Ubuntu is a popular Linux distribution – among the most user-friendly (although Linux Mint etc. are better in that regard) of all. Like any other Linux flavour, it is open-source and has a huge community behind it. Being open-source, Ubuntu can be customized extensively.
Unfortunately, for an OS that holds such promise, Ubuntu’s appearance (or themes) have always fallen short of expectation. Default theme revamps were promised several times, only to be pushed to the next release due to time constraints. This has not stopped talented artists from creating their own themes for Ubuntu.
Themes in Ubuntu are a combination of several things: GTK theme, login theme, icons, wallpapers etc. You can read the instructions to install an Ubuntu theme if you do not how.
Here is a little collection of Ubuntu themes that I liked – among those included are dark themes, glossy and non-glossy, and some Mac OS X look-alikes.
Free Ubuntu themes
Mac 4 Lin theme
If you like Mac OS X interface, this theme is worth a try. It skins just about every part of Ubuntu, and is being actively developed.
Glow
A set of several themes (with 8 variations): Cinder (grey), Fire (red), Flower (pink), Grass (green), Ice (silver blue), Lava (darker orange), Sand (orange), and Water (blue). Each variation contains light and dark versions.
Moomex (dark theme)
A beautiful dark theme. Some elements look like Mac OS X.
Linux Mint
Dust Cold
Schwermetall
Aurora Detour
Dust Mac
Burn Orange Ice theme
Orange theme with custom panel background, Metacity theme and emerald theme.
Soffice
A Clearlooks theme (also runs on Aurora engine).
Ubuntu Blue Mod
xl Monochrome
You can find more themes at the Gnome Look website (assuming you use GNOME. If you don’t know what that is, you are probably running GNOME, so do not worry about it).
Related reading
- Install Ubuntu Linux themes
- 5 beautiful Mac OS X-style Firefox themes
- I’ve switched to Ubuntu Linux – post your tips here
- Ubuntu-Book: Macbook owner installs Ubuntu on a Macbook?