The Magic Of New Beginnings (January 2024 Wallpapers Edition) — Smashing Magazine

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.

A Fresh Start

Designed by Ricardo Gimenes from Sweden.

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• without calendar: 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440, 3840×2160

AI

Designed by Ricardo Gimenes from Sweden.

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• without calendar: 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440, 3840×2160

Bird Bird Bird Bird

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

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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.

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Winter Leaves

Designed by Nathalie Ouederni from France.

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.

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Boom!

Designed by Elise Vanoorbeek from Belgium.

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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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Snowman

Designed by Ricardo Gimenes from Sweden.

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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.

January Fish

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

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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.

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.

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Yogabear

Designed by Ricardo Gimenes from Sweden.

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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.

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Angel In Snow

Designed by Brainer from Ukraine.

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Designed by Karolina Palka from Poland

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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New Year’s Resolution

Designed by Elise Vanoorbeek from Belgium.

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White Mountains

“Designed by Annika Oeser from Germany.

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Oh Deer!

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

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(cm, il)