Visually Appealing WordPress Themes

Never Judge a Book by It’s Cover - Unknown

It’s human nature that we continue to go by the cover and assume/imagine how the book is going to treat you. The same thing happens with themes. The first thing that you visitor sets his/her eyes is your header. It’s important to have a good header image. First impression is the best impression.

This post although might look as if it would had taken some 20 minutes to write and publish, but it was not the case. I’m tired of searching for good looking themes that are unique and don’t look like most of the other themes (atleast to some extent). I spend more than 15 hours to research and scout for a perfect theme of my liking (and not to forget the time it took to write/edit and publish). Although I didn’t find a worth theme to don my WP blog, I thought I could write about themes that caught my attention.

I searched for almost all the places where we find WordPress themes. I looked at del.icio.us, Flickr , deviantART, WP theme browser, Google Images, Technorati and what not.

Let’s see what themes I found which are good looking and that are not out-of-the-box looks….

Template Monster

This was the first site which I came across for some great looking unique WP themes. They add 5 new themes very week. Browse the site just to see how good themes can look. You’ll won’t like any other themes after you see their WP themes!

Template Monster WordPress Themes

The themes cost anywhere between 49-60$. It’s costly for me, but some bloggers who earn big money can afford them. They are still cheaper than custom made themes that cost more than 200 $.

They also give 5 Free Themes. They are nowhere near compared to the paid themes, but still they look very good. Their is a “simple” survey that you need to complete to download the themes.

Template Monster Free WordPress Themes

Blogging Themes

Blogging Themes gives 11 Free Wordpress themes and some of the themes are worth a look. It got more left sidebar themes which I don’t like as I’m a right hander.

Blogging Themes

Sw4n Wordpress Themes:

It got a list of 8 themes which I think is visually appealing. Atleast they look better than the standard themes that we get to see.

Sw4n Wordpress Themes

WP Themes .Info

They provide 10 free themes and a theme which you need to pay (9$ only). I’m using the theme that Sadish Bala created. They emphasis on good header image, light colored 2 column themes. Their recent theme Misty Look is one the theme that I really liked and almost thought of installing.

WP Themes .Info

I feel Dirty Theme

Most Downloaded theme from the WP theme browser. I was thinking of using this theme, but again it didn’t have a header image and the “about” shared the top header space. Otherwise even though it’s called I feel Dirty, you’ll feel cool after you use this theme!

I feel Dirty

Cherry Blossom Theme

Cherry Blossom WP theme is a good example of a clean theme with good looks. Fairer sex bloggers might like these style.

Cherry Blossom

Relaxation3 Theme

It’s a Widget ready, 3 Column theme. I really like the header and we can change them as well. The authors gives the us the .psd file also. There are a lot of variation to the header image. The only reason I didn’t want to use this theme is it 3 column and it requires horizontal browsing with my Firefox.

Relaxation3 3 Coloumn Theme

Whats in a Name Theme

A good looking theme with a good header image but the only problem is that the image is too big and covers most of the browser’s viewing area (when not scrolled down). Otherwise a good theme to use.

Whats in a Name

Pixelinghoney

Pixelinghoney has themes which tiny tots will like. You can install for your young ones (if they blog!) or blogs that target young viewers. Themes are free to use but you must link them, like in footer.

Pixelinghoney

Some places where you can find loads of Themes…

WordPressTheme viewer

The official place where you can browse, test run and download themes. I browsed here for more than 2 hours, but still I can’t find really good looking themes that are somewhat unique. Still it’s the place, all the newbies should check out for some great WP themes.

Theme viewer

Comprehensive list of 980+ Free WordPress Themes

Great list but you have to visit each site individually to see theme in action. Needs update as well as some links are dead.

Comprehensive list of 980+ Free WordPress Themes

WordPress Garden

This is a site that you don’t want to miss. All the themes are unique and you’ll go gaga over them. It’s a pity that I suck in designing and also I can’t afford to buy/get designed by others also.

WordPress Garden

I’m looking for themes that are 2 Columns, good header image,provision of links in the header (like Home, contact me, etc..) , right side sidebar, light coloured, fit my 800*600 browser screen resolution. The theme should be good looking and visually appealing. I thought of buying a theme, but I can’t afford 200 odd $ on theme alone. I don’t make that kind of money also.

So if anyone comes across good looking, visually appealing themes, let me know. I’m looking for a good header image to fit in this blog, let me know where to find good high quality images. You’ll get a cookie if I find the things I want!