The Magic Of New Beginnings (January 2024 Wallpapers Edition)

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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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Let’s start into the new year with a little inspiration boost: wallpapers created with love by the community for the community. Happy 2024!

Maybe 2024 has already started as you’re reading this, maybe you’re still waiting for the big countdown to begin. Either way, it’s never too late or too early for some New Year’s inspiration!

More than twelve years ago, we started our monthly wallpapers series to bring you a new collection of beautiful, unique, and inspiring desktop wallpapers every month. And, of course, this month is no exception.

In this post, you’ll find January wallpapers to accompany you through your first adventures of the new year, to make you smile, and to cater for some happy pops of color on a cold and dark winter day. The wallpapers are created with love by artists and designers from across the globe and can be downloaded for free. Thank you to everyone who shared their designs with us — you are truly smashing! Have a happy and healthy 2024! ❤️

  • You can click on every image to see a larger preview,
  • 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 through 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.
  • Submit a wallpaper!
    Did you know that you could get featured in our next wallpapers post, too? We are always looking for creative talent.

Cheerful Chimes City

Designed by Design Studio from India.

Cheerful Chimes City

A Fresh Start

Designed by Ricardo Gimenes from Sweden.

A Fresh Start

Dots ’n’ Roll

“Let’s turn on 2024 with round style! Wishing all the best to everyone.” — Designed by Philippe Brouard from France.

Dots’n Roll

Seal-abrating The New Year

“As January’s calendar unfurls amidst snow-kissed trees, let’s embrace the seal’s example - spreading joy and warmth. Here’s to a new year filled with hope and happiness! Happy New Year!” — Designed by PopArt Studio from Serbia.

Seal-abrating The New Year

AI

Designed by Ricardo Gimenes from Sweden.

AI

Fishing With Penguins

“To begin with, and since we are in January, we are going to go towards the poles. We sat on an iceberg to fish, while we enjoyed the company of our penguin friends. We hope this is a great year and that you share it with those and things that make you happy. Happy new year!” — Designed by Veronica Valenzuela Jimenez from Spain.

Fishing With Penguins

Bird Bird Bird Bird

“Just four birds, ready for winter.” — Designed by Vlad Gerasimov from Georgia.

Bird Bird Bird Bird

Open The Doors Of The New Year

“January is the first month of the year and usually the coldest winter month in the Northern hemisphere. The name of the month of January comes from ‘ianua’, the Latin word for door, so this month denotes the door to the new year and a new beginning. Let’s open the doors of the new year together and hope it will be the best so far!” — Designed by PopArt Studio from Serbia.

Open the Doors of the New Year

Winter Leaves

Designed by Nathalie Ouederni from France.

Winter Leaves

Start Somewhere

“If we wait until we’re ready, we’ll be waiting for the rest of our lives. Start today — somewhere, anywhere.” — Designed by Shawna Armstrong from the United States.

Start Somewhere

Boom!

Designed by Elise Vanoorbeek from Belgium.

Boom.

Be Awesome Today

“A little daily motivation to keep your cool during the month of January.” — Designed by Amalia Van Bloom from the United States.

be awesome today

Happy Hot Tea Month

“You wake me up to a beautiful day; lift my spirit when I’m feeling blue. When I’m home you relieve me of the long day’s stress. You help me have a good time with my loved ones; give me company when I’m all alone. You’re none other than my favourite cup of hot tea.” — Designed by Acodez IT Solutions from India.

Happy Hot Tea Month!

Peaceful Mountains

“When all the festivities are over, all we want is some peace and rest. That’s why I made this simple flat art wallpaper with peaceful colors.” — Designed by Jens Gilis from Belgium.

Peaceful Mountains

New Year’s Magic

“After a hard but also enchanting night of delivering presents, Santa Claus sometimes happens to drop a few presents, so that some animals get them as well. Enjoy the holidays and gifts you have received and given to your loved ones!” — Designed by LibraFire from Serbia.

New Year’s Magic

Cold… Penguins!

“The new year is here! We waited for it like penguins. We look at the snow and enjoy it! — Designed by Veronica Valenzuela from Spain.

Cold Penguins

Snowman

Designed by Ricardo Gimenes from Sweden.

Snowman

A New Beginning

“I wanted to do a lettering-based wallpaper because I love lettering. I chose January because for a lot of people the new year is perceived as a new beginning and I wish to make them feel as positive about it as possible! The idea is to make them feel like the new year is (just) the start of something really great.” — Designed by Carolina Sequeira from Portugal.

A New Beginning

January Fish

“My fish tank at home inspired me to make a wallpaper with a fish.” — Designed by Arno De Decker from Belgium.

January Fish

Freedom

“It is great to take shots of birds and think about the freedom they have. Then I start dreaming of becoming one and flying around the world with their beautiful wings.” — Designed by Marija Zaric from Belgrade, Serbia.

Freedom

Dare To Be You

“The new year brings new opportunities for each of us to become our true selves. I think that no matter what you are — like this little monster — you should dare to be the true you without caring what others may think. Happy New Year!” — Designed by Maria Keller from Mexico.

Dare To Be You

Yogabear

Designed by Ricardo Gimenes from Sweden.

Yogabear

Winter Getaway

“What could be better, than a change of scene for a week? Even if you are too busy, just think about it.” — Designed by Igor Izhik from Canada.

Winter Getaway

Angel In Snow

Designed by Brainer from Ukraine.

Angel in Snow!

Snowy Octopus

Designed by Karolina Palka from Poland

Snowy Octopus

Rest Up For The New Year

“I was browsing for themes when I found this “Festival of Sleep” that takes place on the 3rd, and I’m a big fan of sleep… Especially in these cold months after the holiday craziness, it’s nice to get cozy and take a nice nap.” — Designed by Dorothy Timmer from Central Florida, USA.

Rest Up For The New Year

Oaken January

“In our country, Christmas is celebrated in January when oak branches and leaves are burnt to symbolize the beginning of the new year and new life. It’s the time when we gather with our families and celebrate the arrival of the new year in a warm and cuddly atmosphere.” — Designed by PopArt Studio from Serbia.

Oaken January

Rubber Ducky Day

“Winter can be such a gloomy time of the year. The sun sets earlier, the wind feels colder, and our heating bills skyrocket. I hope to brighten up your month with my wallpaper for Rubber Ducky Day!” — Designed by Ilya Plyusnin from Belgium.

Rubber Ducky Day

The Early January Bird

“January is the month of a new beginning, hope and inspiration. That’s why it reminds me of an early bird.” — Designed by Zlatina Petrova from Bulgaria.

The Early January Bird

New Year’s Resolution

Designed by Elise Vanoorbeek from Belgium.

New Year's Resolution

White Mountains

“Designed by Annika Oeser from Germany.

White Mountains

Oh Deer!

“Because deers are majestic creatures.” — Designed by Maxim Vanheertum from Belgium.

Oh deer!

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