Come Rain Or Come Shine: Inspiring Wallpapers For September 2018

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Templates, Freebies, Wallpapers
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Cosima has been an editor at SmashingMag since 2013. Whenever she’s not writing articles for the weekly Smashing Newsletter, she’s probably working on a … More about Cosima ↬

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Do you need a little inspiration boost? Well, then our new batch of desktop wallpapers is for you. Designed by artists and designers from across the globe, they come in versions with and without a calendar for September 2018.

September is a time of transition. While some are trying to conserve the summer feeling just a bit longer, others are eager for fall to come with its colorful leaves and rainy days. But no matter how you feel about September or what the new month might be bringing along, this wallpaper collection sure has something to inspire you.

Just like every month since more than nine years already, artists and designers from across the globe once again challenged their creative skills and designed wallpapers to help you break out of your routine and give your desktop a fresh makeover. Each one of them comes in versions with and without a calendar for September 2018 and can be downloaded for free.

As a little extra goodie, we also went through our archives on the look for some timeless September wallpaper treasures which you’ll find assembled at the end of this post. Please note that these oldies, thus, don’t come with a calendar. Happy September!

Please note that:

All images can be clicked on and lead to the preview of the wallpaper,
You can feature your work in our magazine by taking part in our Desktop Wallpaper Calendar series. We are regularly looking for creative designers and artists to be featured on Smashing Magazine. Are you one of them?

Cacti Everywhere

“Seasons come and go, but our brave cactuses still stand. Summer is almost over, and autumn is coming, but the beloved plants don’t care.” - Designed by Lívia Lénárt from Hungary.

preview
with calendar: 320x480, 800x480, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1280x1024, 1400x1050, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440
without calendar: 320x480, 800x480, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1280x1024, 1400x1050, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440

Batmom

preview
with calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440
without calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440

Summer Is Not Over Yet

“This is our way of asking the summer not to go away. We were inspired by travel and exotic islands. In fact, it seems that September was the seventh month in the Roman calendar, dedicated to Vulcan, a god of fire. The legend has it that he was the son of Jupiter and Juno, and being an ugly baby with a limp, his mother tried to push him off a cliff into a volcano. Not really a nice story, but that’s where the tale took us. Anyway, enjoy September — because summer’s not over yet!” - Designed by PopArt Studio from Novi Sad, Serbia.

preview
with calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440
without calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440

Summer Collapsed Into Fall

“The lands are painted gold lit with autumn blaze. And all at once the leaves of the trees started falling, but none of them are worried. Since, everyone falls in love with fall.” - Designed by Mindster from India.

preview
with calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440
without calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440

Fresh Breeze

“I’m already looking forward to the fresh breezes of autumn, summer’s too hot for me!” - Designed by Bryan Van Mechelen from Belgium.

preview
with calendar: 640x480, 960x560, 1024x768, 1920x1080, 2560x1600
without calendar: 640x480, 960x560, 1024x768, 1920x1080, 2560x1600

No More Inflatable Flamingos!

“Summer is officially over and we will no longer need our inflatable flamingos. Now, we’ll need umbrellas. And some flamingos will need an umbrella too!” - Designed by Marina Bošnjak from Croatia.

preview
with calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440
without calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440

New Beginnings

“In September the kids and students go back to school.” - Designed by Melissa Bogemans from Belgium.

preview
with calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440
without calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440

New Destination

“September is the beginning of the course. We see it as a never ending road because we are going to enjoy the journey.” - Designed by Veronica Valenzuela from Spain.

preview
with calendar: 640x480, 800x480, 1024x768, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1440, 2560x1440
without calendar: 640x480, 800x480, 1024x768, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1440, 2560x1440

Good Things Come To Those Who Wait

“They say ‘patience is a virtue’, and so great opportunities and opulence in life come to those who are patient. Here we depicted a snail in the visual, one which longs to seize the shine that comes its way. It goes by the same watchword, shows no impulsiveness and waits for the right chances.” - Designed by Sweans from London.

preview
with calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440
without calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440

Back To School

preview
with calendar: 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440
without calendar: 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440

From The Archives

Some things are too good to be forgotten and our wallpaper archives are full of timeless treasures. So here’s a small selection of favorites from past September editions. Please note that these don’t come with a calendar.

Autumn Rains

“This autumn, we expect to see a lot of rainy days and blues, so we wanted to change the paradigm and wish a warm welcome to the new season. After all, if you come to think of it: rain is not so bad if you have an umbrella and a raincoat. Come autumn, we welcome you!” — Designed by PopArt Studio from Serbia.

preview
without calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440

Maryland Pride

“As summer comes to a close, so does the end of blue crab season in Maryland. Blue crabs have been a regional delicacy since the 1700s and have become Maryland’s most valuable fishing industry, adding millions of dollars to the Maryland economy each year. With more than 455 million blue crabs swimming in the Chesapeake Bay, these tasty critters can be prepared in a variety of ways and have become a summer staple in many homes and restaurants across the state. The blue crab has contributed so much to the state’s regional culture and economy, in 1989 it was named the State Crustacean, cementing its importance in Maryland history.” — Designed by The Hannon Group from Washington DC.

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without calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1280x960, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1440, 2560x1440

Summer Is Leaving

“It is inevitable. Summer is leaving silently. Let us think of ways to make the most of what is left of the beloved season.” — Designed by Bootstrap Dashboards from India.

preview
without calendar: 360x640, 1024x768, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x900, 1680x1200, 1920x1080

Early Autumn

“September is usually considered as early autumn so I decided to draw some trees and leaves. However, nobody likes that summer is coming to an end, that’s why I kept summerish colours and style.” — Designed by Kat Gluszek from Germany.

preview
without calendar: 800x480, 1024x768, 1152x864, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1440x900, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 2560x1440

Long Live Summer

“While September’s Autumnal Equinox technically signifies the end of the summer season, this wallpaper is for all those summer lovers, like me, who don’t want the sunshine, warm weather and lazy days to end.” — Designed by Vicki Grunewald from Washington.

preview
without calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440

Listen Closer… The Mushrooms Are Growing…

“It’s this time of the year when children go to school and grown-ups go to collect mushrooms.” — Designed by Igor Izhik from Canada.

preview
without calendar: 640x480, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440, 2560x1600

Autumn Leaves

“Summer is coming to an end in the northern hemisphere, and that means Autumn is on the way!” — Designed by James Mitchell from the United Kingdom.

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without calendar: 1280x720, 1280x800, 1366x768, 1440x900, 1680x1050, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 2560x1440, 2880x1800

Festivities And Ganesh Puja

“The month of September starts with the arrival of festivals, mainly Ganesh Puja.” — Designed by Sayali Sandeep Harde from India.

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without calendar: 320x480, 800x480, 800x600, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x1024, 1440x900, 1600x1050, 1600x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440

Hungry

preview
without calendar: 640x480, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1440x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440, 1366x768

Sugar Cube

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without calendar: 800x600, 1024x768, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1440x900, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 2560x1440

Miss, My Dragon Burnt My Homework!

“We all know the saying ‘Miss, my dog ate my homework!’ Well, not everyone has a dog, so here’s a wallpaper to inspire your next excuse at school ;)” — Designed by Ricardo Gimenes from Sweden.

preview
without calendar: 320×480, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440, 640×960, 1366×768, 1600×1050, 2880×1800

Meet The Bulbs!

“This summer we have seen lighting come to the forefront of design once again, with the light bulb front and center, no longer being hidden by lampshades or covers. Many different bulbs have been featured by interior designers including vintage bulbs, and oddly shaped energy-saving bulbs. We captured the personality of a variety of different bulbs in this wallpaper featuring the Bulb family.” — Designed by Carla Genovesio from the USA.

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without calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

World Bat Night

“In the night from September 20th to 21st, the world has one of the most unusual environmental events — Night of the bats. Its main purpose: to draw public attention to the problems of bats and their protection, as well as to debunk the myths surrounding the animals, as many people experience unjustified superstitious fear, considering them vampires.” — Designed by cheloveche.ru from Russia.

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without calendar: 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200

Autumn Invaders

“Invaders of autumn are already here. Make sure you are well prepared!” Designed by German Ljutaev from Ukraine.

Smashing Desktop Wallpaper - September 2012

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without calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1152×864, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

Hello Spring

“September is the start of spring in Australia so this bright wallpaper could brighten your day and help you feel energized!” — Designed by Tazi Design from Australia.

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without calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x960, 1600x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1440, 2560x1440

Join In Next Month!

Please note that we respect and carefully consider the ideas and motivation behind each and every artist’s work. This is why we give all artists the full freedom to explore their creativity and express emotions and experience throughout their works. This is also why the themes of the wallpapers weren’t anyhow influenced by us, but rather designed from scratch by the artists themselves.

Thank you to all designers for their participation. Join in next month!