Choosing a gaming bed for a teenager is about more than finding one that looks the part. As children get older, their bedroom often needs to accommodate much more than sleeping. Gaming, homework, studying, storage and relaxing can all need to happen in the same room.
A well-designed gaming bed can bring several of these functions together, providing a dedicated sleeping area alongside a gaming desk and, depending on the design, storage, shelving and space for a PC or console setup.
But with different styles and layouts available, what should you actually look for when choosing a gaming bed for a teenager?
What makes a good gaming bed for a teenager?
Teenagers tend to need more from a bed and bedroom than younger children. A small desk that was perfectly adequate a few years ago may no longer have enough room for a monitor, keyboard, mouse and other gaming equipment.
When choosing a gaming bed for a teenager, consider:
- The size and depth of the built-in desk
- Whether it is suitable for a PC or console setup
- How much storage is available
- The size and position of the sleeping area
- The overall height of the bed
- Whether there is enough room for a comfortable gaming chair
- How well the design will work as your teenager gets older
- The available space in the bedroom
- The construction and maximum user weight
- Whether the bed meets the relevant safety requirements
The right choice isn't necessarily the bed with the most features. It is the one that works with your teenager's actual gaming setup and bedroom.
Gaming bed or separate bed and desk?
One of the biggest advantages of a gaming bed is that it can combine two of the largest pieces of furniture in a teenager's bedroom.
A conventional single bed and a separate gaming desk can take up a substantial amount of floor space. A gaming high sleeper instead places the desk underneath the raised sleeping area, leaving more of the room available for other furniture and activities.
This can be particularly useful in smaller bedrooms. It can also create a much more organised gaming area, with the desk, monitor and accessories kept in one dedicated location rather than spreading across the bedroom. For teenagers who need their bedroom to work as a bedroom, gaming room and study space, this can be a particularly practical solution.
If there is plenty of floor space available, however, a separate bed and gaming desk may offer greater flexibility. It is worth considering the room as a whole before deciding — our guide on gaming bed vs separate bed & desk looks at this in more detail.
PC gaming or console gaming?
The type of gaming your teenager does should influence your choice.
Gaming beds for PC gamers
PC gaming generally requires more desk space because the setup can include a monitor (or two), keyboard and mouse, PC tower, speakers, headset, microphone, controller, charging equipment and other accessories. A deeper, wider desk can make a significant difference.
For example, the Kids Avenue Estella high sleeper has a large 196cm desktop and a raised monitor shelf, giving considerably more room for a substantial PC gaming setup. The Urban PC gaming bed is another option specifically designed around PC gaming, with a built-in desk and LED lighting.
Gaming beds for console players
Console gaming can require a slightly different setup, with space needed for a television or gaming monitor, a PlayStation or Xbox, controllers, a headset, charging station, and games and accessories.
Some gaming beds are designed specifically around console setups, with shelving and storage that can keep the console and accessories organised. The Noah high sleeper, for example, combines a raised bed with a built-in desk and monitor shelf and is specifically marketed as a console gaming bed.
Tip: think about the equipment your teenager already owns rather than buying a gaming bed based purely on its appearance. A bed that looks impressive but doesn't accommodate the actual gaming setup won't be particularly useful.
How much desk space does a teenager need?
This is one of the most important questions to ask. A desk that is large enough for a laptop and homework isn't necessarily large enough for gaming.
If your teenager uses a single monitor and relatively compact equipment, a smaller desk may be perfectly adequate. A more serious PC setup with two monitors, a large keyboard, mouse, speakers and microphone will benefit from considerably more space.
Also consider desk depth, not just width. A wide desk can still feel cramped if the monitor is positioned too close to the user. Before buying, measure the equipment you already have and consider where everything will sit, and remember that the desk also needs to leave enough room for a suitable chair and comfortable movement.
Storage becomes more important as children get older
Storage is easy to overlook when choosing a gaming bed. Teenagers accumulate plenty of things: clothes, school books, headsets, controllers, games, cables, chargers, computer accessories, collectibles and sports equipment.
A gaming bed with integrated shelves, drawers or cupboards can therefore be considerably more practical than one that simply provides a desk. Some of the larger gaming beds in the Gamers Window range take this further by combining sleeping space, gaming desk and additional storage.
The Podbed range, for example, can incorporate a desk, storage and an open wardrobe, with some versions also offering a pull-out sofabed or a larger sleeping configuration. This type of all-in-one furniture can be particularly useful where bedroom floor space is limited.
Should you choose a high sleeper gaming bed?
For many teenagers, a high sleeper gaming bed makes excellent use of vertical space. Instead of occupying separate areas of the bedroom, the sleeping area is raised above the desk, creating a dedicated space underneath for gaming, studying or other activities.
However, a high sleeper isn't automatically the right choice for every teenager. Think about:
Ceiling height
Measure from the floor to the ceiling before ordering. Your teenager needs enough comfortable space around the sleeping area, while the desk area underneath must also work properly.
Access to the bed
A high sleeper requires the user to climb a ladder or access steps to reach the sleeping platform. Consider whether your teenager is confident using the ladder and check the individual product's age guidance.
The room layout
Check where the ladder will sit and whether there is enough space to get in and out comfortably. Some of the high sleeper gaming beds have reversible ladder positions, which can make them easier to fit into different bedroom layouts — the Estella and Urban designs, for example, offer reversible ladder placement.
What about a lower gaming bed?
Not every teenager needs a high sleeper. A lower gaming bed can be preferable if the bedroom has a low ceiling, your teenager doesn't want to climb a ladder, you want easier access to the bed, the room has enough floor space, or you simply prefer a lower-profile design.
The B Zone, for example, combines a single sleeping area with a built-in desk and a large under-bed drawer that can also take a trundle mattress for guests. It therefore provides many of the advantages of a gaming bed without requiring a raised sleeping platform.
Don't forget that teenagers grow
One of the biggest mistakes when buying children's furniture is choosing something based entirely on what works right now. A teenager may be using the bed for several years, so think about whether the design will still work when they are 14, 15, 16, 17 or even older. This makes construction particularly important.
Some gaming beds are designed specifically with older teenagers and adults in mind. For example, the Estella is constructed from solid pine with MDF support rails and is described as suitable for teenagers and adults. The Urban range is similarly designed for kids, teenagers and adults.
Always check the specific product's maximum user weight and age guidance, rather than assuming that every gaming bed has the same specification — see our guide on whether a gaming bed is sturdy enough for adult use for more on this.
Gaming isn't the only thing the desk will be used for
This is particularly important when buying a gaming bed for a teenager. The desk may be used for gaming in the evening but homework and studying during the day. A good gaming desk therefore needs to be practical for both. Consider whether there is enough room for books, whether a laptop can be used alongside a monitor, whether the lighting is good, whether the chair is comfortable, and whether there's somewhere to store books and stationery without interfering with the gaming setup.
A gaming bed that doubles as a study area can potentially be much more useful than a piece of furniture designed purely around gaming.
What features are worth paying for?
Gaming beds can come with a surprisingly wide range of features. Some are genuinely useful; others may simply add to the appearance.
- Large desk — probably one of the most important features for a serious gamer.
- Monitor shelf — useful for positioning screens and freeing up space on the main desk.
- Storage — shelves, drawers and cupboards can make a big difference in a teenager's bedroom.
- LED lighting — a popular gaming feature that can add atmosphere, although it shouldn't be the main reason for choosing a particular bed.
- USB or phone charging — useful if your teenager regularly charges a phone or other equipment at their desk.
- Reversible ladder — particularly useful when bedroom layouts are awkward.
- Sofa bed or trundle guest bed — worth considering if friends regularly stay overnight and the room has enough space.
Which type of gaming bed is best for your teenager?
There isn't one gaming bed that's right for every teenager.
For a teenager with a serious PC setup
Look for a large desk with plenty of depth, good monitor positioning and room for the PC and peripherals. A dedicated PC gaming high sleeper such as the Urban is worth considering.
For a console gamer
Look for a desk or shelf arrangement that works with a console and monitor or television, with useful storage for controllers and accessories. A console-focused model such as the Noah could be a good option.
For a teenager with a small bedroom
A high sleeper gaming bed can make particularly good use of vertical space by putting the desk underneath the bed — see our guide on gaming beds for a small flat or student room for more.
For someone who needs lots of storage
Consider an all-in-one design such as a Podbed, where sleeping, gaming, storage and wardrobe space can be combined.
For someone who doesn't want a high sleeper
A lower gaming bed such as the B Zone provides a built-in gaming desk without raising the sleeping platform as high.
Are gaming beds safe for teenagers?
Safety should always be considered before choosing any raised bed. If you're buying a gaming high sleeper, check the manufacturer's recommended age, maximum user weight, guard rail design, ladder construction, mattress dimensions and maximum thickness, the relevant safety standard, the available ceiling height, and whether the bed is suitable for the intended user.
Gamers Window's raised gaming beds are designed to meet European bed safety requirements, but individual products can have different specifications, so always check the product page before ordering. For younger users, the ability to safely and confidently use the ladder is particularly important.
How much should you spend on a teenage gaming bed?
There's a fairly wide range of prices because gaming beds vary considerably in size and specification. A simpler gaming bed with a desk can provide the basic combination of sleeping and gaming space, while larger high sleepers can incorporate substantial desks, wardrobes, storage, lighting and additional sleeping or seating areas.
It's worth considering the total cost rather than simply the purchase price. A gaming bed that replaces a separate bed and desk may represent better value for a particular bedroom than buying both pieces of furniture separately. Likewise, spending more on a larger desk and stronger construction may make sense if your teenager is likely to use the furniture for several years.
Gaming Bed for a Teenager – Quick Buying Checklist
Before ordering, ask yourself:
- What type of gamer are they? PC, console or both?
- How much desk space do they need?
- How many monitors will they use?
- Where will the PC or console go?
- Do they need additional storage?
- Would a high sleeper save useful floor space?
- Is the ceiling high enough?
- Will the ladder work with the room layout?
- Will the bed still suit them as they get older?
- What is the manufacturer's maximum user weight?
- What mattress size does it require?
- Would the desk also work for homework and studying?
The best gaming bed for a teenager isn't necessarily the biggest or most elaborate model. It is the one that fits the bedroom, accommodates their equipment and provides enough space for sleeping, gaming and studying as they grow.
Find the right gaming bed for your teenager
Gamers Window has a range of gaming beds for teenagers, including lower gaming beds and high sleeper designs with built-in desks, storage and features for both PC and console gaming, as well as a range of standalone gaming desks.
For smaller bedrooms, a high sleeper can make particularly efficient use of vertical space, while larger all-in-one designs can combine a bed, gaming desk, storage and wardrobe in a single piece of furniture.
Browse our range of gaming beds to compare the different designs and find the configuration that best suits your teenager's room and gaming setup.