New Year, New Hopes, New Dreams (January 2025 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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Maybe 2025 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! Our new collection of desktop wallpapers has got you covered.

The new year is the perfect occasion to tidy up your desktops and start on a fresh, clean slate. No clutter, just the things you really need and plenty of space for what’s about to come. So how about some new desktop wallpapers to make the makeover complete and spark your inspiration this January?

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

In this post, you’ll find January wallpapers to inspire, make you smile, or just to cater for some happy pops of color on a dark winter day. All of them are created with love by artists and designers from across the globe and can be downloaded for free. A big thank you to everyone who shared their designs with us — you are truly smashing! Have a happy and healthy 2025, everyone!

  • 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 your wallpaper design! 👩‍🎨
    Feeling inspired? We are always looking for creative talent and would love to feature your desktop wallpaper in one of our upcoming posts. We can’t wait to see what you’ll come up with!

Happy New Year ’86

Designed by Ricardo Gimenes from Spain.

Happy New Year ’86

Who Wants To Be King

Designed by Ricardo Gimenes from Spain.

Who Wants To Be King

Bird Bird Bird Bird

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

Bird Bird Bird Bird

Celebrate Squirrel Appreciation Day!

“Join us in honoring our furry little forest friends this Squirrel Appreciation Day! Whether they’re gathering nuts, building cozy homes, or brightening up winter days with their playful antics, squirrels remind us to treasure nature’s small wonders. Let’s show them some love today!” — Designed by PopArt Studio from Serbia

.

Celebrate Squirrel Appreciation Day!

Cheerful Chimes City

Designed by Design Studio from India.

Cheerful Chimes City

A Fresh Start

Designed by Ricardo Gimenes from Spain.

A Fresh Start

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

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

Boom!

Designed by Elise Vanoorbeek from Belgium.

Boom.

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

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

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

Yogabear

Designed by Ricardo Gimenes from Spain.

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

Don Quijote, Here We Go!

“This year we are going to travel through books, and you couldn’t start with a better one than Don Quijote de la Mancha!” — Designed by Veronica Valenzuela Jimenez from Spain.

Don Quijote, Here We Go!

The Little Paradox

Designed by Ricardo Gimenes from Spain.

The Little Paradox

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

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!

Don’t Forget Your Vitamins

“Discover the seasonal fruits and vegetables. In January: apple and banana enjoying the snow!” — Designed by Vitaminas Design from Spain.

Don’t Forget Your Vitamins

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

Angel In Snow

Designed by Brainer from Ukraine.

Angel in Snow!

Snowman

Designed by Ricardo Gimenes from Spain.

Snowman

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

A New Start

“The new year brings hope, festivity, lots and lots of resolutions, and many more goals that need to be achieved.” — Designed by Damn Perfect from India.

A New Start

Wolf Month

“Wolf-month (in Dutch ‘wolfsmaand’) is another name for January.” — Designed by Chiara Faes from Belgium.

Wolf-Month

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