In this chapter, you learned how using and applying Magento layout allows you to alter how Magento behaves and appears to your customers. In particular, you created a local.xml file to hold your theme's custom layout instructions, changed the default page template, and used Magento's CMS to change a page's layout. You also assigned a static block to a page using Magento layout and altered blocks from Magento's sidebar templates. Finally, you added a new products block to your store's home page template.

Further chapters will provide more ideas for the customization of your Magento theme, from customizing store e-mails to improving your store for mobile users.