Countdown To New Adventures (January 2026 Wallpapers Edition)
hello@smashingmagazine.com (Cosima Mielke)
Source: Articles on Smashing Magazine — For Web Designers And Developers | Read More
Whether 2026 has already begun as you’re reading this or you’re still waiting for the big countdown to start, how about some new wallpapers to get your desktop ready for the new year? We’ve got you covered.
A new year is the perfect opportunity to break free from routines, reset habits, and refine how you do things. And while you may have made plenty of New Year’s resolutions, sometimes it’s the small changes that work wonders — a tidy desktop and a new wallpaper, for example, that give you a little motivation boost when you need it.
In this post, you’ll find desktop wallpapers to accompany you through your first adventures of 2026, to make you smile, and to bring some happy pops of color to a cold and dark winter day. As every month since we started our monthly wallpapers series more than 14 years ago, all of them were created with love by artists and designers from across the globe and can be downloaded for free.
A huge thank-you to everyone who shared their designs with us this month — you are truly smashing! Have a happy and healthy new year, 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! 🎨 We are always looking for creative talent and would love to feature your desktop wallpaper in one of our upcoming posts. Join in ↬
Snow drifted quietly as a child and their loyal dog paused beside the glowing Christmas tree, each ornament holding a small piece of winter wonder. In that still moment, the cold faded away, replaced by warmth, curiosity, and the simple joy of being together. — Designed by PopArt Studio from Serbia.
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.
“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.
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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
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.
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.
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.
“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.
“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.
Feeling inspired? We’ll publish the February wallpapers on January 31, so if you’d like to be a part of the collection, please don’t hesitate to submit your design. We are already looking forward to it!
