Does the gradient background feel overdone? How about changing things up with a pattern based on vintage wallpaper? Check out this background pattern designer.
You can change the image, its scale, rotation, and more. There are millions of combinations, without even taking into account color choices. You can preview your pattern and even download the image directly.
One of these might be a simple way to fancy up your design. You're unlikely to use text over the pattern, but that was totally 90s anyway. Instead, you can do like the site itself does and layer the content over the top (bonus points for rounded corners).
Others have been successful with including a background in the header, like illustrator Kara Burke (pictured here), designer Christopher Schmitt, and even Drupal theme Deco (way to go, Open Source!)
If you're really into these patterns, don't miss the community features by clicking "hide designer" in the lower right. You can see the most popular patterns and get plenty more inspiration for other users.
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