Top 9 best minimalist desk setups to inspire your own

When you finally have your war machine built and you’re ready to jump into the vast and exciting world of PC gaming, you’ll need to get your workstation sorted. You can’t put your pride and joy on a milk crate. Here are some of the best minimalist setups to inspire you as you set up your own desk.

A tidy desk means a tidy mind, so you don’t want your workspace to be cluttered and chaotic. Take a page out of the Japanese art of Feng Shui and minimize your desk setup to help streamline your gaming station or home office.

The cosy minimalist setup

For me, the most inviting workplace is a cozy one. I like the soft tones, natural environment, with a breath of fresh air only a step away. Being amongst earthy tones and soft light is a world away from the clinical, cold, room of an office and not only inspires creativity but also calm. If you’re looking for a zen, natural feel to your minimalist desk setup, try something like this.

The setup is achieved with a view of something green such as a park or some trees. Wooden desks, clean but soft lines, and neutral coloring draw the eye to nature and bring the natural wonders of the earth to mind. It can all be pulled together nicely with some plants also. Nothing beats natural light for inspiring happiness and calm.

Minimal space, maximum setup

Sometimes space can be limited when working from home, and this can often lead to a cluttered workspace or gaming zone. By utilizing small spaces properly, it is possible to create the perfect minimalist desk setup. It is important to keep these areas clean and clear of clutter, though, as they fill up fast. Clever storage management and peripherals that don’t take up space is key. Look at getting hold of a cut-size keyboard and an appropriate monitor.

The Woodshop

If you have always liked the workshop setup with its wood and sawdust vibes, then bring it in to your minimalist PC setups. Look for things like trestle tables and tool hangers rather than the usual options for offices. As long as it is functional, it is suitable for your WFH desk. The more you can make yourself, the better. Unpainted, waxed, and repurposed wood is the core of the woodshop minimalist setup.

Neon dreams

As any true PC gamer will tell you, RGB lighting not only boosts FPS but also hugely improves gaming skills. The more neon RGBs on a setup, the better. Everything, from your water cooling system to your mechanical keyboard, needs as many lighting effects as humanly possible. However, this lighting can often lead not only to epileptic fits but also to a very cluttered desk. With this bright but minimalist desk setup, simplicity hasn’t been sacrificed for lighting.

Cultured minimalism

There is something just so cozy about a classic desk set up with its leatherbound books and soft lighting. Taking a video call with a backdrop of books and paintings will give your Zoom meetings the flair of a professor calling chatting with a CNN anchor during a live interview. It’s a guarantee of respect and trust. With this setup, a library or office can be turned into a WFH setup. Keeping your desk setup minimalist won’t take away from the majesty of the room around it.

Ultimate minimalist desk setup

A true minimalist setup has as little to draw the eye as possible. I’m talking no colors, no plants, no speakers or unwanted peripheries, and absolutely no RGBs. With this setup, the secret is stripping your minimalist desk down to the bare bones of what is needed. The best way to achieve this is with very clever cable management and the most compact supports you can find. Thin, grey metals and compact extras are everything. Of course, if you really want your setup to disappear into nothing, strip all colors too.

Minimalist musician desk setup

Getting the setup right for a musical studio can be a lot harder than it looks. Things like acoustics, vibrations, and convenience all play a huge part. Another big roadblock for the perfect minimalist musician’s desk setup is the issue of cables. I have always struggled to keep mine looking tidy. However, with some cable ties, and well-placed Velcro straps, a clean look can be achieved. Ensuring that everything is within arms reach, and the setup is kept clean and tidy, a desk like this will help the musical creativity flow freely.

Minimalism on a budget

When building your minimalist desk setup on a budget, the important things to spend money on stay the same. You will be spending a lot of time sitting down, so invest in a good chair. Make sure it has lumbar support and some adjustability. Another important element is space. Having a small desk can seem great for space-saving, but it will get cluttered quickly and mess with your energy. Finally, for the perfect minimalist setup, nail your cable management and stands. These handy little tools not only clean your desk up but also make things like screen adjustment and cable changing much easier.

Retro minimalism

The days of paper-thin ultra-wide monitors and 65% keyboards are upon us. The old days of CRT monitors and monstrous mechanical keyboards are only just over the horizon, but we still made it work. Back in the days of Windows 98 and Flight Simulator a lot more had to be done to get your minimalist desk setup looking like anything but a war machine. These desks needed steel beam reinforcement to hold the sheer tonnage of the 5MB ram these contained.

PC Invasion is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more