Intro
Ok so you’ve bitten the bullet and shelled out the money for a pc. Now it’s time to get into the fun part: building your set up. We’ve all seen those GORGEOUS gaming builds on Pinterest. The ones with pastel pink everything. The cottagecore themed builds seemed that seemed to have been grown from the ground. Or even the goth gaming builds that would even make Dracula’s wives salivate. This post is going to help you understand how to create a set up that you will love. No matter what your style choose aesthetic gaming accessories.
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The Basics
Before you start purchasing products there are a few questions that you will need to answer. These are:
- What will you be using this set up for?
- Do you have a specific style in mind?
- Is there a specific budget that you have to stay within?
What will you be using this set up for?
If you’re working from home, will you want a space that inspires productivity? Are you a type A personality that likes to have everything done yesterday? Or do you want a space to relax and unwind? Will you be playing video games on this pc? Or will it be for multiuse? Taking these aspects into consideration will help you get the most out of your set up for its intended purpose.
What kind of style do you want for your set up?
Are you the type that likes everything pastel and covered in anime characters? Or are you more of a cottagecore moss covered everything type? Do you sleep in a coffin and want everything gothic and covered in black lace? Or do you want a mix of more than one aesthetic? (such as cottagecore and dark academia)? Or are you looking for a cozy space to curl up in while you play cozy games? Understanding this will help you know what aesthetic to look out for. This will also help you when it comes to shopping around for products and staying in budget.
What’s Your Budget?
By far the most unfun part of the PC set up decorating process is considering your budget. Now, of course you will want to keep your budget in mind as you go shopping for items . But there are ways around not having thousands of dollars to spend on cool or custom pieces.
You will want to make this set up your own by being creative with the pieces that you acquire. Instead of buying a $400 dollar monitor try looking for a tv in a thrift store. In fact, this is a good idea in general as TVs tend to have more HDMI ports. This makes your screen more usable for wide screen play if you want to plug in a console . TVs also tend to have a higher resolution for a cheaper price as opposed to traditional monitors.
Be sure to keep an eye out for products that are not necessarily labelled for “gaming” or “desk set ups”. I recommend glancing over the kid’s section of Amazon or Target for cute aesthetic accessories for your set up. You can find things like cute night lights that double as mood lamps, Sanrio themed characters, and other aesthetic items that may not come to mind through common Googling channels.
Craft stores also usually have plenty of gems and be sure to check the seasonal section for aesthetic items as well. Gothic decor can be found among the Halloween decorations as can cottagecore during the spring time. The main goal is to remember to think outside the box when building your set up.
Peripherals
The first element of your PC that you will want to consider are the screen, keyboard, headset or speakers, and mouse. These types of PC items are referred to as peripherals and are mandatory for any set up. You can get a lot of aesthetic leg work out of these pieces before you even decide on decor pieces for your set up.
Screens
The first aspect of your PC is to look at a screen. You can have one or more screens for your build and it’s a good idea to think about how many you will need before starting purchasing. The most popular is two but some people prefer to have even more.
While color choices for screens can be few and far between you can still find ones that may still fit your aesthetic. You can also find screens that have RGB lights that you can change to whatever color you want to fit your color scheme. If you’re a bit more confident with a can of spray paint you could also try customizing your screen, or any other peripheral piece, through the power of DIY. Just make sure that you’re careful and that you don’t damage any important parts of the piece while trying to enact your vision.
Keyboards
Another aspect to think about is keyboards. By far the most customizable of the peripheral categories keyboards come in varying shapes, sizes, and colors. There are two types of keyboards which are called membrane and mechanical.
Membrane keyboards have keys that are all on the same layer while mechanical has keys that all have separate points on the board. Membrane keyboards tend to be more affordable and come in an array of different color schemes so these can be a good cheaper option when building your first PC.
Mechanical is more customizable and has a more accurate typing experience that makes them more popular with gamers. What makes them so customizable is that you can swap out the key caps to change up the look of the keyboard. However, mechanical boards are more expensive and can be a bit of an investment. Make sure you do your research and understand what type of keyboard you are looking for so that you get the most out of your keyboard experience.
Headsets and Speakers
The headset or speakers is another important aspect of your build and one that has an array of options. Having a headset is a popular choice and can be a good idea depending on how you intend to use your audio. Headsets do provide an in-depth audio experience and can-do wonders for those who are going to be using their computer for intense audio listening such as video editing, music recording, or gaming.
Another option is to get speakers for your PC if you don’t like the idea of having a headset. There are even some people who prefer to use a microphone and speakers as opposed to using a headset with a built-in microphone.
If you do decide to go with a headset you will have to choose between a Bluetooth or corded headset. Bluetooth headsets are nice as they are cordless but there can sometimes be a lag if the connection between the headset and the PC starts to act up. This could be a problem for gamers as it can make multiplayer mode a bit taxing if you can’t communicate with your teammates.
Corded headsets are nice because Bluetooth connectivity is not often a problem but can be an issue for cable management. In any case, how you want to do your audio set up is up to you and be sure to look into the various options at your disposal.
Looking for a new headset for your gaming build? Check out my review on the Razer Kraken Quartz headset here.
Mice
The last peripheral to discuss is the mouse. Just like with headsets there are two types of mice (mouses?) which are Bluetooth and corded. A Bluetooth mouse is a nice option because there are no annoying cords to worry about when trying to navigate around your set up. They also come in an array of cute styles and are often very affordable.
However, just like with Bluetooth headsets you may experience lag at any given time. Again, this is something to keep in mind, especially for users such as gamers who know that one wrong move in a game could cost you. Decide on what you will be using your mouse for ahead of time and try to find a mouse that fits your budget to get the most out of your purchase.
Choosing Aesthetic Gaming Accessories
Now it’s time for the fun part in choosing aesthetic accessories. Once you’ve decided on your peripherals it’s time to build around those pieces so that you can personalize your space. As stated above this is YOUR set up and you should have fun with the process of infusing your space with your own aesthetic style. While this is mainly a creative process keep reading for a few ideas to get the creative juices flowing.
Flowers
One of the main ways that you can spruce up your desk is through fake flowers and foliage. Have a cute pink anime build? Try putting fake cherry blossom branches into a cute vase or around your mic’s arm stand. Want something more cottagecore? Switch up the flowers to leaves and have them cascade down the back of your wall or have them climbing around your monitors. Want something a bit darker? Try black roses or peonies for a stunning black bouquet. This is a tip that you could really get creative with and can fit any aesthetic.
Lighting
There are so many ways that you could choose to light up your space. Candles and lamps are a good way to go as are mood lights. Fairy lights are an adorable way to create ambience and can easily have other things weaved through the wires such as vines.
If you want lighting that packs a bit more punch, consider looking into RGB threads as those you can attach to any surface to create a once person rave in your room. Attach them around the edge of your desk, along your monitors, under your bed, or you could shape them into a design on your wall. Neon signs are also a cool option, and these can range from super cheap to super expensive. As mentioned above, mood lights are also an option and are galaxy projectors.
Organization
Another way to personalize your space is through your organization such as using peg boards, headset holders, phone chargers, pen holders, and other creative means through which to organize your desk. Using mugs or other containers for pencils and pens is one way to personalize your space.
Another option is cute cabinets and containers for your various needs. One way to maximize space and to keep things organized is through a monitor stand. This lifts your monitor an inch or two off the desk, giving you more space for your set up. Craft stores will often have cute containers such as small chests for holding items. Containers that are usually used for makeup are also usually very aesthetically pleasing to place on your desk.
Artwork
Don’t sleep on the power of artwork. Having art that you like up on your walls can elevate a desk set up to something magical. Looking on Amazon for aesthetic wall hangings is one idea, and don’t be afraid to branch out to other sources. Check our Redbubble, Society 6, and Etsy for art that fits your aesthetic as well as your budget.
This is a good chance for you to get a unique piece that you love and for the artist to make some money. Check our local artists as well and try to see if there are any creators in your area that are making something that you would be interested in. These sites are also a good way to find unique decor as well as many interesting pieces that can be used to jazz up any desk set up. If you use these channels, you’re sure to find something that you will enjoy looking at while using your set up.
Conclusion
Whatever your style, creating a space you love is a personal and fun experience. It can be daunting trying to settle on an aesthetic that you love while also keeping it affordable. For most people building a space you love takes time and it’s important not to compare yourself to others. Understand that they had to take the time to build up their space too and their space will not look exactly the way your desk will. Create something that is uniquely you and an area that you enjoy being in. The rest will come naturally.
Looking for some new gaming accessories for your set up? Check out our review on the Razer Kraken Quartz headset.
Joy says
Nothing like have a space that works for you! Thank you. I love the idea of having a lovely space to be. It just lifts my mood.
Seraphim says
Wonderful! it’s nice to know that you enjoyed my article