If you’re working a full-time job and living in a small apartment or room, creating a safe space to enjoy your games can feel overwhelming. But with the right approach, you don’t need a whole room to have a setup you’re comfortable with.
Here are 7 small-space gaming setup ideas that helped me unwind after work, without needing a full studio or big budget.
1. Use a Corner Desk with Wall Mounts
Maximize vertical space by using a corner desk and mounting your monitor on the wall. It opens up your desk for controllers, snacks, and that RGB goodness.
Check out how Tyler Fielding used a small nook to build a clean, wall-mounted gaming setup with shelf storage.
2. Choose a Compact Keyboard and Mouse
A TKL keyboard (Tenkeyless) or 60% keyboard can save space and still look clean. Pair it with a wireless mouse to reduce clutter.
Check out Hyperion’s workspace below—clean, bright, and optimized for small desks with a compact keyboard and minimal cables.
3. Go for Headsets Over Speakers
Headsets save space and avoid disturbing your family or neighbors. You can choose to display your headset via a wall mount or a stand or on a shelf for easy access.
This setup makes great use of vertical space by placing the headset on a mounted shelf hook. It’s easy to reach and keeps the desk totally clutter-free.
4. Light It Right
Even with limited space, good lighting makes a huge difference. Consider:
- RGB strips behind the desk
- A small LED lamp
- Ambient lights you can control with your phone
This concept from Griff Gaming uses LED strips tucked under wall shelves to create a layered lighting effect—perfect for evening gaming sessions without taking up extra space.
5. Wall Pegboards for Storage and Style
A pegboard lets you hang your controllers, headphones, and other gear.
Bonus: it looks great in photos and is totally Pinterest-worthy—just like this setup from Vasil Indzhov. The pegboard holds controllers, headphones, and other gear without cluttering the desk.
You can even use small hooks or shelves to hang handheld consoles, action figures, or tiny plants to match your style.
6. Hide Your Wires
Velcro straps, cable boxes, and adhesive hooks can instantly make your setup feel cleaner and less stressful to use.
Even if you have a wired setup, smart routing and hiding cables behind the monitor or desk edge can instantly level up your space.
Edwin Tang’s setup is a great example of clean cable management in action. With barely any wires in sight, the desk looks sleek and stress-free—perfect for both work and gaming.
7. Use What You Already Have
My first setup used an old table, my work chair, and a secondhand monitor. Start with what you’ve got. Aesthetic setups grow over time.
This setup from Gaming Soon is simple, clean, and built on everyday items—a reminder that a good gaming or work space doesn’t have to start perfect. It just needs to start.
You don’t need the “ultimate setup” to enjoy your favorite games after work. Whether you’ve got a small desk in the corner or a hand-me-down monitor, what matters most is that the space works for you.
My own setup started with mismatched furniture and random cables everywhere. But over time, it evolved. Yours will too.
So don’t wait for perfect. Start with what you have. Play your games. Enjoy your space.
— And hey, if this helped you even just a little bit, save it to Pinterest or share it with a fellow 9-to-5 gamer who needs a setup that actually fits real life.