Guide · Kids' beds
Beds with desks: a study-ready kids' bedroom
Homework, art projects and, later, study for the Junior and Leaving Cert all need a proper surface. A bed with a built-in desk gives a child a study space without giving up floor space.
Two ways to get a desk under the bed
- High sleeper with a fixed desk underneath: the bed is on top, the desk below, often with shelving. Best for a small room where floor space is tight. Suitable from 6 (high beds carry the EN 747 warning that they're not suitable for under-6s), and usually bought for older children.
- Cabin bed with a pull-out desk: the desk slides out from the base when needed. Lower, so it can suit a slightly younger child; check the age guidance on the product page.
What to check before you buy
- Ceiling height: compare it with the bed's overall height so your child can sit up in bed.
- Headroom at the desk: your child should be able to sit and stand at the desk without ducking. Check the clearance under the bed on the product page.
- Desk width and depth: enough for a laptop or a school book opened flat.
- Light: the bed above shades the desk, so plan a desk lamp and a socket nearby.
- Mattress depth: as on any raised bed, use a mattress no thicker than the maximum marked on the bed. See kids' and bunk bed mattresses.
Setting up a good homework space
- A chair at the right height for the desk, with feet flat on the floor (use a footrest if not).
- Keep the screen at roughly eye level and an arm's length away for laptops and monitors.
- Somewhere to put school bags and books away at the end of the day helps the bed area feel like a place to rest.
- Screens off well before bed: the HSE advises putting phones and tablets away at least an hour before bedtime. More in our sleep tips.
More options
See also cabin, mid and high sleepers explained.
Common questions
What age is a high sleeper with a desk for?
High sleepers are raised beds, so they must carry the EN 747 warning that they are not suitable for children under 6. Beds with desks are most often bought for children from around 8 up to teenagers.
Will a high sleeper with a desk fit in a box room?
Often, yes, because the desk sits under the bed instead of beside it. Check the bed footprint and overall height on the product page against your room and ceiling.
Keep reading
All guides & quizzes- Kids' bedsKids' bunk beds in Ireland: a parent's safety guideBuying a bunk bed in Ireland? What EN 747 means, the age 6 rule for the top bunk, mattress depth, guard rails, ceiling height and set-up tips.
- Kids' bedsCabin beds, mid sleepers & high sleepers explainedThe difference between cabin beds, mid sleepers and high sleepers, which ages suit each, ceiling height, mattresses and how to choose for an Irish box room.
- Kids' bedsKids' beds by age: from first big bed to teen roomWhich bed suits your child at each age: toddler and floor beds, first single beds, cabin beds and bunks from 6, then high sleepers and teen beds.
- Kids' bedsBeds for shared kids' bedrooms: bunks, triples & trundlesTwo or three children sharing a bedroom? Compare bunk beds, triple bunks, L-shaped bunks and trundle beds by age, floor space and ceiling height.
- Kids' bedsMattresses for kids' beds & bunk bedsHow to choose a mattress for a child's bed, bunk bed or high sleeper: the maximum thickness rule, sizes in cm, small single and shorty, and feel.
- Kids' bedsToddler beds & Montessori floor bedsMoving your toddler from a cot: toddler beds vs Montessori floor beds, mattress sizes, guard rails, room safety and making the move go smoothly.
Free delivery on orders of €250 or more to the Republic of Ireland.