Just like Windows, you can install and use custom theme in Ubuntu 14.04 PCs. You can either select from the pre-installed Ubuntu 14.04 themes or download and install custom themes for Ubuntu 14.04.
Use Pre-Installed Ubuntu Themes
1. Go to System Settings.
2. Select Appearance option.
3. Here you can select the background image or Theme.
4. There are three pre-installed themes for Ubuntu 14.04 system – Ambiance, Highcontrast and Radiance.
5. Select the one you wish to use.
You can also select the theme using Unity Tweak Tool. To use Unity Tweak Tool, first you have to download and install Unity Tweak Tool.
To download Unity Tweak Tool, open the Terminal and run the following command:
sudo apt-get install unity-tweak-tool gnome-tweak-tool
1. Once installed, open Unity Tweak Tool – open Dash, type Unity and select the Unity launcher icon.
2. In the Unity Tweak Tool window, select Theme (under Appearance tab)
3. Now you shall see the list of available.
4. Select the one you wish to use.
Download and Install Custom Themes in Ubuntu 14.04 PC
You can download and install custom themes in Ubuntu 14.04 PC. There are two ways to install and use themes in Ubuntu – install themes via a PPA or download the custom theme file. When you install themes via a PPA using Terminal, all you have to do is execute the command and rest is done by the system itself. But, if you download the custom theme file, you will have to extract theme file to ~/.themes or /user/share/themes directory.
How to Install Custom Theme
Numix is one of the popular Linux Ubuntu 14.04 custom theme which can be installed both ways – using PPA (Terminal) or downloading the theme file.
Install Numix Custom Theme in Ubuntu 14.04 Using PPA (Terminal)
Type the following command in the Terminal to install Numix theme in Ubuntu 14.04.
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:numix/ppa
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install numix-gtk-theme
Install Trevilla Custom Theme in Ubuntu 14.04 Using PPA (Terminal)
Type the following command in the Terminal to install Trevilla theme in Ubuntu 14.04.
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:noobslab/themes
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:noobslab/icons
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install trevilla-themes
sudo apt-get install trevilla-icons
Install GnomishBeige theme in Ubuntu 14.04 Using PPA (Terminal)
Type the following command in the Terminal to install GnomishBeige theme in Ubuntu 14.04.
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:noobslab/themes
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install gnomishbeige-theme
Please note that you must have installed Unity Tweak Tool for a smooth performance. It’s not mandatory but advisable.
Once you have downloaded and installed the themes, you can activate any of these theme as explained above (Use Pre-Installed Ubuntu Themes):
- Open Unity Tweak Tool- open Dash, type Unity and select the Unity launcher icon.
- In the Unity Tweak Tool window, select Theme (under Appearance tab)
- Now you shall see the list of available.
- Select the one you wish to use.
Download and Install Custom Ubuntu 14.04 Theme (Without Terminal)
You can also download and install custom Ubuntu 14.04 themes without using Terminal (using PPA). You can directly download the theme files and extract it to the theme folder and use it.
For example, you can download Numix Blue GTK Theme or Iris Flat GTK Theme for Ubuntu 14.04 PC.
Numix Blue GTK Ubuntu 14.04 Theme
Iris GTK Ubuntu 14.04 Theme
Once downloaded extract theme file to ~/.themes or /user/share/themes directory. After extracting the theme files, you can activate any of these theme as explained above (Use Pre-Installed Ubuntu Themes):
