Tumblr is a pioneer in the field of microblogging – a new format of publishing for those who want to express their thoughts short and sweet. The primary advantage of Tumblr is that it does not threaten new adopters with a complex back end yet offers limitless possibilities to power users. For instance, if you are a newbie you can click to select a new Tumblr theme. On the contrary, a power user could whip up his/her unique theme with HTML or JavaScript.

In the online Universe, packaging the content is as important as the content itself. You might be the new Wordsworth, but a sleepy blog design will not inspire readers. Now that Tumblr is becoming the undisputed platform of choice for micro blogging, tonnes of themes – free and paid – are available at your disposal.

Today we’ll take a look at twenty-two gorgeous themes to dress up your tumblog.

Premium Tumblr Themes

Cream

Cream

Cream is a simple yet gorgeous theme with subtle textures and creamy tones. The customizable sidebar lets you add content from your Flickr stream.

Nuance

Nuance

Nuance is a minimal and extremely customizable theme. Posts are displayed in boxes arranged neatly in a matrix.

Crisps

Crisps

Crisps is a clean one column theme with a minimal design. I particularly loved the pull out  menu that displays a small bio and following information.

5 In 1 Tumblr Theme

5 In 1 Tumblr

True to its name, the 5 in 1 theme allows your tumblog to sport different colour variations – blue, green, red, orange and purple. Twitter stream integration to the sidebar is very snazzy.

Pixelated

Pixelated

Pixelated is a fantastic premium Tumblr theme with a unique formatting style for every single type of Tumblr post; text, quote, photo etc. It’s a must have if you post in multiple formats.

Stratocaster

Stratocaster

Stratocaster is a flexible two column theme that allows you to move the column left or right. The placement of the search bar and the choice of icons are simply fabulous.

Serious Business

Serious Business

Serious Business is a one column theme with a stunning poster like layout. The arrangement of meta data on the side of the posts is extremely appealing.

CyberDream

CyberDream

CyberDream is a one column theme with a retro design for the uber geeks inside us.

Tumbl News

Tumbl News

Tumbl News is a premium Tumblr theme with a design akin a newspaper. The sidebar has a section to pull content from Flickr and has built in support for 125×125 advertisements for you to make money off your content.

Postcards

Postcards

Postcards is an excellent two column theme with unique formatting style for every single type of Tumblr post.

Lost & Found

Lost & Found

Lost & Found is a cool two column Tumblr theme with splatters of colour. If you like a youthful theme that kind of resembles graffiti, you should go for this theme.

Scaffold

Scaffold

Scaffold is a three column theme with a strong focus on photo and video at the core of its design.

Simplefolio

Simplefolio

Simplefolio is a stunning theme ideal for people who want their portfolio displayed in style. The beauty of this theme is that it does not look like a Tumblr blog but a custom coded portfolio website.

Ribbon Section

Ribbon Section

Ribbon Section is a minimal yet powerful premium theme that puts focus on the pages as well as the posts.

Scribble

Scribble

Scribble is a premium theme that is designed in a handwritten style, setting a relaxed and informal mood to your tumblog.

Rank & File

Rank & File

Rank & File is a group blog theme that supports multiple bloggers with a magazine-esque design. The theme supports Disqus commenting and has a very powerful sidebar that can even act like an independent tumblog.

Solaris

Solaris

Solaris is a one column theme, brilliantly designed to highlight pages in addition to prominently displaying the posts with large fonts. Solaris is one of the unique themes that understands the importance of the search bar placement, subscription and social networking options at the top & at eye level.

FreeTumblr Themes

Ultralite

Ultralite

Ultralite is a single column free theme that could give a premium theme good run for its money. With a white background, large fonts and fantastic formatting of posts, this is a go-to theme if you have a tumblog.

Doodling in Class

Doodling in Class

Got a kid centric tumblog or are you a grown up kid? Doodling in Class is the perfect theme you were looking for.

PhotoBoard

PhotoBoard

PhotoBoard is a funky theme with posts arranged in Polaroid photo sized blocks.

Color Shades

Color Shades

Color Shades is a free theme with exquisite colors, shades and lines that will blow your mind away. If you are bright eyed and bushy tailed, stop looking for another theme.

Esquire

Esquire

Esquire is an exotic theme with large typesets, unique frames for photos and interesting color choices.

Conclusion

Be it free or premium, Tumblr themes are becoming increasingly gorgeous and feature rich each day. If you’re unfamiliar with Tumblr, you can read our extensive review to get started. If you would like to see more Tumblr theme goodness, you can checkout our roundups The Top Twelve Tumblr Themes and The Best Premium Tumblr Themes.

If you know of some great themes, share them with us in the comments below. Thanks!

Don’t Forget to Subscribe and Follow

Be sure to subscribe to our feed and follow us on Twitter for more great web app reviews, how-tos, roundups and giveaways!