I don't know if this is the right forum to ask this but:

Is there a way to make the icons on the destop behave like a list?
That is:
- Filename to the right of the icon
- Padding between icons reduced
- The name on the right can extend as far as needed, allowing the whole filename in one line

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/Skyfox01/Desktop_ListView_zpsea832843.png

That's kinda a rough image showing something of what I'm after.

Is that possible to do? (without having to code anything myself)

No. This is the layout used only when the plasmoid is on panel.

Bummer.

Oh well, thanks for letting me know.