Quote Originally Posted by tim460 View Post
For whatever it's worth, that's the scheme I am using most. Using some text (links) to separate the main blog area from banners also looks good.
I published that a bit too hasty. I was speaking about a double sidebar on the right. However, when the sidebars are on the left and right of the main column, I've found the following to work nicely despite I vary it. I almost always start with some page/site navigation at the top of the left sidebar. Depending on the look I'm going for or how the header matches up with it, the top of the right sidebar often has some page/site/or text info, too, or it can have a banner. Then I follow generally with more page/navigation info on the left sidebar, and banners on the right sidebar. Sometimes I mix it up on both sides.

I've found designs with a minimal, modern, sleek look (especially if the header is only text and no images) show off much better if there aren't banners starting smack at the very top of the sidebars. Just a small block of text, page/site navigation at the top of the sidebars is enough to keep that look. Then you can start the banners, which for all practical purposes are still in a visible hot spot at the "top," even if not the absolute first thing in the sidebar.