Simple Or Complex Styling

[legionofangels]

As far as design goes for a forum board, do you feel that simple is better or complex is better?

Do you think a richly designed board which is obviously more unique is better than a basic styled board that looks similar to so many other boards out there?

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I thought of making this a poll but don't feel the need. Obviously sites like vbulletin.com and vbulletin.org use very simple designs or layouts of colors and such. They both support a popular product though, and am talking in regards to other boards out there that don't.

So many boards out there have custom styling done to them, but many are popular with or without going into that much styling and design work.

So since both have been successful, which method do you prefer:

Simple styling - most likely white backgrounds with a few colors for categories and black text.

Complex styling - full color skins, unique buttons, custom nav bars, etc.