Designing an entire desk aesthetic round your PC is really satisfying
I’ve seen the sunshine, and it’s #FFFFFF. After years of constructing black, windowless obelisk PCs, I am now smitten with my new white case and the way effectively it matches my desk. It is a enjoyable angle on PC constructing I hadn’t thought-about an excessive amount of earlier than: not simply taking note of how tidy and trendy the PC appears on the within, however the way it suits with the remainder of my setup.
In case you’ve had the itch to construct a brand new PC however have been holding off due to GPU and CPU shortages, constructing a extra aesthetic PC+desk combo is a superb various. Only a new case could make a giant distinction—though for those who’re like me, one improve could snowball into fascinated by all the opposite issues you can do to class up your desk and make it higher match with the room it lives in.
Constructing a brand new standing desk was the catalyst for me. I had a pleasant mild birch wooden prime which for years had been sitting on black legs and an inexpensive black Ikea shelf. I made a decision to modify to white legs, then acquired a brand new white submitting cupboard to go along with the desk. I really like how clear the white {hardware} appears. And since my desk is in the lounge, it suits higher with our pure mild white moulding across the doorways and home windows, too. Wanting underneath the desk, the black PC actually stood out—black cables are sort of inevitable, however the PC case I may do one thing about.
Shade is the important thing
I needed a case with room for a thick 280mm Arctic cooler, so I purchased the white Lian Li Lancool 2 Mesh and transferred my PC over. The white case truly pairs superbly with my Gigabyte RTX 3070 Imaginative and prescient graphics card and the white LEDs on my RAM. If I acquired a white motherboard, I might actually be in enterprise (though I will by no means hand over my brown Noctua followers). Absolutely customizing your PC inside is an entire matter by itself that I will most likely put extra effort into subsequent time I do a major improve.
Even with simply the case swap, daily I sit down at my desk I am happy with how good it appears collectively. The Lancool 2 Mesh’s tinted facet panels give the case a white and black combo that pairs effectively with my subwoofer and the black {hardware} on prime of my desk. I want I might thought of a white monitor arm, however perhaps some new white audio system are in my future. It is a new desk in a brand new condo for me, so I will be doing quite a lot of twiddling with it within the months forward. And that is an novice setup in comparison with what you will discover from PC players who’ve put tons of thought into the whole lot surrounding their desks.
Reddit’s grand temple of PC constructing, /r/battlestations, is full of fashionable posts showcasing PCs and whole rooms ablaze with RGB lights, and multi-monitor setups that I can not think about truly utilizing day-to-day with out ruining my neck. They’re certain spectacular, although!
Alongside the flashiest battlestation posts are tons of gorgeous gaming setups that supply a extra sensible takeaway: exhibiting simply how efficient matching up the colours round your desk will be. It is an incredible place to search for inspiration. Listed here are a few of my favorites, and what I realized from them.
Stick with white and colours will actually pop
Redditor leh0ang’s desk right here is perhaps a contact faraway from minimalist, however the abundance of white {hardware} and decor actually makes it work. Take a look at how effectively the NZXT PC case’s B&W design matches the skinny bezels of the screens, the audio system, and even the mouse. That theme continues to the framed images above their desk and the cabinets to the appropriate. Even the Xbox controller is white.
The actually professional transfer right here, although, is the predominately white keyboard, with splashes of crimson, yellow and purple accenting that match the desktop. Lovely. It additionally avoids being too white, which is feasible (except you get pleasure from your desk trying prefer it belongs in an artwork home sci-fi film).
Accent colours look nice with black
I am in love with the right, delicate makes use of of shade at Redditor dailysetuptech’s desk. First, the apparent lighting: the yellow tint on the case RGBs will likely be simpler on the eyes late at night time than vibrant white or blue, and the lightbulb lamp (which freaking levitates) is an equally heat mild. RGBs are inclined to look harsh and digital, however the heat lighting right here together with the great wood desk makes the entire setup really feel particularly cozy.
There are a pair good accent colours on the desk, too. First, the yellow Escape and Enter keys on the keyboard, which tie it to the PC’s lighting. After which my favourite bit: the crimson headphone cable and the crimson toy Ferrari parked underneath the screens. Nailed it.
Embrace the wooden grain
Listed here are a pair of examples from Redditors mrnovarexo and SkweezyJibsss, who every used wooden as a key accent on their desks. Each have darkish, reddish brown desks, and you’ll see how mrnovarexo saved nearly the whole lot at their desk black and gray apart from just a few splashes of shade that actually go along with the wooden. There’s the orange glow of the mouse RGB, the orange row of keys on the numpad, after which the desert wallpaper, completely matched with the clock off to the facet. If there’s one factor I’ve picked up on from trawling r/battlestations, it is that I really want a classy clock on my desk.
SkweezyJibsss’ setup actually leans into the extra rustic look wooden can assist, together with a pleasant potted pothos plant, the framed work and the uncovered bulb lamp. The professional touches listed here are the customized wooden wrist relaxation for the keyboard and the wooden paneled Edifier audio system (all it is actually lacking is a laser-cut wooden PC case). I can solely hope that there is a leather-based smoking chair simply out of body.
Get artistic and decide a theme
Apart from some shade coordination, I haven’t got a theme at my desk—my GameCube organizer and little Mario figures do not precisely gel with the Area Runaway Ideon poster on my wall. However Redditor Distinquish affords an incredible instance of the right way to tie collectively an entire desk thematically with the Lego Saturn V rocket and framed SpaceX artwork deco posters. Even the Ikea orb lamps match the planetary vibe. The colour coordination is on level, too, between the desk plant and the foresty wallpaper. And having sufficient desk house for a cat? Main bonus factors.
Take into consideration the remainder of your room, too
Whether or not your desk is in your bed room or lounge or workplace, take into consideration how one can combine it, and your PC, with its environment. Here is a very nice room from Redditor CuPc8K3, who clearly thought of a broader aesthetic than my measly combo of white desk and white PC case. Take a look at the whole lot happening right here:
- Yellow and teal are the first colours for the room, proper right down to the carpet. CuPc8K3 even cited a particular shade palette as inspiration.
- The chair, wallpaper, framed sound diffuser, typewriter, painted wall, sofa throw pillow, one of many Future figures and the PC’s entrance panel LED all match
- The yellow curtains and sofa do a pleasant job of balancing the colour on all sides of the room
- The symmetrical cabinets are simply rattling good to take a look at
- The grey-blue desk drawers are an in depth match for the wall paint and mix in effectively
- Canine!
Put this type of effort into the realm round your desk and you will get pleasure from spending time in your gaming house that rather more.
