You’ve probably noticed how many websites are following the skeuomorphic trend now. It seems the main point of skeuomorphism is about making web pages look and feel like their real-world analogues. As a result, skeuomorphic websites look familiar to users even if they’re visiting them for the first time. For example, you enter patfallonmagic.com – a web page which is designed to look like a book – and you know that you will have to flick through the pages in order to navigate the website. Moreover, you will not be surprised if you even hear the sound of turning pages, but will have an experience similar to the one you would have if you would look through a real book.
Of course, as any other trend, skeuomorphism has both pros and cons. The good thing is that skeuomorphic websites look impressive and unique. Also, skeuomorphic elements make websites more intuitive and easy-to-use because they remind us of things we’re used to (notebooks, Polaroid images, boards, tables, old newspapers, etc).
As for the drawbacks, skeuomorphism is often mentioned as the trend that limits creativity and innovation. It has a lot to do with imitation, but it may happen so that users will not know the original thing being imitated and therefore they will be confused by the layout. Additionally, we can hardly recommend skeuomorphism to those of you who want to build lightweight and fast loading websites and applications.
If you want to know more about this trend, we suggest you to see an interactive infographics about skeuomorphism. And if want your site to be designed in accordance with the skeuomorphic style, then be sure to scroll down. Below you will find 20 WordPress themes with skeuomorphic elements (10 of them are free to use and the other ten are available at a competitive price). We hope you’ll enjoy them as they are not only good for inspiration, but also allow you to build skeuomorphic web pages fast and easy.
Free WP Themes
Leatherly
Vintage Camera
Paper Wall
Chaos
Diary
Wooden Fence
Choco
Food Recipe
Retouch
Papyrus
Premium WP Themes
Education Center
Cookbook
Mocco
Best Apps
Textured Layout
Exterior Design
Taxi
Design Agency
Travel Blog
Personal Blog
Guest Author
Helen Bailey is a Marketing Assistant working for Template Monster. She enjoys writing design-related articles and her favorite topics are website templates, design freebies and the latest web design trends.
Excellent demo.