Gmail 2.0 saw some nice design updates but the overall look of Gmail has been the same. But, thanks to a Firefox extension called Stylish, it is possible for a Firefox user to completely overhaul the look of Gmail.
Stylish is a Firefox extension that can load user created scripts that can change the look and feel of any website. Just like Greasemonkey changing the user-interface options via user-created Javascript, Stylish lets you change the look and feel via CSS. There is a huge number of popular Stylish scripts out there. (look at the Related posts section in the bottom for my collection of Greasemonkey scripts for Gmail 2.0, Google Reader, etc.)
Here is how you can pimp your Gmail in 2 easy steps:
Step 1 – Install Stylish Extension:
Grab the Stylish Firefox extension from the newly updated Firefox add-ons website and install it. Restart your browser.
Step 2 – Install Re-designed Gmail Stylish Script
Scroll down in this page until you see a title named ‘Install Options’. Install the script and login to Gmail. Voila!
That’s it. Enjoy the new look.
Why would I want this?
- If you are looking at your monitor all day long, darker themes are supposedly easy on your eyes
- The new look just rocks. Look at the screenshots.
- You can always turn this off with a click and go back to your old ways or even switch back and forth
The script is being constantly updated so check back every few days to load the new version as the bugs are getting squashed. The comments in that page indicate the ‘Remember the Milk’ extension as incompatible but I am using it with no problems. There are many Stylish/Greasemonkey scripts for Gmail but this has to be the best one so far.
Boy, it looks gorgeous. Now, here are some screenshots of my inbox 
I have just recently adopted the Inbox Zero methodology coupled with GTDInbox Firefox extension. It really is a lot less stressful to look my Inbox now. 
If you are looking to supercharge your Gmail experience, try the Better Gmail 2 Firefox extension put together by Lifehacker. It sports some of the best Greasemonkey scripts and Stylish scripts rolled into a Firefox extension. It includes this awesome Re-designed Gmail script as well.
Have a great weekend!
Popularity: 11% [?]
5. April 2008 at 12:56 am
This is pretty cool! I’ve always wondered why Google won’t do something that would allows users to customize their Gmail. I’m trying this one.
Stumbled!
Mark’s last blog post..Recently posted
5. April 2008 at 1:58 pm
This will make me switch to FF
Madhur Kapoor’s last blog post..Replace your Windows Task Manager with Task Manager Free
6. April 2008 at 1:47 am
Great tutorial. It is about time that there is a solution for the plain old gmail interface. You know what else is amusing, that they are still in beta How long are they going to be in beta?
15. April 2008 at 6:14 pm
This is great! Does it work with the Remember the Milk extension?
Registry Hacks’s last blog post..Updates Your RSS Feed Address For Samanathon.com & New Link Love For Commentators
16. April 2008 at 4:06 pm
Yes, it works great with RTM extension. In fact, it looks fabulous!
17. April 2008 at 12:20 pm
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Bandwidth Limit Exceeded
The server is temporarily unable to service your request due to the site owner reaching his/her bandwidth limit. Please try again later.
Apache/2.2.4 (Unix) mod_ssl/2.2.4 OpenSSL/0.9.7a DAV/2 FrontPage/5.0.2.2635 mod_bwlimited/1.4 PHP/5.2.3 mod_auth_passthrough/1.8 SVN/1.4.4 mod_python/3.3.1 Python/2.4.3 Server at userstyles.org Port 80
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Any idea where else to get the “http://userstyles.org/styles/5867″ script?
Shane’s last blog post..Shell-Fu: Command Line Goodies
18. April 2008 at 11:01 am
Shane.. I tried going here http://userstyles.org/users/6943 and then clicking on the Gmail redesigned link and I was able to get in. Might work for you..
19. April 2008 at 6:02 pm
Ok, I did step 1. Went to step 2 and no dice. There IS NO “install options” on this page. Thought maybe I just couldn’t see it but tried “find on page” and by golly, I wasn’t mistaken – THERE IS NONE! So now I have downloaded and installed the Stylish extension but haven’t a freaking clue where to find this script we are supposed to install.
23. April 2008 at 3:04 pm
Neat style! Just wish some of the text wasn’t broken.
24. April 2008 at 7:06 am
This does not work in FF3 Beta 5! Stylish needs to update to the new beta before it works I think.
24. April 2008 at 9:07 am
Joe.. that’s true. But, there is a way to make unsupported extensions to work in FF 3 by disabling the extension compatibility check. I have posted before on how to do it.. let me know if you can’t find it here. Cheers!
24. April 2008 at 1:25 pm
That is so damn awesome — yet another reason for the world to switch to firefox
28. April 2008 at 4:58 pm
The examples are looking awesome! lets try it!
Thank you for the great tips!
1. May 2008 at 2:32 pm
The login page looks so tempting. Will definitely give it a try
3. May 2008 at 8:53 am
Once you try it.. you won’t look back. I can’t stand to look at the regular gmail interface anymore. I’m spoiled!
8. May 2008 at 9:40 am
Hopefully, GMail will one day support the delivery notification…
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9. May 2008 at 11:52 am
Olivier, that will be a killer addition!
7. June 2008 at 5:07 am
These look like cool additions for GMail users like myself, I’ve also read that Google might be releasing their own themes/skins for their GMail interface.
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20. June 2008 at 4:21 am
Gmail just looks sooooo cool in this theme. Great stuff. Another script you might like is one that gets rid of the Yahoo SERPs redirects so you can see the link direct.
http://www.ghacks.net/2008/05/09/yahoo-redirect-remover/
db
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24. August 2008 at 5:32 am
Wow looks sweet! I’m downloading this and will tell my techie friends. Love the cooler and meaner colors…
26. August 2008 at 7:22 pm
I never thought of it could be possible as its google and they still believe in blue hyperlinks. Since Gmail is now the primary Email server for me, and i use to sit at least 12-14 hours daily on desktop, and during this time Gmail is the must.
thats a great resource and your skins are looking elegant, will definitely share it with friends and thanks for making eyes feel better
28. August 2008 at 11:53 am
az, me too! But, now when I see the blue and white without this skin, it feels so 1999. Enjoy it!
Have you looked at my recent post on Gmail HTML Signatures? You might find that useful too.
29. August 2008 at 5:58 am
Wow, didn’t know you could customize gmail…good to know in case i ever get bored with the standard look.
29. August 2008 at 9:03 am
Dave, it’s all about pushing the envelope.
The stock looks get old fast when you are in a webapp all day. Plus, Greasemonkey and Stylish not just change the looks but actually improve the web applications.
29. August 2008 at 2:14 pm
Wow, that’s a really good looking gmail. I’m considering doing this. I spend several hours a day on my new computer and the white screen is damn near blinding.
6. September 2008 at 4:47 pm
oh this is so beautiful i am gona try this rite now. thanks a lot (i never knew boring looking gmail can be turned into such colorful looks)
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12. October 2008 at 7:54 am
wow. that looks really good. :O
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10. November 2008 at 2:53 pm
Excellent, thank you.
I love FF, how did we ever get by…
24. November 2008 at 3:04 am
It’s pretty damn cool, I’ll try it too. Thanks
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28. December 2008 at 9:31 am
funny how i tried this for a few days, and decided to go back to the default scheme because to me it just looks better!
17. January 2009 at 9:44 pm
Just another reason to use Firefox!
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28. January 2009 at 2:50 am
wow, it’s so nice.
different with default gmail.
let me to try it.
thanks
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10. January 2010 at 10:56 am
What great information, I love gmail, and would not use anything else. But as you indicate, it is awful boring to look at on the screen, and I have not been at all impressed with the styles offered by Google. I will have to check this out, and get it up an running on my computer today. Thanks so much for this information. I found it very helpful.
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