The Small Joys Of April (2021 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 welcome the new month with some fresh wallpapers. Designed with love by artists and designers from across the globe, they are available with and without a calendar for April 2021.

Starting off the new month with a little inspiration boost — that’s the motivation behind our monthly wallpapers series which has been going on for more than ten years already. Each month, the wallpapers are created by the community for the community and everyone who has an idea for a design is welcome to submit it — experienced designers just like aspiring artists. Of course, it wasn’t any different this time around.

For this edition, creative folks from all across the globe once again challenged their skills to cater for some good vibes on your screens. The wallpapers all come in versions with and without a calendar for April 2021 and can be downloaded for free. A huge thank-you goes out to everyone who shared their designs with us — you’re smashing!

Last but not least, you’ll also find a selection of April favorites from our archives at the end of this post. Because, well, some things are just too good to be forgotten, right? Enjoy!

  • 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

Did you know that you could get featured in our next wallpapers post, too? We are always looking for creative talent! Don’t be shy, join in! →

European Capital Of Culture 2021

“The festivities marking Novi Sad as the European Capital of Culture may have been postponed to 2022, but to us, Novi Sad is the cultural, artistic, and educational hub every day. Novi Sad is a wonderful mix of various cultures and traditions, unhurried days, and memorable nights. From hiking endeavors on Fruška Gora Marathon and laid-back picnics in many of our city’s parks and Danube quay, the sounds of tambura coming from local restaurants to Petrovaradin fortress, jumping to the rhythm of global hits on Exit festival, museums and galleries, pubs and nightclubs in Laze Telečkog, the upbeat street of Novi Sad’s urban and night life — Novi Sad welcomes you with its diversity, uniqueness, and passion.” — Designed by PopArt Studio from Serbia.

European Capital Of Culture 2021
## Sunset In Sydney

“I can see a ship sailing in the river while I am hearing a beautiful opera.” — Designed by Veronica Valenzuela from Spain.

Sunset In Sydney
## Spring Time

Designed by Ricardo Gimenes from Sweden.

Spring Time
## Happy Easter

“Easter always feels like the start of Spring! And this year, after a particularly hard winter of lockdowns, it’s needed more than ever. Time to start living the outdoor life again and feeling the warmth of the sun! Happy Easter everyone!” — Designed by Ever Increasing Circles from the United Kingdom.

Happy Easter
## April Showers

“Inspired by the old saying, April Showers bring May flowers!” — Designed by Milica from Serbia.

April Showers
## I’m Ready For Spring

Designed by Ricardo Gimenes from Sweden.

I’m Ready For Spring
## Smashing Time

Designed by Ricardo Gimenes from Sweden.

Smashing Time
## Our Only Home

“In April, we celebrate World Health Day. This year’s celebration is perhaps more relevant than ever before. In addition to caring for the health of humanity, let us also take care of the health of the planet, because it is our only home.” — Designed by LibraFire from Serbia.

Our Only Home
## Oldies But Goodies

Sakura, rainy days, imagination filling up one’s mind with ideas — often it was the little things that inspired the community to design a wallpaper for April. Below you’ll find a selection of some of these almost-forgotten favorites from our archives. Maybe you’ll rediscover an old acquaintance in there, too?

Spring Awakens

“Despite the threat that has befallen us all, we all look forward to the awakening of a life that spreads its wings after every dormant winter and opens its petals to greet us. Long live spring, long live life.” — Designed by LibraFire from Serbia.

Spring Awakens

Clover Field

Designed by Nathalie Ouederni from France.

Clover Field

Fairytale

“A tribute to Hans Christian Andersen. Happy Birthday!” — Designed by Roxi Nastase from Romania.

Fairytale

Happy Easter

Designed by Tazi Design from Australia.

Happy Easter

Sakura

“Spring is finally here with its sweet Sakura’s flowers, which remind me of my trip to Japan.” — Designed by Laurence Vagner from France.

Smashing Wallpaper - April 2011

Good Day

“Some pretty flowers and spring time always make for a good day.” — Designed by Amalia Van Bloom from the United States.

good day

April Insignia

“April — its first day reminds us that laughter makes life better. Nature also laughs, but it does so in daisies!” — Designed by Ana Masnikosa from Belgrade, Serbia.

April Insignia

Rainy Day

Designed by Xenia Latii from Berlin, Germany.

Rainy Day

Spring Serenity

“My inspiration was the arrival of spring that transmits a sense of calmness and happiness through its beautiful colors.” — Designed by Margarida Granchinho from Portugal.

Spring Serenity

Dreaming

“The moment when you just walk and your imagination fills up your mind with thoughts.” — Designed by Gal Shir from Israel.

Dreaming

April Flowers

“While April showers usually bring May flowers, we thought we all deserved flowers a little early this year. During a stressful time in the world, spending time thinking about others is an antidote to some of the uncertainty. We thought this message, Lift Others Up, reflected the energy the world needs.” — Designed by Mad Fish Digital from Portland, Oregon.

April Flowers

You’re Smashing

Designed by Ricardo Gimenes from Sweden.

You’re Smashing

A Time For Reflection

“‘We’re all equal before a wave.’ (Laird Hamilton)” — Designed by Shawna Armstrong from the United States.

A Time for Reflection

The Perpetual Circle

“The Black Forest, which is beginning right behind our office windows, so we can watch the perpetual circle of nature, when we take a look outside.” — Designed by Nils Kunath from Germany.

The perpetual circle

Purple Rain

“This month is International Guitar Month! Time to get out your guitar and play. As a graphic designer/illustrator seeing all the variations of guitar shapes begs to be used for a fun design. Search the guitar shapes represented and see if you see one similar to yours, or see if you can identify some of the different styles that some famous guitarists have played (BTW, Prince’s guitar is in there and purple is just a cool color).” — Designed by Karen Frolo from the United States.

Purple Rain

Egg Hunt In Wonderland

“April is Easter time and I wanted to remind us that there’s a child inside all of us. My illustration is based on the story that fills our imagination since childhood, Alice in Wonderland, and joined to one of the most traditional customs in America at this time of year, the egg hunt. That’s how we get an ‘egg hunt in wonderland’.” — Designed by Patrícia Garcia from Portugal.

Egg Hunt In Wonderland

Space Travel

“In April 1961, Yuri Gagarin became the first traveler who had a round trip to outer space.” — Designed by Igor Izhik from Canada.

Space Travel

Fusion

Designed by Rio Creativo from Poland.

Fusion

Citrus Passion

Designed by Nathalie Ouederni from France.

Citrus Passion

Shakespeare’s Birthday

“April 23 sees the anniversary of William Shakespeare’s Birthday, arguably the finest writer England has ever produced. Here’s a jolly little wallpaper featuring some of his most famous quotes.” — Designed by Daniel Rooms from England.

Shakespeare's Birthday

Abril Lluvias Mil

“We were inspired by the rain and a popular Spanish adage which says: ‘April a thousand rains’, which means a lot of rain in April.” — Designed by Colorsfera from Spain.

Abril lluvias mil

The Smashing Cat exploring new insights, at Smashing Workshops, of course.

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