Learn how to use CSS and a few graphics to dress up images. Hopefully this article will inspire you and give you new techniques. This is a follow-up to my original article “Unique CSS Borders – Boring Borders Stop Aside” which you can see here.
Double Border
This easy to create double border is so easy. This is a double border with a background color added. By adding 2 pixels of padding to the image you get a nice inner line which adds another dimension of design. You will get a different look depending on the browser used but the borders still look nice and your viewers will not know.
The CSS:
.double { border: 20px double #2B3500; background-color: #D6E67B; padding: 2px; }
Art Deco
This is another very easy border. By using the border class: dash and a background color you get this very nice art deco design. I’ve also added 2 pixels of padding to the image in order to give a little more detail.
The CSS:
.art-deco { border: 7px dashed #73BFBA; padding: 2px; background-color: #000; }
Two Tone
This is a bit reminiscent of the beveled edges of the early days. One suggestion that I have is to keep the border colors close so you don’t end up getting that retro look that makes us cringe.
The CSS:
.two-tone { border-top: #DBEEF2 10px solid; border-right: #B7DDE6 10px solid; border-bottom: #B7DDE6 10px solid; border-left: #DBEEF2 10px solid; padding: 2px; }
Decorative X
By creating a graphic and using it as a background image, you can get a variety of unique looks.
For this example I created a graphic that is 10 x 10 pixel and applied a black background. I created the diagonal lines in gray to create an “X” like this. By adding padding of 10 pixels (same as the graphic size) you get a nice effect. You can experiment with circles, triangles or bow tie shapes.
The CSS:
.x-back{ padding: 10px; background-image: url(/web-design-articles/x.jpg); border: 1px solid #000; }
Nested Divs
This example uses two nested divs (inner and outer) to create a more interesting border. I found the background patterns at DinPattern. You’ll see that the inner and the outer divs both have an image as a repeating background and also a solid border. Be creative with background patterns or textures to make some really different looks.
The HTML:
<div class="outer"> <div class="inner"> <img src="car.jpg" width="382" height="303" alt="" /> </div> <!--end inner div --> </div> <!--end outer div -->
The CSS:
.inner { width: 300px; padding: 10px; background-image: url(/web-design-articles/tread.gif); background-repeat: repeat; border: 1px solid #006; } .outer { padding: 20px; width: 330px; background-image: url(/web-design-articles/haunted.gif); background-repeat: repeat; border: 2px solid #666; }
Have questions or ideas for other borders, post in the CSS Forum!
Nice code for individuals struggling with borders.
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