I've toned mine down a lot since I've started, but I suppose that it's still a bit more on the decorative side. However, I find myself drawn more to blogs with minimalistic design, as it can be less overwhelming to look at and easier to navigate.
I prefer blogs with minimalist designs, specifically those with dark text on light background. These are very user-friendly for people with poor eyesight like me. :)
You can easily spot newbie bloggers with his/her blog's design. The more clutter there is in a blog, the more likely it is that the owner is new to blogging. As you age in blogging, you realize that the clutter and starts removing them until the only ones left are those that are helpful to your blog and readers.
I've redesigned my blog to make it as minimalist as I can.
http://neilyamit.com/
Minimalistic, definitely. If a blog is too busy, it distracts from the posts. www.purplebananasandfudgeballs.blogspot.com
minimalistic is the way to go. its easy on the eyes and is more simple to your visitors for navigation
I hate to read things that sparkles and flashes in neon colors * shudder *
Good content is far more important than design, especially if a blogger thinks that "good" design means lots of fancy gizmos and gadgets. I'm looking for something to read when I visit a blog, and photos, video and audio should be discreet, optional and related to the text.
I prefer minimalist, but I can appreciate quality design, as well.
I wouldn't mind having mine spruced up by someone who knows what they're doing.
kellisheajohnson.blogspot.com
minimalist is much easier on the eyes for me. you can focus on what is written rather than being distracted by the .
I prefer something in the middle. too minimalistic is boring, and those overcrowded are hard to read
