Are you looking for dark wallpaper to decorate your desktop background? Many of the free wallpaper images you’ll find online are bright or colorful, but sometimes you may want something with more black or dark colors.
The photos showcased here will all make excellent backgrounds for your screen. If you see a picture you like, just click on the image and you’ll be led to a page where you can download a high resolution version of the picture for free.
Dark Wallpaper and Desktop Backgrounds
Here are some of our favorite options for dark backgrounds.
Dark Water
If you’re looking for a simple, interesting wallpaper, this abstract photo of water is an excellent choice. It provides plenty of texture and intrigue, while offering a dark background so your desktop icons will be easy to find.
Wave
Here is another photo of water that you’re sure to love. This one has more contrast than the previous photo but still gives you a nice dark background.
Starry Sky
How about a dark night sky photo for your desktop wallpaper? This stunning nature photo showcases an amazing starry sky and rock formation in the foreground.
Tree and Stars
Here is another night photo that could work well as a desktop background. The stars are on full display in the dark blue sky, and a leafless tree anchors the foreground.
Leaves
This close-up photo of leafy plants is perfect for desktop wallpaper. It provides just enough texture and interest while also giving you a consistently dark background behind your icons.
Ferns
This photo showcases beautiful green ferns in a very dark photo. Your entire screen will be filled with the picturesque leaves.
Plants
Here is another option for a dark, leafy background. Again, the leafs cover your screen and provide a nice background.
Looking for more wallpaper options?
Building
Abstract architectural photos can be very intriguing with the right composition, and this one certainly fits the bill. You’ll have a dark wallpaper with some texture and an interesting pattern.
Dark Sand
If you appreciate abstract photos and texture, you’ll love this dark sand wallpaper. It provides the perfect backdrop for your desktop icons and also offers intrigue without being overly distracting.
Lightning in the Dark Sky
This beautiful night sky photo captures a stunning bolt of lightning surrounded by a cloudy sky. This is a perfect desktop background for anyone who appreciates the beauty and power of nature.
Smoke Wallpaper
Here’s an abstract wallpaper created with smoke and a dark background.
Reaching Hand
This photo showcases an arm and hand reaching out from the darkness. The rest of the photo is completely dark and serves as an excellent desktop background.
Water Droplets
If you enjoy abstract photos and textures, you’re likely to appreciate this image. It showcases water droplets on glass or a metallic surface, with a dark background.
Water Droplets
Here’s another water droplet photo. This one is shot from an angle the sides of the photo feature a solid black background with the drops of water only in the center.
Abstract Dark Wallpaper
This abstract photo includes a dark background and leading lines, along with some curves to create an interesting composition.
Steps
This abstract photo of steps uses a black background that covers most of the photo. The dark areas are a perfect backdrop for your icons.
Moon
This dark nature photo features a bright moon near the center of the picture. The top of the photo is a dark blue sky with silhouettes of trees in the foreground and below the moon.
Crescent Moon
The simplicity of this minimalist photo is beautiful. It showcases a crescent moon on a black background to create an ideal dark desktop wallpaper.
Eclipse
This photo that captures an eclipse makes an excellent desktop background. It’s mostly dark with just the rays of light coming from the edges of the eclipse.
Trees from Above
Sometimes just changing the angle or point of view creates a really interesting photo. This aerial photograph showcases a beautiful and dark forest scene.
Aerial
Here’s another aerial photo that makes a great background. Compare to the previous photo, this one was captured from a much further distance. It provides a dark background with some texture and natural beauty from a perspective that we don’t often see.
Forest From Above
This aerial shot looks straight down on the top of trees that form a dense forest.
Dark Texture
This abstract dark wallpaper is perfect for an interesting background without being too busy. Your icons can sit on top of the background and be easily seen.
Birds
An abstract nature photo, this shot captures a dark sky filled with flying birds.
Seascape
If you like landscape photography, this coastal seascape is a beautiful dark wallpaper. The cloud-filled sky and blurred water provide a bit of light to contrast with the dark rocks and edges of the sky.
Flame
This picture is completely dark except for the bright orange flame in the center. You could place your desktop icons on either side so they’re easy to see and without covering up any of the flame.
Camp Fire
A bright camp fire on a black background makes this wallpaper an interesting option. There’s plenty of solid space on the right side of the picture to place your icons without interfering with the subject.
Mount Fuji
This landscape photo of Japan’s stunning Mount Fuji is very dark and moody. It makes an excellent desktop background.
Underground Track
This railroad scene is different than most of the other images showcased here. This one is a bit busier with more going on in the background, but there is still some low-contrast dark areas along the edges for some icons.
Golden Gate Bridge
San Francisco’s iconic Golden Gate Bridge is the star of this dark wallpaper. Everything in the photo is gray or black except for the bridge, which is lit up at night.
Dalby Forest
This dark, foggy forest scene makes a perfect desktop background. Seeing this on your computer screen will make you feel like you’re in the middle of the woods instead of sitting at your desk.
Mountain Stream
Landcape photos are often bright and colorful. This one is dark and dreary, but it’s a beautiful scene that could easily be used as a desktop background.
Dark Path
Here is another dark forest scene. This one showcases a narrow path leading through the trees.
Skull
The simplicity of this picture is intriguing. It features a skull in the shadows sitting on a black table in front of a black wall. Of course, all the solid color is ideal for a backdrop to your icons.
Moon in the Clear Sky
Nature lovers will appreciate this photo of an almost-full moon on a dark blue sky. The cloudless sky provides a solid backdrop.
Moon and Clouds
Here is another moon shot but this one is much different thanks to the clouds that fill the sky. The full moon is visible between the clouds.
Moon Through the Trees
This moon photograph was taken looking up through some leafless trees in the winter. It doesn’t feature a solid background because of all the trees, but it could be a nice option, especially if you use a smaller number of icons.
Man in Front of Smoke
Here’s an interesting photo that’s much different from others featured here. It features a man wearing a hood in front of some smoke that’s illuminated by a red light.
Dark Portrait
If you’re looking for a portrait to use as your wallpaper, this dark portrait of a woman could be an option. The edges of the photo are solid and dark, providing plenty of space for icons.
Child’s Face
Another portrait, this one is a close-up of a child. The child’s eyes really pop on the dark background.
Girl
This photo of a girl has a dark matte look with lots of different shades of gray in the picture.
Dark Hallway
This photo of a dark hallway uses leading lines, patterns, and framing to create a beautiful composition. As a wallpaper, the dark sides of the photo are ideal for your icons.
Arm and Snake
Here’s an interesting photo of a tatoed arm with a snake wrapped around the wrist and hand. The solid black background provides contrast and gives you a clean place for your icons.
Jet
This photo showcases a dark cloudless sky. The image is a solid color aside from the small jet in the center and the white streaks created in the sky.
Car
If you love cars, you may appreciate this dark wallpaper. The background of the image is black, the car itself is dark, and the light for the photo is dark. The brake lights stand out as the only light and color in the photo.
Coffee Mug
Here’s a simple shot that may be the perfect background for coffee lovers.
Dark Room
This photo shows a brown wooden chair sitting in a small area of light in an otherwise dark room. The position of the chair an a light at the top left of the photo add balance to the composition.
Down a Hole
This photo was taken from a well or a hole in the ground. The perspective is looking up to the sky outside of the hole.
Urban Decay
This photo showcases a grungy textured scene of urban decay.
Baseball
Here is another simple photo that could work well as a background. A baseball is at the center of the photo, surrounded by dark textured ground.
Final Thoughts
These dark wallpapers should give you plenty of options if you’re looking for an alternative to a bright and colorful desktop background. If you see a photo you like, simply click on the photo and you’ll be led to the source where you can download a high res version of the image for free.
