As I learn more about designing for the Web, I have discovered several current design trends. It's always good to be up on the trends in your industry, especially because it may take a while for them to filter down to real-world clients (read: those with smaller budgets). Here are the top five Web design trends I have noticed:

1. Retro: Bold 70s stripes with more modern color combinations (think brighter oranges and greens, rather than the burnt orange and avocado of that era). Other eras come into play, but the 70s seem to be the go to period at the moment.
   
2. Grunge: Torn paper backgrounds, splotchy ink stains, and distressed fonts.
3. Botanical: Green color schemes, with silhouettes of plants. Especially popular for environmental sites.
   
4. The Stage: A hardwood floor background with a "curtain" header. The header usually doesn't look like an actual curtain, it simply implies the idea of a curtain. These are everywhere right now.
   
5. Minimalist: This is the Web 2.0 look. The background is usually white, and the logo has a subtle reflection under it.