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As a college student, I know how much time we spend at our desks!

I truly believe that taking the time to decorate and organize your workspace can make a big difference when it comes to staying focused, motivated, and productive.

Minimal desk setups are not only super aesthetically pleasing, but the lack of clutter can do wonders when it comes to staying focused.

In today’s post, I’m sharing minimal desk setups ideal for a college student looking to put together the perfect workspace in their dorm room or other small space.

These ideas balance the best of aesthetics and functionality.

I’ve included ideas from a variety of different styles and aesthetics, so whether you like more of a boho, danish pastel, korean, girly, kawaii, modern, or neutral vibe, you’re sure to find the perfect idea in the post.

I’ll also be sharing my best tips and finds to recreate these desk setups in your space.

If you love these ideas, you can save them directly to Pinterest by using the red “save” button in the upper left hand corner of each image!

So, here are the best ideas for an aesthetic and minimal desk setup.

Minimal Desk Setup #1:

minimal desk setups — *Source:* *pinterest.com*

This first minimal desk idea is heavily danish pastel inspired, so if you love that aesthetic you’ll love this setup as well.

To get this look for your own desk, start with a simple white desk.

Then, start filling in your space with pastel colored decor and desk accessories.

Use colors like light pink, yellow, blue, and purple to to get the ultimate danish pastel look.

Another common trend with danish pastel decor is the use of seashell textures and shapes!

You’ll notice this in the inspiration image in the seashell candle, trinket trays, and the shell-like texture on the lamp shade.

If you love that look, definitely use similar pieces in your own desk setup!

To rock this desk idea, you’ll definitely want to include some aesthetic art prints to place on the wall or bulletin board above your desk.

There are so many things you can do with art prints! Some people love displaying positive quotes and affirmations that help them stay motivated when working.

Others love assembling an aesthetic vision board to help them visualize their goals.

You can even just put up pretty pictures or photos of your friends and family. However you decorate, have fun and express your style!

If you’re looking for more ideas on specifically danish pastel desk decor, I highly suggest checking out my post on exactly that where I share more gorgeous inspiration images, decor tips, and finds to use for your desk.

Minimal Desk Setup #2:

This next minimalist desk idea is perfect for those who want to incorporate a natural, floral vibe into their workspace.

Take note of the beautiful wood accents and decor pieces in the photo above.

I’m absolutely loving simple arch computer stand this person uses. It gives your desk a minimal, clean, airy, and modern feel.

There are certain essentials every workspace should have. A desktop or laptop stand is one of them!

Raising your computer screen while you work is so much more comfortable for your neck and back, especially if you have a lot of long work or study sessions.

I’d definitely suggest checking out adjustable computer stands so you can customize the height at which your screen sits at to maximize your comfort.

You can find a ton of these on Amazon, which is where I’ve always gotten mine from.

You can also find stands for other devices like tablets and phones. Having a phone stand is especially convenient if you take a lot of calls and meetings at your desk.

On the decor side of things, if you’re loving the vibe of this second idea, you’ll want to find a simple wood desk and make use of fake (or real) plants.

Cute little succulents and flowers will make beautiful additions to your desk decor that will make your desk a much prettier and more appealing place to be productive.

Minimal Desk Setup #3:

Next in this post on minimalist desk setups is another idea perfect for anyone who loves incorporating wood into their decor.

This setup beautifully makes use of light wood furniture and decor for a natural and airy feel.

Using light colors in your furniture and decor is a great way to really open up your space, especially for students living in a dorm.

To recreate this desk setup, you’ll want to use a light colored desk and make use of fake plants and succulents with an airy feel to them.

Having a bulletin board is another great idea to help keep your workspace organized!

If your desk doesn’t have any drawers, making use of a bulletin board to pin important papers where they won’t get lost is extremely helpful!

You can also use it to keep important dates and reminders front and center to keep yourself on track and help set yourself up for success.

For lighting, a simple white desk lamp will work beautifully with the rest of your theme.

Other cute decor you can use include mini flag banners, plant stands, and aesthetic photo collages for your bulletin board.

Minimal Desk Setup #4:

Here’s a simple setup that’s heavily Instagram inspired. If you love gorgeous neutral tones, this one is for you!

This desk setup combines a simple elegant look with sleek and trendy decor like wood mirrors, flowers, and ferns to give this workspace some life.

If you’re wanting to model your desk after this idea, use a light colored desk as your base.

Then, place your desktop or laptop in the center and fill in the remaining space with your decor and desk accessories.

But of course, don’t overfill the space, as we’re going for a more minimalistic look!

I personally love the idea of keeping a mirror on your desk. It looks pretty, but it’s also convenient.

If you live in a dorm, chances are your desk doubles as a vanity table/getting ready station every morning.

Why not keep some of your morning essentials like a mirror on hand for when you’re getting ready and for quick check ups throughout the day?

Plants are another great way to open up your workspace, especially if your desk is in a darker corner like this one.

It’s a great chance to choose some beautiful vases and planters that match your theme and will take your desk decor from drab to Instagram worthy.

Minimalist Desk #5:

For what’s probably the most minimalist desk idea on this list:

You have a simple wood desk with lots of open space and not much decor other than a fake candle, trinket tray, and some aesthetic stationary.

If you’ve been looking for inspiration to help you create an ultra minimalist look that’s not boring and is super aesthetic, this one is great for inspiration.

A simple setup like this is ideal for anyone living in a dorm or other small space who may not want to overcrowd their desk with decor, stationary, organizers, and more.

I’m loving the cozy vibes the electric candle brings to this setup.

If you love the look of candles but your dorm doesn’t allow them (I was in the same boat not long ago), fake candles are a perfect solution.

You won’t get those heavenly aromas like with real candles, but you’ll still be able to enjoy warm and cozy vibes in a safe way that’s compliant with your dorm’s rules.

If you love when your space smells good (who doesn’t) you can always use things like air fresheners that plug into your wall, essential oil diffusers, or air fresheners in a spray bottle.

In general, fake candles are look beautiful and you can even find ones with flickering “flames” that still look super realistic and generate a beautiful and relaxing ambiance in your workspace.

Outro & Closing Thoughts

So, that wraps up my list of 5 aesthetic and minimal desk setups.

I shared my top tips when it comes to styling and recreating these looks as well as some of my favorite desk recommendations for anyone looking to put together these ideas themselves.

Simple, minimal desks like these are ideal for college students looking to arrange their desks in a way that’s organized and still looks aesthetic.

I hope you loved the ideas in this post and that I was able to give you some great inspiration for your desk.

Happy decorating and good luck to all of the college students out there!

Thanks for reading my post “5 Minimal Desk Setups Perfect For Your Dorm Room.”

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5 Minimal Desk Setups Perfect For Your Dorm Room