Some of the best free Wordpress themes will take the design of your blog or website to a whole new level  … if you can find them. How to locate a great  Wordpress theme is like panning for gold. Every now and then, your patience is rewarded and you find a free theme that just shines head and shoulders above the rest; a rare nugget that feels like it could almost be a premium theme if the author wanted it to be.

This crop of Wordpress themes moves the “free line” closer to Premium than ever before. Regular readers will know that late last year I featured “413 Best Free Wordpress Themes” which although cool, felt like overload. I mean, sifting through 413 Wordpress themes is no small task. So with this round up, I’ve saved you some time and handpicked what I feel are some of the best free Wordpress themes currently available.

So lets get this show on the road! Let me start with a free theme that I liked immediately.

Irresistible

Preview Theme | Download

Irresistable pushes all the right buttons.  It’s a moody Wordpress theme with texture, depth and class.

Viewport

Preview Theme | Download

Viewport is hands down one of my top Wordpress themes on this list.  Yes, it’s not the most versatile theme. However it’s one of the most unique and well executed minimalist free Wordpress themes I’ve seen in a long time (if not ever).

Definitely check out the preview on this one and tag it for later consumption.

Studio Rachna

Preview Theme | Download

Studio Rachna won a place in this best free Wordpress theme roundup for bold originality.  I loved everything from the colors to the happy fantasy imagery used in header and footer.

Okinawa

Preview Theme | Download

Okinaway Sky is a clean Wordpress theme with dark blue color palette with modern typography that will get the job done.

Composito

Preview Theme | Download

The first thing I loved about this Wordpress theme is the pastel color palette.  The background, typography and grid all work well and won it a spot on the list based on those strengths.

Typebased

Preview Theme | Download

Another modern Wordpress theme from the prolific template creators over at WooThemes.  Everything about this theme is clean and modern.

Openair

Preview Theme | Download

Openair is a Wordpress theme that is sure to fit many occasions. Light, breezy, clean.

Imprezz

Preview Theme | Download

Imprezz is might be one of the older themes featured on the list however this is one Wordpress theme that deserves a second look for all the right reasons.

Magaling

Preview Theme | Download

I thought Magaling would make a great Wordpress theme for a Gamer site.  It’s got a heavier presence and clean lines that work well together.

Maasahan

Preview Theme | Download

Maashan I must admit barely made the cut.  I don’t find it an appealing theme but when I took a second look it’s inclusion on the list was secured for being different yet still clean.

Elegant Grunge

Preview Theme | Download

Elegant Grunge won me over pretty much right away. Just look at it! Is this a theme that lives up to it’s name or what?  I dig it.

FREEmium

Preview Theme | Download

Top Wordpress theme FREEmium has been getting a lot of exposure recently and for good reason. This is one solid theme in every regard and yet another theme that lives up to it’s name in spades.

Robust enough to handle virtually any occasion, FREEmium is another must tag for your list of assets … make sure you take this one for a test drive.

Magazeen

Preview Theme | Download

Magazeen probably needs little introduction.  This clean Wordpress theme is a strong contender and almost (sooo close) got my pick for an Editors Choice.

Deskspace

Preview Theme | Download

Creative and artistic.  The low contrast typography isn’t really doing it for me but aside from that, this theme is tight and would be a great fit for the right project.

Alivapress

Preview Theme | Download

Another potential Wordpress theme for a game site.  Alivapress looks to have the makings of a top game site theme right out of the box.

CorporateMag

Preview Theme | Download

Nothing to write home about but a worthy and solid corporate Wordpress theme without a doubt.

Blues

Preview Theme | Download

I didn’t get Blues when I first saw it … and I’m not sure I do now.  The design choices mess with my head and for that reason, I like it.

Malawak

Preview Theme | Download

Malawak!

Shades of Blue

Preview Theme | Download

Simple without trying to be.  Shades of Blue got on our list for being unpretentious and clean.

Snapshot

Preview Theme | Download

Photo voting has come up a lot in my life lately.  I gravited to Snapshot pretty much straight away when I saw it.  Not sure if some custom plugins would be needed to power the voting or what.  Worth a look if you need a votable gallery of some kind.

Vintage

Preview Theme | Download

How could I go past Vintage?  I couldn’t of course, so here she be!

NewsTheme

Preview Theme | Download

Newstheme reminds me of The Office.  If Dunder Mifflen (sp) had a Wordpress powered site, they’d be running Newstheme.

Green Design Studio

Preview Theme | Download

Green Design Studio just squeaked onto the list.  Maybe it’s the chick in the hat that got me.

Androida

Preview Theme | Download

Thinking of starting a tech blog? This is one clean Wordpress theme that will serve your geeks for years to come.

Conservative American

Preview Theme | Download

Last but not least, Conservative American.  A huge header for branding purposed and dark color palette featued on one of the better political themes I’ve yet to see.

That’s about wraps it up for this batch of what I feel are the best free Wordpress themes currently available.  Have I missed one of your favorite free Wordpress themes?  Think you know of on that should be on this list? Let’s hear it in the comments!

Photo by aheram.

"Dude are you freakin' deaf? I said Wordpress ... not shoulder press!"

This makes 2008 another epic year for Wordpress users who have more free themes, plug-ins, hacks and fellow users to draw upon than ever before.  Why are these 413 themes the best? Simple … because they were hand picked by some of the top web design and development blogs on the planet then tagged, bookmarked and shared by tens of thousands of people across the major social networks.

16 Free Premium Wordpress Themes That Don’t Suck
- at HongKiat

Sixteen free premium themes Wordpress rounded up by Hongkiat.

100 Excellent Free WordPress Themes
- at Smashing Magazine

An impressive list of 100 themes compiled by the guys at Smashing Magazine.

45+ Must See WordPress themes
– at Noupe

Noupe comes to the party with 45 themes they dig (single “g”).

Top 50 free Wordpress themes
- Crazy Leaf Design

Crazy leaf hits us with 50 themes to choose from.

83 Beautiful Wordpress Themes You (Probably) Haven’t Seen
- at SmashingMagazine

Smashing Magazine is at it again. 83 themes in one sweet stash.

45+ Free Premium WordPress Themes with Magazine or Grid Layouts
- at WP Zoom

Interesting selection of 45 odd themes at WP Zoom.

30 Free High Quality Wordpress Themes
- at Smashing Magazine

Do the guys at Smashing Magazine love Wordpress or what?

21 Mindblowing Premium-Like Free Wordpress Themes
- Smashing Apps

Smashing Apps rounds up 21 themes for review.

20 More Free First-Class Wordpress Themes
- Smashing Magazine

Only 20 this time from Smashing Magazine. They must of been tired that day.

Angel

For those you you fond of neutrals, Angel is offers you a low contrast look that can be used for many different purposes.

Angel - Free Wordpress Theme

Demo Angel | Download Angel

DailyPress

DailyPress will impress you with it’s well organized layout and visual hierarchy. The sizing and weight of the elements all work well together and give this theme a well balanced aesthetic.

DailyPress - Free Wordpress Theme

Demo DailyPress | Download DailyPress

Statement

Statement is true to it’s name.   This theme looks like a  serious  — and simpler — incarnation of DailyPress.  It has an easy yet somewhat utilitarian look about it.  A good fit for sites wanting to lean their aesthetic on the serious side.

Statement - Free Wordpress Theme

Demo Statement | Download Statement

All of these themes are designed and developed by Jai over at BlogOhBlog who’s obviously worked hard to release these and many more to the Wordpress community.  If you glance back at this blog, you can really see his workmanship maturing over time.  This is one theme author to keep an eye one. If you like the look of his stuff here on EliteFreelancing.com, swing by his site and and say hello!

Portfolio Wordpress Theme by Sorel Mihai

Portfolio Wordpress Theme by Sorel Mihai

Download it | View Demo

Designed by Sorel Mihai, this theme is everything you need to start showing off your work.  It’s got a slick color palette and clean lines that will have you looking like a modern service provider in no time. Great work Sorel.

WP Premium by R.Bhavesh

WP Premium by R.Bhavesh

Download it | View Demo

Loaded to the gills with all kinds of features, this widget ready theme is one solid contender.  WP Premium is a great choice for anyone needing a clean aesthetic with a hint of formality.  As a bonus, R. Bhavesh has bundled this theme with three color options: brown, black and soft red.

Sharpfoilo by Ed Harrison

Sharpfolio by Web Revolutionary

Download it | View Demo

Sharpfolio by Ed Harrison over at Web Revolutionary made it on our list for being a simple and elegant solution to those needing a theme that will primarily act as a portfolio.  Minimalist styling and neutral colors means you can keep the emphasis off the theme and where it should be: on your work.  Nice one Ed.

Zinepress by Andrew Lindstrom

Zinepress by Andrew Lindstrom

Download it | View Demo

A combination of retro browns with pinky reds for highlights is what you get with Zinepress.  Andrew has paid attention to many smaller details in order to deliver this clean theme.

Gossip City by Design Disease

Gossip City by Design Disease

Download it | View Demo

A light color palette and mood on this free Wordpress theme which sports a couple of plugins to make the magic happen. A good fit if you are trying to keep things light hearted and feminine.

Mandigo by OneHertz

Mandigo by One Hertz

Download it | View Demo

If not the prettiest theme around, it certainly comes packed with a ton of customization options.  The features and the fact that it comes ready in 30 plus languages won Mandigo a spot on our list.

WP CODA by Greg Johnson

WP CODA by Greg Johnson

Download it | View Demo

Based on the popular Coda website, this theme lets you get a Wordpress powered site that feels anything but standard. Be sure to try out the left and right arrows to slide through the body content. An original theme based on an original design.

Aspire by Info Creek

Aspire by Info Creek

Download it | View Demo

The Aspire theme by Info Creek feels like you walked into the sheriff’s office at sunset.  A three column layout with aged and antique styling, this one would be a good contender for those requiring some rustic charm.

Box Tube by Dezzain

Box Tube by Dezzain

Download it | View Demo

Glossy and sleek is what Box Tube gets you. This modern theme is widget ready both in the sidebar and footer. A handful of plugins to make it all work as shown but shouldn’t be a problem for anyone with more than a few minutes experience with Wordpress.

Yoghourt by Web Kreation

Yoghourt by Web Kreation

Download it | View Demo

Mmm Yogourt!? This high contrast theme has everything you’d expect in a basic yet well designed Wordpress theme.

Liquorice Allsorts by Monomo

Liquorice Allsorts by Monomo

Download it | View Demo

Visually, it’s like nothing else.  Technically, the makers of Liquorice Allsorts have gone to lengths in order to keep the CSS class and ID names exactly the same as found in the default Wordpress theme, Kubrick. Arty and bold; Liquorice Allsorts is a great little theme for the right property.

Mini-WP by Frozr

Mini-wp by Frozr

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Ultra simple. This theme is minimalist both in styling, color, and features.  Enough to get the job done with a a minimum of fuss.

Retromania by Jay Hafling

Retromania by Jay Hafling

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Jay has created a retro theme complete with an empty PSD file of the header so you can custmize it to suit your tastes.

Outdoorsy by Function Web Design

Outdoorsy by Function Web Design

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It’s no surprise this theme has done the rounds since it’s release.  A pixel perfect theme exhibiting tactile goodness on every level. Note: An update has been provided in order to get the file size down of this image heavy theme. Worth checking out if an organic look and feel is what you need.

Simply Ornate by Evan Eckard

Simply Ornate by Evan Eckard

Download it | View Demo

Simply Ornate is a sweet little theme by Evan Eckard that comes in your choice of a blue, pink, grey, green and red.  Comes with a single Flickr plugin.

Branford Magazine Theme by Der Prinz

Branford Magazine by Der Prinz

Download it | View Demo

And lastly, the Branford Magazine by theme Der Prinz made the list for it’s conservative aesthetic.  With an active change log, the theme seems to be well loved and updated and would fit well for those of you targeting an older audience.