Beneath The Autumn Leaves (October 2019 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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Get ready for October and the upcoming Halloween season with a fresh batch of wallpapers. Created with love by the community for the community.

Misty mornings, pumpkins, leaves shining in bright red, yellow, and orange hues — these are just some of the things about October that inspired artists and designers to participate in this month’s wallpapers challenge.

The monthly challenge has been going on for more than nine years already, and each time anew, creatives from all across the globe submit their designs to it to cater for some variety on your desktop and mobile screens — and for a bit of fresh inspiration, of course.

In this collection, you’ll find their wallpaper designs for October 2019. They come in versions with and without a calendar so that you can continue to use your favorite even after the month has ended. Speaking of favorites: As a little extra goodie, we compiled some favorites from past wallpapers editions at the end of this post. A big thank-you to everyone who shared their designs with us this time around. Happy October!

Please note that:

  • All images can be clicked on and lead to the preview of the wallpaper,
  • 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

We are always looking for designers and artists to be featured in our wallpapers posts. So if you’re feeling creative, please don’t hesitate to submit your design. We’d love to see what you’ll come up with for November. Join in! →

First Scarf And The Beach

“When I was little my parents always took me and my sister for a walk at the beach in Nieuwpoort, we didn't really do those beach walks in the summer but always when the sky started to turn grey and the days became colder. My sister and I always took out our warmest scarfs and played in the sand while my parents walked behind us. I really loved those Saturday or Sunday mornings where we were all together. I think October (when it’s not raining) is the perfect month to go to the beach for ‘uitwaaien’ (to blow out), to walk in the wind and take a break and clear your head, relieve the stress or forget one’s problems.” — Designed by Gwen Bogaert from Belgium.

First Scarf And The Beach
## Rain And Acorns

“Waiting at the bus stop when it’s raining in October can be a sad and wet experience. The bus is late, the dry spot is taken by other people and you’re just standing there in the rain with your hands in your pockets with nowhere to go. Acorns must have a hard time like that too! Waiting in the rain for the squirrels to come and pick them up.” — Designed by Casey Dulst from Belgium.

Rain And Acorns
## Transitions

“To me, October is a transitional month. We gradually slide from summer to autumn. That’s why I chose to use a lot of gradients. I also wanted to work with simple shapes, because I think of October as the ‘back to nature/back to basics month’.” — Designed by Jelle Denturck from Belgium.

Transitions
## Autumn Is In The Air

“October reminds me of autumn, the season where you see fall leaves, squirrels, the weather that’s changing. Ever walked into the woods when it’s autumn? You can hear the magical sound of the wind blowing away the leaves. The woods are the most beautiful at fall, everything starts to color into yellow, orange, and brown. And you can meet some nice squirrels at the corner of a tree.” — Designed by Delphine Wylin from Belgium.

Autumn Is In The Air
## The Return

Designed by Ricardo Gimenes from Sweden.

The Return
## Sleepy Hedgehog

“Hedgehogs usually start to hibernate around October. This little hedgehog is celebrating Halloween on his own terms, while he is asleep.” — Designed by Aaron Harinck from Belgium.

Sleepy Hedgehog
## The Month Of Tricks And Treats

“The fiery pumpkins blaze in the dark. The bonfires, the songs, the dancing around and the sumptuous feast. There is so much to look forward to this month.” — Designed by Mobile App Development from India.

The Month Of Tricks And Treats
## Turtles In Space

“Finished September, with October comes the month of routines. This year we share it with turtles that explore space.” — Designed by Veronica Valenzuela from Spain.

Turtles In Space
## Halloween House Call

“Halloween brings a nighttime of fun for all the family. With trick-or-treating round the neighborhood, it’s a pastime families love to take part in nationwide. We wanted to celebrate this event by coming up with a design concept that would pay homage to the most iconic Halloween fruit of them all, the mighty Pumpkin! What better way to look forward to this spooktacular night than with a geometric art pumpkin calendar. Enjoy your night, whatever you have planned!” — Designed by Ever Increasing Circles from the United Kingdom.

Halloween House Call
## Create More

“The colors of the sun inspired me.” — Designed by Hitesh Puri from India.

Create More
## Sober October

“Every year when October begins, my family and I light up the fireplace for the first time. This time of the year the leaves start falling and it starts to become cold outside which makes it even cosier.” — Designed by Jasper Vermeulen from Belgium.

Sober October
## Brexit

“October 2019 will always be remembered as Brexit-month so I wanted to create a wallpaper that’s inspired by Brexit. At the same time I wanted to stay away from the classic Brexit/Europe colours. I came up with a pop-up window to imply that maybe, before really exiting the EU, the UK should reconsider what they are doing. ‘Is it ok to take this huge decision while people are screaming for another referendum’ is only one of the questions I want the British government to ask themselves.” — Designed by Nand Rogge from Belgium.

Brexit
## Month Of Gratitude

“As autumn advances, the leaves descend in great gratitude, they return to Earth to rise again. Under the shedding tree the students and teachers learn, for a teacher sheds her years so that the students can grow.” — Designed by Mindster from India.

Month Of Gratitude
## Disarmament Week

“According to research, 44 million Americans own firearms. The last week of October is Disarmament Week, so we are inspired by states like Liechtenstein, who abolished army and don’t use weapons. This monthly calendar is dedicated to all those who follow this trend. If the whole world was like Liechtenstein, we would be happier and cheerful. So, let’s all stand together against guns and bombs and establish a world without ammunition.” — Designed by PopArt Studio from Serbia.

Disarmament Week
## Apples

“Apples are known all throughout the world yet barely anyone knows about Apple Day. For this reason I decided to put Apple Day in an extra spotlight and create a calendar about it. I hope others may enjoy apples as much as I do.” — Designed by Miguel De Pelsmaeker from Belgium.

Apples
## Wandering In Woods

“The icy mountains keeping the body frozen, yet the mind wandering over the expansive woods.” — Designed by Sweans Technologies from London.

Wandering In Woods
## Oktoberfest

“When I think about October, I immediately say ‘Oktoberfest’, partly for the obvious October part, but mostly for the ‘fest’ one. As we all know, Oktoberfest is a German traditional celebration dedicated to beer, that annually gathers friends from everywhere around the world, all having in common the passion for good beer (in large quantities), traditional food and the fun factor. And what can be more entertaining than having fun with your friends while drinking beer in an authentic German scenario?” — Designed by Loredana Codau (@loricacucrizanteme on Instagram) from Romania.

Oktoberfest
## Oldies But Goodies

Hidden in our wallpapers archives, we rediscovered some nearly-forgotten treasures from past editions. May we present… (Please note that these designs don’t come with a calendar.)

Shades Of Gold

“We are about to experience the magical imagery of nature, with all the yellows, ochers, oranges, and reds coming our way this fall. With all the subtle sunrises and the burning sunsets before us, we feel so joyful that we are going to shout it out to the world from the top of the mountains.” — Designed by PopArt Studio from Serbia.

Shades Of Gold
### Flying Home For Halloween

“You can only fully master the sky wearing an aviator hat and goggles. Like this little bat, flying home to celebrate Halloween with his family and friends.” — Designed by Franke Margrete from the Netherlands.

Flying Home For Halloween
### Hanlu

“The term ‘Hanlu’ literally translates as ‘Cold Dew.’ The cold dew brings brisk mornings and evenings. Eventually the briskness will turn cold, as winter is coming soon. And chrysanthemum is the iconic flower of Cold Dew.” — Designed by Hong, ZI-Qing from Taiwan.

Hanlu
### Strange October Journey

“October makes the leaves fall to cover the land with lovely auburn colors and brings out all types of weird with them.” — Designed by Mi Ni Studio from Serbia.

Strange October Journey
### Fallen Woods

Designed by Dan Ioanitescu from Canada.

Desktop Wallpaper - October 2012
### Autumn Gate

“The days are colder, but the colors are warmer, and with every step we go further, new earthly architecture reveals itself, making the best of winters’ dawn.” — Designed by Ana Masnikosa from Belgrade, Serbia.

Autumn Gate
### Discovering The Universe!

“Autumn is the best moment for discovering the universe. I am looking for a new galaxy or maybe… a UFO!” — Designed by Verónica Valenzuela from Spain.

Discovering The Universe!
### All The Things

“During our recent rebrand, everyone in our team got their very own icon, each one has been custom illustrated by a lovely man called Paul, who wears glasses. The icons have all been chosen to represent something personal to each individual as well as all the other usual suspects you’d expect from an iconset.” — Designed by Engage Interactive from the United Kingdom.

All the things
### Exploration

“In my travels to Selinsgrove, PA this past month, I had another opportunity to appreciate the beauty that surrounded me: trees, mountains, streams, rivers and fauna. This exploration was the inspiration for this piece encouraging others to explore new places and cherish the experience of being outdoors.” — Designed by Gabrielle Gorney from the United States.

Exploration
### Dreaming

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

Dreaming
### Say “Bye” To Summer

“And hello to Autumn! The Summer heat and high season is over. It’s time to pack our backpacks and head for the mountains — there are many treasures waiting to be discovered!” Designed by Agnes Sobon from Poland.

Desktop Wallpaper - October 2012
### Haunted House

Designed by Mad Fish Digital from the United States.

Trick Or Treat
### Mushrooms

“Autumn is the mushroom season. Be vigilant. Do not abuse.” Designed by Cheloveche.ru from Russia.

Free Desktop Wallpaper - October 2011
### Save Water, Drink Rain

Designed by Marika Smirnova from Russia.

Smashing Wallpaper - october 11
### Autumn Colors

“I love the autumn colors and making pictures, this is a collage of bits and pieces of various autumn photos from previous seasons. Enjoy!” — Designed by Agnes Swart from the Netherlands.

Autumn colors
### 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

Join In Next Month!

Thank you to all designers for their participation. Join in next month!