If a forum were to look like these, what would you do?

I've been looking for design inspirations and somehow, I want my forum design to be as minimalistic as possible, with a ton of breathing space.

I am linking to 2 websites here, none of them are forums. But I just want my forum to look like a cross between both these 2 sites.

DISCLAIMER: I'm not promoting these sites (not intentionally ).

Site 1

Site 2

So if you guys were to make a XF or IPB forum which would look like these, what would you do (in terms of background, header, etc.)?

 

I like both the designs on those two sites, I dig the call to action on site #2

I wouldn't use either as examples of what to do on forums though.

 

Of course, I wouldn't either, not directly. I was looking more at the color scheme. I really like the two-tone thing (white + another color).

I think I have my primary color finalized (other than white).

I just needed suggestions on how to go about the header, the background, etc.

 

I really like both website designs, they look amazing. So simple, it's great.
I'm not a person who take a look at the website design, similar to Boyuancy, I look at the color schemes.
I've always designed websites on Photoshop, I might try out to code one some day.

xHysteria.

 

I've come across forums that have this type of look and I've never liked them. They don't seem to have a lot of activity either. They look okay, but they fail in functionality as a discussion forum.

Forum users are used to a certain richness in features and tools. Those features are important if you want to build a community. It might work for a forum connected to a small niche. You would have to find a way to maintain as much functionality as possible while trying to hide the interface elements so as to maintain the minimalist paradigm. That's a tough task.