Having a beautiful desktop background can be a fantastic motivator – unfortunately it can be difficult to sort the great from the ghastly when it comes to wallpaper design. To make the search easier, we’ve hand picked a selection of 50 stunning desktop images for your viewing pleasure.

I’ve split the collection down into a few different categories for easier browsing; Apple & Technology, Design & Typography, Abstract, and Nature & Architecture. Do let me know if you have any other favorites which I’ve missed!

Apple & Technology Wallpapers

Applewood

The Apple logo on a cold, wooden backdrop.

A Weathered Apple

A wooden, colorful, Apple logo on a simple background.

It’s Like Chocolate

Colorful stripes with a subtle Apple logo and some chocolaty goo!

MacRise

Simply gorgeous colours with a lens flare effect behind the Apple logo.

Apple Stitched

Ever wondered what it would be like to have an Apple logo stitched onto your denim?

Black Leather Apple

A wonderful leather-y texture for this wallpaper, also available without the Apple logo.

Hardwood Lights

A simple wooden texture, embedded Apple logo, and some spotlights from above

Apple Swirls

Classic and subtle, something you’d expect from Apple themselves.

Wooden Wall

A pack of 11 different wooden Apple styled wallpapers.

Apple Love

A valentines tribute to Apple, with a fantastic play on the iconic logo. I used this as a desktop background for several months, and it’s very easy on the eye.

Leopard Server Aurora

The alternative Leopard wallpaper for the OS X Server – arguably better than the default.

Dream Service Providers

A scary concept, but a wonderful depiction. Dreaming of your Mac could be a sign you need to take a break…

Blue Tie

A simple texture with a small, classic Apple tag in the lower left corner.

Grey Apple Splash

A lovely play on the colorful, splashy iPod adverts with a darker twist.

Conquer The Universe

There are no guarantees that you’ll be able to conquer the universe just by applying this wallpaper. But it will look nice.

Aqua Apple

Aqua-licious, subtle and watery. Ridiculous adjectives but a wonderful wallpaper.

Green Apple Grunge

A refreshing change from the typical glossy Apple desktop.

In The Spotlight

A depiction of what it would look like to Spotlight search for the Apple logo.

Design & Typography Wallpapers

Accolades

A wonderful type design from the I Love Typography collection.

I Love Typography

Another from the I Love Typography collection – do check out the rest.

My True Love

A great combination of typography, texture and colour.

Bloody Hippy

An old wallpaper, but still looking good and chocolaty.

Freelance Switch Wallpapers

Some cute and curious designs for a freelancer’s desktop.

Design Is A Trend

Angles and warm colours give this one a really unique look.

Clip Art Design

A stab at the clip-art generation, depicted in typical Veerle style.

Tangle

A design tangle, with a stunning set of colors.

Spotlight

Contemplating a set of design-related words, with a lovely image.

Abstract Wallpapers

Colorsplash

A beautiful depiction of colour, smashing into your desktop.

Chroma Wallpapers

A selection of four different styles from ColourCharge

Flow

It’s time for some fresh, dynamic colors for your desktop.

Infinity Gold

Wonderful orange swooshes and swirls, in a variety of different sizes.

Elemental

Depicting each of nature’s elements in an abstract manner.

Inside Rainbow

An explosion of colour.

Jacket Pack

An odd concept, but it somehow works. Keeps your Mac warm too…

Colour Picker

A great abstract rendering, with many more fantastic desktop graphics on the same site.

Aqua Wave

There’s something typically Apple about this one, but with a completely different texture.

Strukt

I’m not usually a fan of dark wallpapers such as this, but it works very well.

Flow

A great lens flare effect with vibrant colors.

Nature & Architecture Wallpapers

Survivor

Gorgeous photo manipulation, and one lucky tree.

Moody Waters

Can’t help thinking that it would make a brilliant office!

Nature in Style

Nature never does go out of style – great adaptation.

Nature Pack

Containing a wide range of different nature-related desktops.

Mystery Bridge

Wouldn’t mind going for a walk through this place, a perfectly exposed shot.

Little World

Good use of colour, and a great concept.

Vista Wallpapers

Originally designed for Windows Vista, there are some great images in here (go on, at least click the link – it’s not typical a Windows affair!)

Tower Bridge

A great landmark in an abstract situation – particularly patriotic for UK readers.

Blue Moon

I love the attention to detail in this one, a great ‘space’ style desktop.

Aker

It really screams ‘Windows’ to me, but the colours are so vivid – it’s a great photograph.

Spectrum of the Sky

Tracking the changing days and seasons – would be perfect if the reflection was a little more subtle…

Hunua Falls

Idyllic, warm and a great distraction from wherever you’re working.