Microsoft provides a basic set of controls in their .NET framework, but for extended functionality and appearance I prefer to use third party controls for my applications. The two I've incorporated are:
- DevComponents DotNetBar Win form control suite - A fairly wide ranging set that includes two of my favorites. The Ribbon control is the easiest ribbon control I found to configure and edit. The other control in this suite I like is the SuperGrid control. It offers an exceptionally easy way to create a mater detail grid.
- SpreadSheetGear - This control provides an on-screen representation of an Excel workbook while not really using the Excel API. This allows placing applications build with SpreadSheetGear to run on a server that does not have Microsoft Excel installed.