component.html
index 69cb7d6cbb..b2d8d94a93 100644
--- a/src/app/+admin/admin-sidebar/admin-sidebar.component.html
+++ b/src/app/+admin/admin-sidebar/admin-sidebar.component.html
@@ -1,17 +1,21 @@
-<nav class="navbar navbar-dark bg-dark p-0">
+<nav class="navbar navbar-dark bg-dark p-0" [ngClass]="{'active': (sidebarCollapsed | async)}"
+     [@slideSidebar]="{
+     value: ((sidebarCollapsed | async) ? 'collapsed' : 'expanded'),
+     params: {sidebarWidth: (sidebarWidth | async)}
+    }">
     <div class="sidebar-top-level-items">
         <ul class="navbar-nav">
             <li class="admin-menu-header">
                 <a class="shortcuts-tree navbar-brand" href="#">
                     <img class="admin-logo mr-2" src="assets/images/dspace-logo-mini.svg">
-                    <h4 class="nav-item-name">Admin</h4>
+                    <h4 class="section-header-text">Admin</h4>
                 </a>
             </li>
             <li [ngClass]="{'active': (active('new') | async)}">
                 <a class="nav-item nav-link shortcuts-tree" href="#"
-                   (click)="toggle($event, 'new')">
+                   (click)="toggleSection($event, 'new')">
                     <i class="fas fa-plus-circle fa-fw"></i>
-                    New
+                    <span class="section-header-text">New</span>
                     <i class="fas fa-chevron-right fa-pull-right fa-xxs"
                        [ngClass]="{'fa-rotate-90': (active('new') | async)}"></i>
                 </a>
@@ -24,9 +28,9 @@
             </li>
             <li [ngClass]="{'active': (active('edit') | async)}">
                 <a class="nav-item nav-link shortcuts-tree" href="#"
-                   (click)="toggle($event, 'edit')">
+                   (click)="toggleSection($event, 'edit')">
                     <i class="fas fa-pencil-alt fa-fw"></i>
-                    Edit
+                    <span class="section-header-text">Edit</span>
                     <i class="fas fa-chevron-right fa-pull-right fa-xxs"
                        [ngClass]="{'fa-rotate-90': (active('edit') | async)}"></i>
                 </a>
@@ -38,9 +42,9 @@
             </li>
             <li [ngClass]="{'active': (active('import') | async)}">
                 <a class="nav-item nav-link shortcuts-tree" href="#"
-                   (click)="toggle($event, 'import')">
+                   (click)="toggleSection($event, 'import')">
                     <i class="fas fa-arrow-circle-up fa-fw"></i>
-                    Import
+                    <span class="section-header-text">Import</span>
                     <i class="fas fa-chevron-right fa-pull-right fa-xxs"
                        [ngClass]="{'fa-rotate-90': (active('import') | async)}"></i>
                 </a>
@@ -51,9 +55,9 @@
             </li>
             <li [ngClass]="{'active': (active('export') | async)}">
                 <a class="nav-item nav-link shortcuts-tree" href="#"
-                   (click)="toggle($event, 'export')">
+                   (click)="toggleSection($event, 'export')">
                     <i class="fas fa-arrow-circle-down fa-fw"></i>
-                    Export
+                    <span class="section-header-text">Export</span>
                     <i class="fas fa-chevron-right fa-pull-right fa-xxs"
                        [ngClass]="{'fa-rotate-90': (active('export') | async)}"></i>
                 </a>
@@ -66,9 +70,9 @@
             </li>
             <li [ngClass]="{'active': (active('access_control') | async)}">
                 <a class="nav-item nav-link shortcuts-tree" href="#"
-                   (click)="toggle($event, 'access_control')">
+                   (click)="toggleSection($event, 'access_control')">
                     <i class="fas fa-key fa-fw"></i>
-                    Access Control
+                    <span class="section-header-text">Access Control</span>
                     <i class="fas fa-chevron-right fa-pull-right fa-xxs"
                        [ngClass]="{'fa-rotate-90': (active('access_control') | async)}"></i>
                 </a>
@@ -81,9 +85,9 @@
             </li>
             <li [ngClass]="{'active': (active('find') | async)}">
                 <a class="nav-item nav-link shortcuts-tree" href="#"
-                   (click)="toggle($event, 'find')">
+                   (click)="toggleSection($event, 'find')">
                     <i class="fas fa-search fa-fw"></i>
-                    Find
+                    <span class="section-header-text">Find</span>
                     <i class="fas fa-chevron-right fa-pull-right fa-xxs"
                        [ngClass]="{'fa-rotate-90': (active('find') | async)}"></i>
                 </a>
@@ -95,9 +99,9 @@
             </li>
             <li [ngClass]="{'active': (active('registries') | async)}">
                 <a class="nav-item nav-link shortcuts-tree" href="#"
-                   (click)="toggle($event, 'registries')">
+                   (click)="toggleSection($event, 'registries')">
                     <i class="fas fa-list fa-fw"></i>
-                    Registries
+                    <span class="section-header-text">Registries</span>
                     <i class="fas fa-chevron-right fa-pull-right fa-xxs"
                        [ngClass]="{'fa-rotate-90': (active('registries') | async)}"></i>
                 </a>
@@ -109,27 +113,28 @@
             <li>
                 <a class="nav-item nav-link shortcuts-tree" href="#">
                     <i class="fas fa-filter fa-fw"></i>
-                    Curation Tasks
+                    <span class="section-header-text">Curation Tasks</span>
                 </a>
             </li>
             <li>
                 <a class="nav-item nav-link shortcuts-tree" href="#">
                     <i class="fas fa-chart-bar fa-fw"></i>
-                    Statistics
+                    <span class="section-header-text">Statistics</span>
                 </a>
             </li>
             <li>
                 <a class="nav-item nav-link shortcuts-tree" href="#">
                     <i class="fas fa-cogs fa-fw"></i>
-                    Control Panel
+                    <span class="section-header-text">Control Panel</span>
                 </a>
             </li>
         </ul>
     </div>
     <div class="navbar-nav">
-        <a class="nav-item nav-link shortcuts-tree" href="#">
+        <a class="nav-item nav-link shortcuts-tree" href="#"
+           (click)="toggle($event)">
             <i class="fas fa-fw fa-angle-double-right"></i>
-            Collapse
+            <span class="section-header-text">Collapse</span>
         </a>
     </div>
 </nav>
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/app/+admin/admin-sidebar/admin-sidebar.component.scss b/src/app/+admin/admin-sidebar/admin-sidebar.component.scss
index d68141c6a9..0b952314f6 100644
--- a/src/app/+admin/admin-sidebar/admin-sidebar.component.scss
+++ b/src/app/+admin/admin-sidebar/admin-sidebar.component.scss
@@ -1,21 +1,36 @@
 @import '../../../styles/variables.scss';
 
 :host {
-    position: fixed;
+    position: sticky;
+    left: 0;
+    top: 0;
+    height: 100vh;
+    flex: 1 1 auto;
     nav {
-        height: 100vh;
+        height: 100%;
         flex-direction: column;
-        >div.sidebar-top-level-items {
-            flex: 1;
-            overflow: auto;
+        > div {
+            width: 100%;
+            &.sidebar-top-level-items {
+                flex: 1;
+                overflow: auto;
+            }
         }
+
+        .section-header-text {
+            display: inline;
+        }
+
         .navbar-nav {
-            min-width: $admin-sidebar-width;
-            > * {
+            > li, > a {
                 padding: $spacer/2 $spacer;
                 &.active {
                     background-color: $admin-sidebar-dark;
                 }
+                .fa-fw {
+                    text-align: left;
+                    width: 1.75em;
+                }
             }
             .sidebar-sub-level-items {
                 list-style: disc;
@@ -28,13 +43,15 @@
             .admin-menu-header {
                 background-color: $admin-sidebar-dark;
                 img {
-
                     height: 1em;
                     vertical-align: baseline;
                 }
-                h4 {
-                    display: inline;
-                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        &.active {
+            .section-header-text, .fa-chevron-right {
+                display: none;
             }
         }
     }
diff --git a/src/app/+admin/admin-sidebar/admin-sidebar.component.ts b/src/app/+admin/admin-sidebar/admin-sidebar.component.ts
index 34efaad67d..2317e612da 100644
--- a/src/app/+admin/admin-sidebar/admin-sidebar.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/+admin/admin-sidebar/admin-sidebar.component.ts
@@ -1,34 +1,41 @@
-import { Component } from '@angular/core';
+import { Component, OnInit } from '@angular/core';
 import { Observable } from 'rxjs/internal/Observable';
-import { createSelector, MemoizedSelector, select, Store } from '@ngrx/store';
-import { AdminSidebarSectionsState, AdminSidebarSectionState } from './admin-sidebar.reducer';
+import { MemoizedSelector, select, Store } from '@ngrx/store';
+import { AdminSidebarSectionState, AdminSidebarState, } from './admin-sidebar.reducer';
 import { hasValue } from '../../shared/empty.util';
 import { map } from 'rxjs/operators';
-import { AdminSidebarSectionToggleAction } from './admin-sidebar.actions';
+import { AdminSidebarSectionToggleAction, AdminSidebarToggleAction } from './admin-sidebar.actions';
+import { AppState, keySelector } from '../../app.reducer';
+import { slideSidebar } from '../../shared/animations/slide';
+import { CSSVariableService } from '../../shared/sass-helper/sass-helper.service';
 
-const sidebarSectionStateSelector = (state: AdminSidebarSectionsState) => state.adminSidebarSection;
+const sidebarSectionStateSelector = (state: AppState) => state.adminSidebar.sections;
+const sidebarStateSelector = (state) => state.adminSidebar;
 
-const sectionByNameSelector = (name: string): MemoizedSelector<AdminSidebarSectionsState, AdminSidebarSectionState> => {
-  return keySelector<AdminSidebarSectionState>(name);
+const sectionByNameSelector = (name: string): MemoizedSelector<AppState, AdminSidebarSectionState> => {
+  return keySelector<AdminSidebarSectionState>(name, sidebarSectionStateSelector);
 };
 
-export function keySelector<T>(key: string): MemoizedSelector<AdminSidebarSectionsState, T> {
-  return createSelector(sidebarSectionStateSelector, (state: AdminSidebarSectionState) => {
-    if (hasValue(state)) {
-      return state[key];
-    } else {
-      return undefined;
-    }
-  });
-}
 @Component({
   selector: 'ds-admin-sidebar',
   templateUrl: './admin-sidebar.component.html',
   styleUrls: ['./admin-sidebar.component.scss'],
+  animations: [slideSidebar]
 })
-export class AdminSidebarComponent {
-  constructor(private store: Store<AdminSidebarSectionsState>) {
+export class AdminSidebarComponent implements OnInit {
+  sidebarCollapsed: Observable<boolean>;
+  sidebarWidth: Observable<string>;
 
+  constructor(private store: Store<AdminSidebarState>,
+              private variableService: CSSVariableService) {
+  }
+
+  ngOnInit(): void {
+    this.sidebarWidth = this.variableService.getVariable('adminSidebarWidth')
+    this.sidebarCollapsed = this.store.pipe(
+      select(sidebarStateSelector),
+      map((state: AdminSidebarState) => state.collapsed)
+    );
   }
 
   public active(name: string): Observable<boolean> {
@@ -38,8 +45,13 @@ export class AdminSidebarComponent {
     );
   }
 
-  toggle(event: Event, name: string) {
+  toggleSection(event: Event, name: string) {
     event.preventDefault();
     this.store.dispatch(new AdminSidebarSectionToggleAction(name));
   }
+
+  toggle(event: Event) {
+    event.preventDefault();
+    this.store.dispatch(new AdminSidebarToggleAction());
+  }
 }
diff --git a/src/app/+admin/admin-sidebar/admin-sidebar.reducer.ts b/src/app/+admin/admin-sidebar/admin-sidebar.reducer.ts
index a2549a2374..afec64421e 100644
--- a/src/app/+admin/admin-sidebar/admin-sidebar.reducer.ts
+++ b/src/app/+admin/admin-sidebar/admin-sidebar.reducer.ts
@@ -1,56 +1,100 @@
-import { AdminSidebarSectionAction, AdminSidebarSectionActionTypes } from './admin-sidebar.actions';
+import {
+  AdminSidebarAction,
+  AdminSidebarSectionAction,
+  AdminSidebarActionTypes
+} from './admin-sidebar.actions';
 import { hasValue } from '../../shared/empty.util';
 
 /**
- * Interface that represents the state for a single section
+ * Interface that represents the state for a single sidebar section
  */
 export interface AdminSidebarSectionState {
-  sectionCollapsed: boolean,
+  sectionCollapsed: boolean;
 }
 
-/**
- * Interface that represents the state for all available sections
- */
 export interface AdminSidebarSectionsState {
-  [name: string]: AdminSidebarSectionState
+  [name: string]: AdminSidebarSectionState;
 }
 
-const initialState: AdminSidebarSectionsState = Object.create(null);
-const initiallyCollapsed = true;
 /**
- * Performs a search section action on the current state
- * @param {AdminSidebarSectionsState} state The state before the action is performed
- * @param {AdminSidebarSectionAction} action The action that should be performed
- * @returns {AdminSidebarSectionsState} The state after the action is performed
+ * Interface that represents the state of the admin sidebar and its sections
  */
-export function sidebarSectionReducer(state = initialState, action: AdminSidebarSectionAction): AdminSidebarSectionsState {
+export interface AdminSidebarState {
+  sections: AdminSidebarSectionsState,
+  collapsed: boolean;
+}
 
+const initialState: AdminSidebarState = Object.create(null);
+const initiallySectionCollapsed = true;
+const initiallyCollapsed = false;
+
+/**
+ * Performs a sidebar action on the current state
+ * @param {AdminSidebarState} state The state before the action is performed
+ * @param {AdminSidebarAction} action The action that should be performed
+ * @returns {AdminSidebarState} The state after the action is performed
+ */
+export function adminSidebarReducer(state = initialState, action: AdminSidebarAction): AdminSidebarState {
+
+  if (action instanceof AdminSidebarSectionAction) {
+    return reduceSectionAction(state, action);
+  } else {
+    switch (action.type) {
+      case AdminSidebarActionTypes.COLLAPSE: {
+        return Object.assign({}, state, {
+          collapsed: true
+        });
+      }
+
+      case AdminSidebarActionTypes.EXPAND: {
+        return Object.assign({}, state, {
+          collapsed: false
+        });
+
+      }
+      case AdminSidebarActionTypes.TOGGLE: {
+        const currentState = state.collapsed;
+        const collapsed = hasValue(currentState) ? currentState : initiallyCollapsed;
+        return Object.assign({}, state, {
+          collapsed: !collapsed
+        });
+      }
+      default: {
+        return state;
+      }
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+function reduceSectionAction(state: AdminSidebarState, action: AdminSidebarSectionAction): AdminSidebarState {
   switch (action.type) {
-    case AdminSidebarSectionActionTypes.COLLAPSE: {
-      return Object.assign({}, state, {
+    case AdminSidebarActionTypes.SECTION_COLLAPSE: {
+      const sections = Object.assign({}, state.sections, {
         [action.sectionName]: {
           sectionCollapsed: true,
         }
       });
+      return Object.assign({}, state, { sections });
     }
 
-    case AdminSidebarSectionActionTypes.EXPAND: {
-      return Object.assign({}, state, {
+    case AdminSidebarActionTypes.SECTION_EXPAND: {
+      const sections = Object.assign({}, state.sections, {
         [action.sectionName]: {
           sectionCollapsed: false,
         }
       });
+      return Object.assign({}, state, { sections });
 
     }
-    case AdminSidebarSectionActionTypes.TOGGLE: {
-      const currentState = state[action.sectionName];
-      const collapsed = hasValue(currentState) ? currentState.sectionCollapsed : initiallyCollapsed;
-      return Object.assign({}, state, {
+    case AdminSidebarActionTypes.SECTION_TOGGLE: {
+      const currentState = state.sections;
+      const collapsed = (hasValue(currentState) && currentState[action.sectionName]) ? currentState[action.sectionName].sectionCollapsed : initiallySectionCollapsed;
+      const sections = Object.assign({}, state.sections, {
         [action.sectionName]: {
           sectionCollapsed: !collapsed,
         }
       });
-
+      return Object.assign({}, state, { sections });
     }
 
     default: {
diff --git a/src/app/+home-page/home-news/home-news.component.scss b/src/app/+home-page/home-news/home-news.component.scss
index 4f4c6df128..a1bb43af91 100644
--- a/src/app/+home-page/home-news/home-news.component.scss
+++ b/src/app/+home-page/home-news/home-news.component.scss
@@ -8,6 +8,9 @@
 
 .dspace-logo-container {
   margin: 10px 20px 0px 20px;
+  .display-3 {
+    word-break: break-word;
+  }
 }
 
 .dspace-logo-container img {
diff --git a/src/app/app.component.scss b/src/app/app.component.scss
index ed4fde20cb..4a401b604a 100644
--- a/src/app/app.component.scss
+++ b/src/app/app.component.scss
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 @import '../styles/variables.scss';
-@import '../styles/font-awesome-imports.scss';
+@import '../styles/helpers/font_awesome_imports.scss';
 @import '../../node_modules/bootstrap/scss/bootstrap.scss';
 @import '../../node_modules/nouislider/distribute/nouislider.min.css';
 
diff --git a/src/app/app.component.ts b/src/app/app.component.ts
index 7d4bfe4f33..0551b4f453 100644
--- a/src/app/app.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/app.component.ts
@@ -23,6 +23,8 @@ import { NativeWindowRef, NativeWindowService } from './shared/services/window.s
 import { isAuthenticated } from './core/auth/selectors';
 import { AuthService } from './core/auth/auth.service';
 import { Angulartics2GoogleAnalytics } from 'angulartics2/ga';
+import variables from '../styles/_exposed_variables.scss';
+import { CSSVariableService } from './shared/sass-helper/sass-helper.service';
 
 @Component({
   selector: 'ds-app',
@@ -42,7 +44,8 @@ export class AppComponent implements OnInit, AfterViewInit {
     private metadata: MetadataService,
     private angulartics2GoogleAnalytics: Angulartics2GoogleAnalytics,
     private authService: AuthService,
-    private router: Router
+    private router: Router,
+    private cssService: CSSVariableService
   ) {
     // this language will be used as a fallback when a translation isn't found in the current language
     translate.setDefaultLang('en');
@@ -54,6 +57,8 @@ export class AppComponent implements OnInit, AfterViewInit {
     if (config.debug) {
       console.info(config);
     }
+    this.storeCSSVariables();
+
   }
 
   ngOnInit() {
@@ -67,7 +72,13 @@ export class AppComponent implements OnInit, AfterViewInit {
       first(),
       filter((authenticated) => !authenticated)
     ).subscribe((authenticated) => this.authService.checkAuthenticationToken());
+  }
 
+  private storeCSSVariables() {
+    const vars = variables.locals;
+    Object.keys(vars).forEach((name: string) => {
+      this.cssService.addCSSVariable(name, vars[name]);
+    })
   }
 
   ngAfterViewInit() {
diff --git a/src/app/app.reducer.ts b/src/app/app.reducer.ts
index 6e524cef84..0af51e1dc8 100644
--- a/src/app/app.reducer.ts
+++ b/src/app/app.reducer.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { ActionReducerMap } from '@ngrx/store';
+import { ActionReducerMap, createSelector, MemoizedSelector } from '@ngrx/store';
 import * as fromRouter from '@ngrx/router-store';
 import { hostWindowReducer, HostWindowState } from './shared/host-window.reducer';
 import { formReducer, FormState } from './shared/form/form.reducer';
@@ -17,9 +17,11 @@ import {
 import { truncatableReducer, TruncatablesState } from './shared/truncatable/truncatable.reducer';
 import { navbarReducer, NavbarState } from './navbar/navbar.reducer';
 import {
-  AdminSidebarSectionsState,
-  sidebarSectionReducer
+  adminSidebarReducer,
+  AdminSidebarState
 } from './+admin/admin-sidebar/admin-sidebar.reducer';
+import { hasValue } from './shared/empty.util';
+import { cssVariablesReducer, CSSVariablesState } from './shared/sass-helper/sass-helper.reducer';
 
 export interface AppState {
   router: fromRouter.RouterReducerState;
@@ -30,7 +32,8 @@ export interface AppState {
   searchSidebar: SearchSidebarState;
   searchFilter: SearchFiltersState;
   truncatable: TruncatablesState;
-  adminSidebarSection: AdminSidebarSectionsState;
+  adminSidebar: AdminSidebarState;
+  cssVariables: CSSVariablesState;
 }
 
 export const appReducers: ActionReducerMap<AppState> = {
@@ -42,7 +45,18 @@ export const appReducers: ActionReducerMap<AppState> = {
   searchSidebar: sidebarReducer,
   searchFilter: filterReducer,
   truncatable: truncatableReducer,
-  adminSidebarSection: sidebarSectionReducer
+  adminSidebar: adminSidebarReducer,
+  cssVariables: cssVariablesReducer,
 };
 
 export const routerStateSelector = (state: AppState) => state.router;
+
+export function keySelector<T>(key: string, selector): MemoizedSelector<AppState, T> {
+  return createSelector(selector, (state) => {
+    if (hasValue(state)) {
+      return state[key];
+    } else {
+      return undefined;
+    }
+  });
+}
diff --git a/src/app/core/core.module.ts b/src/app/core/core.module.ts
index 73e97c7933..bf245b4f32 100644
--- a/src/app/core/core.module.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/core.module.ts
@@ -64,6 +64,7 @@ import { NotificationsService } from '../shared/notifications/notifications.serv
 import { UploaderService } from '../shared/uploader/uploader.service';
 import { BrowseItemsResponseParsingService } from './data/browse-items-response-parsing-service';
 import { DSpaceObjectDataService } from './data/dspace-object-data.service';
+import { CSSVariableService } from '../shared/sass-helper/sass-helper.service';
 
 const IMPORTS = [
   CommonModule,
@@ -128,6 +129,7 @@ const PROVIDERS = [
   UploaderService,
   UUIDService,
   DSpaceObjectDataService,
+  CSSVariableService,
   // register AuthInterceptor as HttpInterceptor
   {
     provide: HTTP_INTERCEPTORS,
diff --git a/src/app/navbar/navbar.component.ts b/src/app/navbar/navbar.component.ts
index f4a7db9e8f..f25298ee64 100644
--- a/src/app/navbar/navbar.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/navbar/navbar.component.ts
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ export class NavbarComponent {
 
   constructor(
     private store: Store<AppState>,
-    protected windowService: HostWindowService
+    public windowService: HostWindowService
   ) {
   }
 
diff --git a/src/app/shared/animations/focus.ts b/src/app/shared/animations/focus.ts
index 33a5010629..ec9c5020ce 100644
--- a/src/app/shared/animations/focus.ts
+++ b/src/app/shared/animations/focus.ts
@@ -2,18 +2,18 @@ import { animate, state, transition, trigger, style } from '@angular/animations'
 
 export const focusShadow = trigger('focusShadow', [
 
-  state('focus', style({ 'box-shadow': 'rgba(119, 119, 119, 0.6) 0px 0px 6px' })),
+  state('focus', style({ boxShadow: 'rgba(119, 119, 119, 0.6) 0px 0px 6px' })),
 
-  state('blur', style({ 'box-shadow': 'none' })),
+  state('blur', style({ boxShadow: 'none' })),
 
-  transition('focus <=> blur', animate(250))
+  transition('focus <=> blur', [animate('250ms')])
 ]);
 
 export const focusBackground = trigger('focusBackground', [
 
-  state('focus', style({ 'background-color': 'rgba(119, 119, 119, 0.1)' })),
+  state('focus', style({ backgroundColor: 'rgba(119, 119, 119, 0.1)' })),
 
-  state('blur', style({ 'background-color': 'transparent' })),
+  state('blur', style({ backgroundColor: 'transparent' })),
 
-  transition('focus <=> blur', animate(250))
+  transition('focus <=> blur', [animate('250ms')])
 ]);
diff --git a/src/app/shared/animations/slide.ts b/src/app/shared/animations/slide.ts
index 20f63897ea..ce4e2a5a2d 100644
--- a/src/app/shared/animations/slide.ts
+++ b/src/app/shared/animations/slide.ts
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ export const slide = trigger('slide', [
 
   state('collapsed', style({ height: 0 })),
 
-  transition('expanded <=> collapsed', animate(250))
+  transition('expanded <=> collapsed', animate('250ms'))
 ]);
 
 export const slideMobileNav = trigger('slideMobileNav', [
@@ -15,5 +15,17 @@ export const slideMobileNav = trigger('slideMobileNav', [
 
   state('collapsed', style({ height: 0 })),
 
-  transition('expanded <=> collapsed', animate(300))
+  transition('expanded <=> collapsed', animate('300ms'))
+]);
+
+export const slideSidebar = trigger('slideSidebar', [
+
+  state('expanded',
+    style({ width: '{{ sidebarWidth }}' }),
+    { params: { sidebarWidth: '*' } }
+  ),
+
+  state('collapsed', style({ width: '*' })),
+
+  transition('expanded <=> collapsed', animate('300ms ease-in-out')),
 ]);
diff --git a/src/app/shared/host-window.service.spec.ts b/src/app/shared/host-window.service.spec.ts
index e4f0aa9d35..b8c7e54ade 100644
--- a/src/app/shared/host-window.service.spec.ts
+++ b/src/app/shared/host-window.service.spec.ts
@@ -3,7 +3,13 @@ import { cold, hot } from 'jasmine-marbles';
 import { of as observableOf } from 'rxjs';
 import { AppState } from '../app.reducer';
 
-import { GridBreakpoint, HostWindowService, WidthCategory } from './host-window.service';
+import { HostWindowService, WidthCategory } from './host-window.service';
+enum GridBreakpoint {
+  SM_MIN = 576,
+  MD_MIN = 768,
+  LG_MIN = 992,
+  XL_MIN = 1200
+}
 
 describe('HostWindowService', () => {
   let service: HostWindowService;
diff --git a/src/app/shared/host-window.service.ts b/src/app/shared/host-window.service.ts
index 09ac7c7995..9d16ca8f6e 100644
--- a/src/app/shared/host-window.service.ts
+++ b/src/app/shared/host-window.service.ts
@@ -1,20 +1,13 @@
 import { combineLatest as observableCombineLatest, Observable } from 'rxjs';
 
-import { filter, distinctUntilChanged, map } from 'rxjs/operators';
+import { filter, distinctUntilChanged, map, first } from 'rxjs/operators';
 import { HostWindowState } from './host-window.reducer';
 import { Injectable } from '@angular/core';
 import { createSelector, select, Store } from '@ngrx/store';
 
 import { hasValue } from './empty.util';
 import { AppState } from '../app.reducer';
-
-// TODO: ideally we should get these from sass somehow
-export enum GridBreakpoint {
-  SM_MIN = 576,
-  MD_MIN = 768,
-  LG_MIN = 992,
-  XL_MIN = 1200
-}
+import { CSSVariableService } from './sass-helper/sass-helper.service';
 
 export enum WidthCategory {
   XS,
@@ -29,10 +22,19 @@ const widthSelector = createSelector(hostWindowStateSelector, (hostWindow: HostW
 
 @Injectable()
 export class HostWindowService {
+  private breakPoints: { XS_MIN, SM_MIN, MD_MIN, LG_MIN, XL_MIN } = {} as any;
 
   constructor(
-    private store: Store<AppState>
+    private store: Store<AppState>,
+    private variableService: CSSVariableService
   ) {
+    /* See _exposed_variables.scss */
+    variableService.getAllVariables().pipe(first()).subscribe((variables) => {
+      this.breakPoints.XL_MIN = parseInt(variables.xlMin, 10);
+      this.breakPoints.LG_MIN = parseInt(variables.lgMin, 10);
+      this.breakPoints.MD_MIN = parseInt(variables.mdMin, 10);
+      this.breakPoints.SM_MIN = parseInt(variables.smMin, 10);
+    });
   }
 
   private getWidthObs(): Observable<number> {
@@ -45,13 +47,13 @@ export class HostWindowService {
   get widthCategory(): Observable<WidthCategory> {
     return this.getWidthObs().pipe(
       map((width: number) => {
-        if (width < GridBreakpoint.SM_MIN) {
+        if (width < this.breakPoints.SM_MIN) {
           return WidthCategory.XS
-        } else if (width >= GridBreakpoint.SM_MIN && width < GridBreakpoint.MD_MIN) {
+        } else if (width >= this.breakPoints.SM_MIN && width < this.breakPoints.MD_MIN) {
           return WidthCategory.SM
-        } else if (width >= GridBreakpoint.MD_MIN && width < GridBreakpoint.LG_MIN) {
+        } else if (width >= this.breakPoints.MD_MIN && width < this.breakPoints.LG_MIN) {
           return WidthCategory.MD
-        } else if (width >= GridBreakpoint.LG_MIN && width < GridBreakpoint.XL_MIN) {
+        } else if (width >= this.breakPoints.LG_MIN && width < this.breakPoints.XL_MIN) {
           return WidthCategory.LG
         } else {
           return WidthCategory.XL
diff --git a/src/app/shared/sass-helper/sass-helper.actions.ts b/src/app/shared/sass-helper/sass-helper.actions.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..82890c074e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/shared/sass-helper/sass-helper.actions.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+import { Action } from '@ngrx/store';
+import { type } from '../../shared/ngrx/type';
+
+/**
+ * For each action type in an action group, make a simple
+ * enum object for all of this group's action types.
+ *
+ * The 'type' utility function coerces strings into string
+ * literal types and runs a simple check to guarantee all
+ * action types in the application are unique.
+ */
+export const CSSVariableActionTypes = {
+  ADD: type('dspace/css-variables/ADD'),
+};
+
+export class AddCSSVariableAction implements Action {
+  type = CSSVariableActionTypes.ADD;
+  payload: {
+    name: string,
+    value: string
+  };
+
+  constructor(name: string, value: string) {
+    this.payload = {name, value};
+  }
+}
+/* tslint:enable:max-classes-per-file */
+
+export type CSSVariableAction = AddCSSVariableAction
diff --git a/src/app/shared/sass-helper/sass-helper.reducer.ts b/src/app/shared/sass-helper/sass-helper.reducer.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..6f080619fa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/shared/sass-helper/sass-helper.reducer.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+import { CSSVariableAction, CSSVariableActionTypes } from './sass-helper.actions';
+
+export interface CSSVariablesState {
+  [name: string]: string;
+}
+
+const initialState: CSSVariablesState = Object.create({});
+
+export function cssVariablesReducer(state = initialState, action: CSSVariableAction): CSSVariablesState {
+  switch (action.type) {
+    case CSSVariableActionTypes.ADD: {
+      const variable = action.payload;
+      const t =  Object.assign({}, state, { [variable.name]: variable.value });
+      return t;
+    }
+    default: {
+      return state;
+    }
+  }
+}
diff --git a/src/app/shared/sass-helper/sass-helper.service.ts b/src/app/shared/sass-helper/sass-helper.service.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..7d32004daa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/shared/sass-helper/sass-helper.service.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+import { Inject, Injectable } from '@angular/core';
+import { AppState, keySelector } from '../../app.reducer';
+import { MemoizedSelector, select, Store } from '@ngrx/store';
+import { GLOBAL_CONFIG } from '../../../config';
+import { GlobalConfig } from '../../../config/global-config.interface';
+import { AddCSSVariableAction } from './sass-helper.actions';
+
+@Injectable()
+export class CSSVariableService {
+  constructor(
+    protected store: Store<AppState>,
+    @Inject(GLOBAL_CONFIG) protected EnvConfig: GlobalConfig) {
+  }
+
+  addCSSVariable(name: string, value: string) {
+    this.store.dispatch(new AddCSSVariableAction(name, value));
+  }
+
+  getVariable(name: string) {
+    return this.store.pipe(select(themeVariableByNameSelector(name)));
+  }
+
+  getAllVariables() {
+    return this.store.pipe(select(themeVariablesSelector));
+  }
+
+}
+
+const themeVariablesSelector = (state: AppState) => state.cssVariables;
+
+const themeVariableByNameSelector = (name: string): MemoizedSelector<AppState, string> => {
+  return keySelector<string>(name, themeVariablesSelector);
+};
diff --git a/src/app/typings.d.ts b/src/app/typings.d.ts
index f3b4a1a548..64067e7249 100644
--- a/src/app/typings.d.ts
+++ b/src/app/typings.d.ts
@@ -82,3 +82,8 @@ declare module '*.json' {
 }
 
 declare module 'reflect-metadata';
+
+declare module '*.scss' {
+  const content: any;
+  export default content;
+}
diff --git a/src/styles/_exposed_variables.scss b/src/styles/_exposed_variables.scss
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..bcc4ec1add
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/styles/_exposed_variables.scss
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+@import '_variables.scss';
+
+:export {
+    adminSidebarWidth: $admin-sidebar-width;
+    xlMin: map-get($grid-breakpoints, xl);
+    mdMin: map-get($grid-breakpoints, md);
+    lgMin: map-get($grid-breakpoints, lg);
+    smMin: map-get($grid-breakpoints, sm);
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/styles/_font-awesome-imports.scss b/src/styles/helpers/_font_awesome_imports.scss
similarity index 100%
rename from src/styles/_font-awesome-imports.scss
rename to src/styles/helpers/_font_awesome_imports.scss
diff --git a/webpack/webpack.common.js b/webpack/webpack.common.js
index f8e1e7c2a4..7fb4656a15 100644
--- a/webpack/webpack.common.js
+++ b/webpack/webpack.common.js
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 const CopyWebpackPlugin = require('copy-webpack-plugin');
-
+const path = require('path');
 const {
     root,
     join
@@ -37,7 +37,8 @@ module.exports = {
                     {
                         loader: 'css-loader',
                         options: {
-                            sourceMap: true
+                            sourceMap: true,
+                            modules: true
                         }
                     },
                     {
@@ -50,7 +51,9 @@ module.exports = {
             },
             {
                 test: /\.scss$/,
-                exclude: /node_modules/,
+                exclude: [/node_modules/,
+                    path.resolve(__dirname,  '..', 'src/styles/_exposed_variables.scss')
+                ],
                 use: [{
                     loader: 'to-string-loader',
                     options: {
@@ -62,12 +65,6 @@ module.exports = {
                         sourceMap: true
                     }
                 },
-                    {
-                        loader: 'postcss-loader',
-                        options: {
-                            sourceMap: true
-                        }
-                    },
                     {
                         loader: 'resolve-url-loader',
                         options: {
@@ -82,6 +79,15 @@ module.exports = {
                     }
                 ]
             },
+            {
+                test: /_exposed_variables.scss$/,
+                exclude: /node_modules/,
+                use: [{
+                    loader: "css-loader" // translates CSS into CommonJS
+                }, {
+                    loader: "sass-loader" // compiles Sass to CSS
+                }]
+            },
             {
                 test: /\.html$/,
                 loader: 'raw-loader'