Top 10 phpbb3 styles

First of all i’d like you to know that a neat phpbb3 style isn’t defined by it’s shiny header or other brand-related eye candy that will probably be removed once you decide to use that certain style. Keep in mind that a great style should be simple, easy to use, fast, stress free and of course nice looking.

In conclusion: don’t mind the header because you’ll probably remove it with a themed one anyway, don’t let the imageset change your mind because it’s very easy to replace it, don’t mind the impressive background because chances are very high that you’ll need to change that too. Its more than likely that right about now you’ll be asking yourself the question: “Ok, then what should i look for ?”. The layout. Make sure the layout is fully stylished and that no areas are left behind so that your users will have a pleasant bugs-free experience. Also make sure that it’s an easy to customize theme so that you won’t have any problems changing different aspects. Be aware of the third-party javascript’s that may be needed or any other auxiliary stuff.

1. BF_Vista

An interesting looking style based on subsilver2. Neat looking icons and plenty eye candy even for a Web 2.0 lover. PSD files for logos are included. Rotating background images feature (you just need to include your background images in the /images/bg folder and the script will do the rest from there). Unfortunately the transparency effect may slow down browsing. Show/Hide toggle buttons would be nice for showing and hiding sections. Overall it’s a nice looking style but i think it’s a little hard to customize it by following a different theme approach other than Vista.

Demo

Download BF_Vista and background package.

2. AeroBlue

Another style covered by Vista theme. Really intuitive imageset however in the inner section of a sub forum the posts related icons are too small. Nice looking hover effect added to the search field as well as post list and forum list. Numerous PSD files included. Fixed and fluid width versions are included.

Demo

Download AeroBlue

3. CodeBlack

A black, simple and fast style. Good looking imageset and interesting “Offline/Online” text showing in the profile row. Also numerous PSD files included. There’s nothing much to say about this one as it’s plain and simple. I almost forgot to mention that it’s really easy to apply a certain theme to it.

Demo

Download CodeBlack

4. X-Treme

A lot of Photoshop and CSS went into this one. Unfortunately it takes a little bit long to load the graphics set. Great looking, ideal for gamers clans forums. PSD files for logo, matching avatars, matching ranks and signature are included. Also smilies and topic icons are available (with instructions on how to use). “Liveclock” javascript is also included. Many instructions files are available (which is great). I’m not pleased by the hover effect on the posts list. Great threads icons are available (big and shiny).

Demo

Download X-Treme

5. SkyBlue

Some imageset problems (nothing big) but overall it’s a neat style. Check out this other article of mine if you’re into this style.

Demo

Download SkyBlue

6. bo2Soft

Clean blueish interface with nice looking round corners. Maybe the best looking imageset (finally a custom icon_topic_latest.gif) yet with original icons like “New topic”, “Post reply”, “profile”, “e-mail” and many more. Easy to apply a different theme approach.

Demo

Download bo2Soft

7. Proglass

If you are a fan of prosilver this blueish prosilver interface with nice a looking blue imageset is the thing for you. It’s very fast, simple and easy to use. However the typically fact for prosilver is the right aligned user profile. If you want to align it to the left you shouldn’t run into severe problems but if you do make sure you drop me a few lines and i will get back to you with the solution. If you like this style you might want to give it a try to Proglass Red which has a cooler imageset. Logo PSD included for the red version.

Demo for Proglass or Proglass Red

Download Proglass or Proglass Red

8. Smooth Blue

Huge amount of blue (maybe too much?). Original imageset with cool buttons and icons. Hover effect is implemented ok but is slowing down the browsing of the forum. Metal like round corners. Unfortunately the demo forum is very slow.

Demo

Download Smooth Blue

9. N.Design

Rotating header. Unique and very appropriate imageset. An old school, simple, fast and whiteish style.

Demo

Download N.Design

10. Ubuntu

An ideal themed style for your own Ubuntu community. Simple, fast and easy to use. Oh, and of course brown is the color.

Demo

Download Ubuntu

Neat prosilver based styles are hard to find (maybe because they are harder to style) but let’s face the fact that there are some eye cactchy subsilver2 based styles. If you have any suggestions or have a cool style of yourself feel free to drop in a few lines.