How to choose the right gaming desk

Setting up a gaming desk is a bit different to setting up a home office desk. While you still need space for your computer and monitors, you also need to consider other factors that are going to impact your gaming experience. 

What other equipment do you need? How should your desk be positioned to limit the amount of light on your display? Will your desk be used for other purposes?

There is a lot to think about before you buy just any desk and try to make it fit your needs. That’s not to say that an office desk can’t be used for gaming - after all, it’s probably a cheaper option than a purpose-built gaming desk - you just need to make sure it ticks all the boxes first. 

With that in mind, here are some of the questions you need to answer before ordering a desk for gaming:

What is your budget?

No matter what you’re buying, this should always be the first question you answer. After all, there’s no point on spending hours researching in order to find the perfect gaming desk only to get to the checkout and discover that it is way over your budget. 

Setting your budget means you can be realistic about what you are likely to get, especially if you need to invest in more than a desk.

That doesn’t mean that you can’t afford a good quality desk though. We have desks available from as little as £89 - such as our Home Work range - that can be used as permanent gaming desks or serve as a stop-gap until you’re able to get your full setup.

How much space do you have?

Do you have a room specifically for gaming or do you need to fit your desk in a multi-purpose room? Knowing exactly where your desk is going to go will help you determine what size you can go for, as well as what shape your desk can be

This doesn’t just mean you need to measure how wide your gaming desk can be, you also have to consider its depth. Most standard office desks have a depth of 800ml, but you can get a bit more space without taking up loads more room by opting for a wave desk. If 800ml depth means the desk is too big, we also have some compact office desk options that could be the perfect fit. 

If you have a fair bit of room to play with and need more surface space, you can also look at what you can add to your desk. Whether it’s desk-high storage that provides you with a larger work surface or a back-to-back desk that is perfect if you need space to game and work, understanding how much space you have will help you make the right decision.

What shape desk would work best?

The shape of your desk isn’t just dependent on the amount of room you have for it, the way that you game and the way you need your desk set up will also influence it. While the standard is rectangular desks, you might find that using multiple monitors, having a keyboard and a separate number pad or any number of considerations means that rectangular isn’t the best option. 

In this case, you need to look at what other shapes are available within your budget. One of the most obvious alternatives is the corner desk, which - as the name suggests - is ideal for placing in the corner of the room. However, this type of desk is also great if you need a bit of extra surface space for gaming. 

Corner workstations allow you to make the most of the space you have but can easily be built on too by adding another desk or storage. You can easily customise your gaming desk straight away or over time in order to suit your needs, especially as we have loads of great ranges that provide desks and storage in the same colours and finishes.

Do you need any storage?

It’s unlikely that a gaming desk is the only thing you need to create the perfect setup, you’re probably going to want some form of storage too. From cables to games or even just the usual clutter that ends up your desk, storage can help you make the most of every bit of space.

You’ve also got a lot of options in terms of the type of storage available, which is ideal if you have limited space or an entire games room. You can extend your desk with desk-high drawers or cupboards, make the most of wasted space under your desk with a pedestal or make everything easily accessible with a cupboard or bookcase. 

It could be a good idea to set up your desk first so you can see exactly how much room you have and what sort of storage solution would best suit your needs. Alternatively, if you know that you need some storage straight away, you could go for a desk with drawers so you have some storage to start with. 

Does your desk need to be height-adjustable?

Is it going to benefit your gaming setup if you can adjust the height of your desk? Maybe you find it easier to play on a lower desk or you need extra room underneath your desk for your computer? Whatever the reason, the height of your desk needs to be considered, which could mean an adjustable one is the way forward. 

Adjustable desks allow you to change your setup easily and quickly to suit your gaming needs. You can either adjust them so they are always at a height that is above or below the standard office desk or you can change the height as and when you need to. 

It’s worth remembering that an adjustable desk also means you need to think more carefully about storage or any add-ons you want to include in your gaming space, as a varying desk height could affect other requirements. 

How do you want it to look?

While the look of your desk may not be super important, you still want to consider it. After all, the chances are you’ll be looking at it every day and you definitely want it to work with the rest of your decor. 

On top of these factors, the finish of your desk will need to be hardwearing and suitable for how you game. For example, you want a smooth finish if you don’t like using a mousemat. 

Luckily, we have desks for gaming available in a huge range of colours and finishes, so you can easily find one that looks great and suits your needs. From the bright colours of our Kaleidoscope collection to the sophisticated finishes available from our Carbon office desks, we’ve got plenty of finishes to choose from.

Still need help?

If you’re having trouble finding the right gaming desk for you or have questions about anything from finishes to delivery, we can help. Get in touch with our customer service team by calling us on 0800 8044 760 or sending an email to help@bluespotfurniture.co.uk and we’ll do our best to help.