How would you create this layout using DIVs?

Each block of colour is a DIV.



I would do three columns, one holding the three red divs on the left, one the purple and blues and one the three red divs on the right.

Is that the best way?

Thanks.

Yes, the way that that layout is set up, it would be the best idea to put the main divs vertical.

I wouldn't do it that way at all, too many divs and more complicated than it likely needs to be. Stop thinking like tables. If the left and right red areas are meant to be for a drop shadow, then make ONE background image, tiled vertically, that extends the width of the desired page with that includes the shadows.

That looks more like a 2-column layout to me, with a header and footer. Float one or both of the 2 columns, set the header at the top, footer at the bottom, and wrap them all in a 'wrapper' div.