For even the most casual of gamers, having a dedicated space that creates a good gaming atmosphere and functionality is incredibly important. This means having a space that reduces the friction of starting a gaming session, as well as a ritual-like feeling of putting the headphones on, dimming the lights, adjusting the chair and connecting with friends.
With study and work being done from home, it’s increasingly common that our bedroom has to serve as three functions: Work/study, gaming and sleep. While it’s not ideal, it’s a reality for millions who have no other choice due to the home they’re in. So, how do we go about designing a bedroom for the ultimate gamer?
The command center
The desk and chair are at the heart of your gaming experience. It’s an old adage that we should spend money on things that separates us from the ground: Shoes, tyres, mattress, and chairs.
The chair is important for a few reasons. Firstly, it needs to be comfortable enough to enjoy playing games. In fact, it should be invisible when playing, so the immersion isn’t taken away. This is quite personal, and constantly having to readjust your sitting position is a sign that it’s not working. To fix this, look for features like 4D armrests and good-quality foam.
Next is the ergonomics, which is what drives posture problems and pains from long sessions. This means finding a chair that can be adjusted so your knees and elbows are flat, 90 degree angles, and the incline and lower lumbar support is sufficient.
Finally, the chair’s aesthetic must fit within the room itself. A classically designed room with heavy wooden furniture wouldn’t suit a modern gaming chair, and instead a leather office chair may be better. But, a gaming chair can suit the aesthetic of a modern bedroom that has minimalism and LED lighting.
When it comes to the choice of desk, these three considerations are no different. However, there should be extra considerations for durability, which is where the surface material is important. Integrated cable management can help achieve a clean look too, and helps transition more easily to work or study, because everything is already in its place. A KVM switch can make it quick to switch a keyboard, mouse and HDMI to a separate device (e.g., if you have a school laptop and gaming desktop).
Why your bed matters
The physiological toll of gaming shouldn’t be underestimated. Playing for hours into the night, even on the most ergonomic of chairs, is less than ideal for our bodies (which are designed for standing, walking, and constantly moving).
So, the medicine here is going to be in the recovery. Stretching and yoga are a given, but in terms of bedroom design, it all comes down to choosing the right beds. A supportive mattress can be make or break for how our bodies align, and when chosen correctly, can relieve pressure points in a way that many of the strains from gaming are undone. It’s also for this reason that the bed should take center stage, not the desk.
The bed frame is a decision around aesthetic, material and size. For smaller rooms with limited space, you can get more out of your gaming set-up by downsizing to a small double or even single bed – no ergonomics is compromised. A metal frame can provide a lightweight look, which goes well with LEDs and modern acoustic panels. For those with space and storage issues, having an Ottoman bed can make a drastic difference in decluttering a room.
If you enjoy gaming on a large TV, it might be worth considering switching to a sofa bed. This way, you can sit comfortably on a sofa when playing on the TV, and simply pull out the bed for evening – this helps provide a demarcation between sleep and play, because it avoids playing games in bed.
Ambiance and lighting
Lighting is a culturally important tool for lots of gamers in creating an immersive environment that also reduces visual fatigue. The objective is to achieve a balance between atmospheric and functional illumination. Smart lighting systems are useful as they can be controlled from the PC itself (or mobile apps), and even automated, like when turning on the gaming laptop – the lights change colour slightly. This can also trick the brain into getting into habits of focus, where your work/study lighting is different.
The placement of LED strips can create bias lighting behind monitors, which reduces eye strain that’s caused by the stark contrast between of a bright screen in a dark room (known as the Troxler effect).
Blackout curtains can also eliminate external light pollution and reflections, which is better for eye health and migraine sufferers. It also allows you to be fully in control of the mood of the room.
Storage and organization
Beyond the Ottomon bed, there are some other storage considerations for a gaming bedroom. Ideally, it begins with some planning, meaning that items are stored by category (e.g., gaming and PC stuff in one box, separate from your personal bedside drawer or stationery cupboard).
Storage solutions are the best way of decluttering, and this is the most useful tool for keeping a clean room – like consumables (sweet wrappers) stand out and aren’t mixed in with spare mice and HDMI leads.
Wall-mounted shelving can work well with the minimalist aesthetic, and display cases are ideal for showcasing collectibles or physical game copies. This is a way to turn your stored gaming items into showpieces and ornaments.
Personal touches
Functionality and ergonomics are a good base, but the most important thing is to make it your own. This is where small touches, like planting sentimental stickers over your desktop chassis, or having a gifted 3D print of your favorite Rocket League car on the desk. The color of your walls and furniture, or choice of textiles, are your own personal expressions – but just be sure to think ahead in how it will all look together.
