Backgrounds and Layouts for MySpace

For some us, the internet is still a fairly new concept. We may not have grown up with it but we are slowly working our way into social scenes such as the ever-popular MySpace. It was only a few days before I realized that all my MySpace pals had fun and interesting layouts and mine was still that bare white. Since I was clueless about coding or even figuring out how to input a picture, I went searching for ready-made layouts. Here are your best bets for easy to use and browse, pre-made background and layouts websites for MySpace.

The Artistic Look: MySpaceorYours.net

Theme Overview: This is my favorite site for fun and interesting backgrounds for MySpace. The layouts and backgrounds are unusual and polished. The focus seems to be on an "artsy" look. The themes available include abstract art, holidays, seasonal, animals, designs and doodles, flowers and nature, urban, travel and many more categories. One nice thing about this is that there are not too many layouts per category. This could be a drawback for some, but for those who dislike wading through thousands of options, this is a simple and organized site.

My Favorite Layout: Although there are many layouts I love on MySpaceorYours.net, one of my favorites is under the Art and Artist tab, entitled, "Dandelion Autumn." The blue-green of the layout is very soothing to the eyes.

Best Functions: Top tabs and left side navigation menus expand and allow for more specific browsing. Layouts are filed by topic and by highest rated. You can also preview the layout in an actual MySpace model before trying it on your own page. The coding for the layout or background is a simple click, copy and paste, and you are finished.

Worst Functions: If you are looking for just backgrounds, this site is not for you. The layouts are pre-made and ready to insert into your MySpace page. There are contact tables, picture comments, icons, et cetera if you want to build your own page. But nothing with just background pictures.

Other great features: MySpace Code Tweaks is a great addition to the site. The coding is written and ready to use for everything from hiding your contact box to sparkling hover on links.

The Soft Feminine Look: Mygirlyspace.com

Theme Overview: This was one of the first sites I ever visited for background for MySpace. The quantity of layouts is incredible. And if you are looking for a very feminine or "girly" look, this is definitely the place to go.

My Favorite Layout: One of my favorite layouts is a pink and black swirled theme. It is found under the Swirl menu and is entitled, "Long Quote."

Best Functions: There are many themes available and are very specific by design. Themes include polka dots, swirls, American Idol, sexy men, stars, TV/Movies, and many more. There are thousands of layouts to choose from and backgrounds as well. There is a preview function for the layouts but be sure your pop-up blocker is turned off.

Worst Functions: If quantity is what you are after, this is the site. However, this site is packed with advertisements and is extremely busy. Loading the page, even with high speed internet, took a little time. The colors try to help distinguish navigation, but are very bright and blinding. There are so many layouts that even using their very specific menu, you may click through nearly 55 pages per layout theme with only 9 showing per page. There is also a McAfee warning on the site due to previous reports of spamming. I do not have trouble with the site, but I also do not give out my email address.

Other great features: If you want basic backgrounds for MySpace, this is a great place to find them. Themes range from animals to colors and fantasy and much more.

Caution: Because of the great quantity of advertising on this site, occasionally some inappropriate material pops up. I would take care in using this site with children in the room.

The Edgy Look: LayoutChef.com

Theme Overview: Looking for something less girly and more edgy? This is the place to come. LayoutChef.com takes MySpace backgrounds a step further into "cool." Themes include everything from abstract art (complete with 3-D) to Nascar and sports.

My Favorite Layout: I am a big James Bond fan and there is a whole section of Casino Royale layouts.

Best Functions: This is a very easy to navigate site. There is a left side menu plus an easy-to-use preview function. Do make sure pop-up blocker is off for the preview function. The themes are easy to access and are very polished looking. This is a very easy site to use and find coding, especially if you are new to MySpace backgrounds.

Worst Functions: Once I turned off pop-up blockers to preview the themes, I did wind up with several pop-up ads. Also, if you are looking for just backgrounds, this is not a good place to find them.

Other great features: If you like games, there is a section on flash games you can use with your MySpace page.

The Translucent Look: Pyzam.com

Theme Overview: Pyzam.com has a fun twist on backgrounds for MySpace- many of the themes the use of transparent tables. This brings the background into sharper focus. For those who love to showcase the background of their MySpace page, this is a great site to start with. The layouts and backgrounds cover a multitude of themes and the themes are conveniently alphabetized on the left side menu.

My Favorite Layout: One of the abstract layouts, entitled, "Turn the Key" is a soft beige and teal colored page with an antique key as a strategic element.

Best Functions: You can save any part of the layout with a simple click of the mouse. You can save just the background, just the contact table, or even send an email using the layout. You can save images by right-clicking the mouse or by copying the coding. It is one of the simplest sites to use once you have located the theme you like.

Worst Functions: While it is nice to have alphabetized themes, you may find some odd choices such as alcohol themes or scenery themes. I had to click on several themes just to see what they meant. You can go to the main theme index by clicking here.

Other great features: You can choose how many layouts you view at a time: 6 or up to 14 layouts at a time. This is an exceptional site for finding good quality backgrounds for MySpace.