10 Terrific New Tumblr Themes

We’re big fans of the micro-blogging service Tumblr. Like other blogging platforms including WordPress.com, Posterous and Blogger, Tumblr is free to use and doesn’t require users to install or manage any software on their own servers.

What really makes Tumblr — and Posterous for that matter — stand apart from the pack is that these platforms are extremely easy to use. Posting an image, a quote, a link or a video is very simple, and the reblog feature is a great way to share cool things your friends post.

While Tumblr isn’t quite as advanced as hosted content management systems like WordPress or Drupal, new features have recently hit the service, including Pages and reader-submitted Q&A and contributions.

Tumblr has also ramped up its theme customization options, adding new features to its theme documentation and even offering its own marketplace for premium Tumblr themes.

Over the past few months, Tumblr theming has really been taken up a notch; you might be amazed at some of the designs you can install on your own Tumblr blog.

Check out this slideshow for ten of our favorite new Tumblr themes, and please share your own favorites in the comments!

1. Royal Ribbon

Simon Fletcher's Royal Ribbon theme is a really elegant way to display your content. The colors are beautiful and the typography just pops. We love the subtle use of JavaScript animations for post descriptions and for navigating forward and back.

(Free)

2. International

Chambers Judd's International theme is really simple but really, really beautiful. We like the JavaScript tooltip for the Share functionality and the use of whitespace.

The off-grey background is also a great choice.

(Free)

3. Modern1

Jiew Meng's Modern1 theme is just that, modern. The color combination of light blue and red, matched with stenciled icons and a terrific font make this theme really eye catching.

We also love the use of the sidebar for more options and for linking to other sites and networks.

(Free)

4. Neue

Matt Kempster's Neue theme might not have tons of contrast (though you can make those edits on your own), but it uses large icons and typography in a unique way.

We also love the subtle roll-over effects on the post-type icons.

(Free)

5. Rockstar

WooThemes might be best known for its WordPress creations, but the company also has a line of Tumblr themes! While all of the choices are attractive, Rockstar -- which is based on a personal design that one of the founders used on a previous version of his own blog -- has some great jQuery effects and it's also free!

We love the colors, the use of animations and the hover effects on the different elements.

(Free)

6. Headline

Headline is an impressive theme from Airspace Workshop. In fact, without the Tumblr "Follow/Reblog" buttons, you would likely never even know it was a Tumblr theme.

Great use of space, columns and post types, along with lots of great elements and little touches. If you've ever wanted a magazine-style theme for your Tumblr blog, check out Headline!

(Free)

7. Cardstock

Cardstock is a theme from Parker Quinn that is simple yet beautiful. It's perfect for the minimalist lover and it has some great typography.

(Free)

8. Peapod

Peapod is another theme from Parker Quinn and it, again, uses a great font and stunning typography. It's also utilizes some color elements and post type designations that make the theme really stand out, while still remaining elegant and minimalist.

(Free)

9. Solaris

Solaris is a premium theme from Matthew Buchanan and at $9, it's a solid package.

It comes with support for all kinds of options, including recent tweets, Facebook like buttons and even the option for a dark background.

I like Solaris so much that I use it on my own rarely updated Tumblr blog.

($9)

10. Antiquity

Antiquity is a premium theme from Obox Design, that not only gives you two choices of home page style (single column or multi-column), but also includes quick links to your various social networks, has some great JavaScript effects and incorporates colors and fonts that truly stand out.

This is one of my favorite recent entries to the Tumblr premium marketplace, and the Obox guys continue to add new features to their themes all the time.

($9)

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