For decades, if you walked into a classroom you’d see neat rows of desks and each student facing forward, ready for lecture.  

 

While that setup had its place (and sometimes still does), most of today’s classrooms look very different. Learning is more hands-on, discussion-based and team-oriented. It’s common for activities to switch from direct instruction to group activities all in the same day. 

 

Why the shift? Well, there’s research that proves collaborative learning is more effective than the traditional learning most of us are familiar with. In fact, a meta-analysis of 225 STEM courses found that students in active, collaborative classrooms not only scored 6% higher on exams, but were also far less likely to fail than those in lecture-only settings. 

 

So if collaborative learning drives student success, the next question is: how do you support it? A big part of the answer lies in the classroom setup – especially the desks students use every day. The right ones make it easier to switch between individual and group work.  

 

There’s a wide range of desks that can be great for collaborative learning, including high-pressure laminate (HPL) desks. But when it comes to balancing between cost, durability and flexibility, there’s one type that has always stood out: hard plastic desks.  

 

What Is a Hard Plastic Desk? 

A hard plastic desk is made with a solid plastic top designed to resist dents, scratches and moisture. It’s a single, dense material that offers excellent long-term durability at a budget-friendly price.  

 

The Benefits of Hard Plastic Desks 

 

1. Long-Term Durability 

We all know that classroom furniture takes a beating every day. Students lean, write, stack textbooks and sometimes treat their desks as makeshift drum kits. Hard plastic desks are built to handle all of it! 

Our Legacy Hard Plastic Desk, reintroduced by popular demand, is designed to last for decades – just like the ones educators remember from their own school days. Unlike some surfaces that show wear quickly, hard plastic tops resist scratches, dents and moisture, making a great choice when you’re in the market for durable school desks.  

 

2. Collaborative Top Options 

Modern hard plastic desks, like ours, feature top shapes that support collaboration. Our Legacy Hard Plastic Desk has the following top options:  

 

• Plymouth II Desk 

A rectangular top with an ergonomic front curve for comfort that can be rearranged in several different configurations for individual or group work.  

• Connect 4 Desk

A triangular top specifically designed to “connect” up to four desks to create a collaborative workgroup setting. You can also push two desks together for two-student group work, or keep them separated for individual work if needed.  

3. Lightweight and Easy To Move 

Ever try to rearrange a classroom and the furniture was over-the-top heavy?  

 

We definitely have, and it makes transitions longer and eats into time that could have been spent on learning.  And this is another reason why hard plastic is a top choice for collaboration.  Our Legacy Hard Plastic Desks, paired with our EON legs, are a lightweight choice (even lighter than HPL) that can be equipped with glides or casters. That means teachers and students can shift without the hassle, making collaborative learning easier!

  

4. Multi-Functional Surfaces 

Writable tops have become a favorite tool in active classrooms, turning every desk into a brainstorming surface.  

 

Our Legacy Hard Plastic Desk offers a smooth top that also doubles as a dry-erase surface – perfect for solving math problems, sketching ideas or planning group projects.  

 

And the small details, like pencil grooves, keep writing tools handy and off the floor.  

 5. Budget-Friendly Investment 

When it comes down to it, schools need to operate within their designated budget. That means the furniture they choose often has to stretch dollars as far as possible.  

 

Hard plastic desks provide long-term durability without the higher cost of some other surfaces. They’re a dependable choice for districts looking for value that doesn’t sacrifice performance. And because they last, the replacement cycle is longer. This helps schools save money in the long run.  

 

6. Flexible Options 

Every collaborative classroom is different. A desk that may work well in one space might not work so well in another. That’s why it’s important to choose a student desk that has a variety of customization options to meet your needs. 

 

Our Legacy Hard Plastic Desk has a variety of flexible options, including: 

• Top shapes: Plymouth II and Connect 4 

• Finish options: Grey Nebula and Hardrock Maple 

• Storage add-ons (like book boxes, available Summer 2026) 

• Height-adjustability to adapt to different age groups 

• Glide or casters 

 

This level of customization ensures that the desks can serve a variety of spaces and teaching styles. 

 

Ready To Upgrade Your Student Desks? 

Collaboration, flexibility and durability are must-haves in today’s classrooms. Hard plastic desks have proven they can handle the task.  

 

They’re definitely not the only option – HPL desks, tables and even cabinets all play a role in balanced classroom design. But when schools need a desk that adapts to every grade level, lasts for decades and helps schools stay within their budget, hard plastic remains a smart choice.  

 

Want to see how the Legacy Hard Plastic Desk could work for your school? Get a quote today and lock in pricing for the next school year.  

Football. Basketball. Baseball. They’ve had the school spotlight for decades.  

 

But, there’s a new sport on campus – one that’s filling seats, boosting engagement and redefining what it means to be part of a team.  

 

Welcome to esports.  

 

Since 2018, over 8,600 high schools already launched esports teams. On the college side, esports also gained serious traction. As of late 2022, over 270 colleges and universities in the U.S. had varsity esports programs.   

 

Plus, the global esports market is valued at $2.22 billion as of 2024, and is projected to reach $6.51 billion by 2029. It’s clear that esports labs are more than a fad – it’s here to stay. 

 

So What Exactly is Esports?  

Esports is competitive video gaming at an organized level. Players go head-to-head in tournaments, either online or in person, playing popular games like Overwatch 2, Smite, Super Smash Bros and Rocket League. It’s recognized as a legitimate sport by many organizations, and some universities even hand out scholarships to players. 

 

Esports labs provide the physical space for this competition – a place where students can practice, strategize and compete in a game-ready environment.  

 

Why Start an Esports Program (& Build an Esports Lab)?  

Here’s what esports brings to your school: 

• Skills that transfer to careers: Students develop problem-solving abilities, computational thinking, teamwork, communication, leadership and strategic thinking under pressure. These skills are exactly what employers are looking for, no matter the career path.  

• Accessibility and inclusion: Esports opens the door for everyone. Students with disabilities, those who aren’t into traditional sports and students of all genders can compete on equal ground. Because most matches happen online, even rural schools can participate without the burden of travel. 

• Higher engagement: Schools report increased attendance, improved academic performance and stronger student engagement. Esports creates community and belonging for students who might otherwise remain disconnected from school activities. 

• Tangible opportunities: Esports helps students develop technical know-how that can lead to careers in IT, design or media. Competitive players can earn scholarships, and those interested in broadcasting or production can gain hands-on experience behind the scenes. 

Getting Started 

The first step to esports design is creating a space that works for your players. Designing an esports arena is similar to designing a football stadium – you need function, but you also want to wow visitors and show off that team spirit. 

 

We’ve designed several esports arenas, and we’ve learned a thing or two along the way. Here are the questions you need to answer before hitting the ground running. 

 

1. What vibe are you going for?  

The look and feel of your esports lab set the stage for the whole experience. Here are some factors you should think about: 

 

• Purpose: What will the space be used for? Will it be used for gaming tournaments or casual gaming sessions? Will it be a multipurpose space that will be used for more than just esports?  

• Audience: Who will be using the space? A space for middle schoolers might feel bright and fun, while a high school or college lab could lean darker and more polished. 

• Lighting: Lighting plays a big role too. LED strips or color-changing lights can give the room that classic “gaming” feel while still being functional. 

• Colors: Darker colors with pops of bright colors are popular for esports arenas. However, you can also use a specific color scheme that aligns with your school colors, team colors or the games that will be played in the space. 

• Esports furniture and decor: The furniture and decor should complement the chosen style. Industrial-style furniture can work well for an esports room, but you can also incorporate gaming-inspired decor like posters, figurines and other collectibles. 

 

2. Will the room be a multipurpose space?

Ask this question early on in the esports design process. While many esports labs are often established in multipurpose rooms, yours might have a designated space. This seemingly minor yet crucial detail can significantly influence the layout and design of the area. 

 

If your lab will serve multiple programs, you’ll have access to more funding opportunities. For example, schools can often apply for CTE grants especially – those related to drafting, IT or cybersecurity – since these programs use similar high-performance computers and technology. Aligning your lab with other curriculum areas not only strengthens your funding opportunities but also ensures the space stays active and valuable throughout the school day.

 

3. How will you fund your esports lab? 

Budget is one of the most important factors to consider when creating an esports lab. Between computers, furniture, networking equipment and design elements, costs can add up quickly. Fortunately, there are several ways schools can offset expenses and make their esports vision a reality: 

• CTE and STEM grants: As mentioned earlier, grants are a great place to start. Because esports often ties into technology, IT and drafting programs, these funding sources can help cover the cost of high-performance computers and shared equipment that support multiple curriculum areas. 

• Local technical colleges: Many technical colleges are eager to partner with K-12 schools and may offer financial assistance, mentorship or even help finance parts of your lab as an incentive to get students interested in their programs. 

• Community sponsorships: Local computer repair shops, internet providers and electronics stores often make excellent partners. They benefit from supporting local schools and building relationships with future tech-minded students.

 

4. How many teams will use the space, and what’s their skill level? 

As mentioned earlier, keeping in mind the users of the lab will be a deciding factor in the final design. This includes thinking about the number of teams and skill levels that are going to be using the space. Some environments may be designed to accommodate just a handful of beginner-level teams, while others may be able to host dozens or even hundreds of expert-level players at once. 

 

It’s also worth noting that different games may require different team sizes. For example, Rocket League uses teams of three while Overwatch 2 uses teams of five. These differences can have a big impact on your overall layout. A flexible, easy-to-rearrange setup can help your space adapt to the most popular games each year.   

 

5. How will the coach actually coach?

It’s a good idea to bring the coach into the esports lab design process early on. Every coach has their own way of running a team, so their input can make a big difference. They might have preferences on where to sit during matches, how close they want to be to players or what kind of setup helps them communicate best. Working together on the layout and furniture placement ensures the space actually supports how the team practices and competes. 

 

That said, one of the biggest challenges schools face right now is finding someone willing to coach. Since esports is still new territory for many, teachers and parents may feel unsure about how to coach a game they haven’t played themselves. The good news? They don’t need to be experts in the game to be effective coaches. 

 

Great coaching in esports is similar to great management – it’s about helping a team work well together, communicate effectively, and develop strategies for improvement. Coaches can rely on tools like aim labs, in-game challenge modes or even classic strategy games like chess to help players strengthen their problem-solving and teamwork skills. Encouraging student mentorship, where more experienced players help guide others, can also go a long way in building confidence and collaboration within the team.

 

6. Will there be a viewing area?

Many esports rooms have a designated viewing section for parents and visitors that may include features like a big screen, a mix of hard and soft seating and more. Here are some key elements to think about when designing your viewing area: 

• Lighting: Keep the viewing area bright enough for comfort but not so harsh that it distracts from the screens. Adjustable lighting works best so you can adjust to the experience. 

• Sound: Some games encourage background noise while others need complete silence. If you plan on having sound from the games playing in the lab, make sure it’s not too loud in the viewing area. Consider using soundproofing materials to minimize noise pollution. 

• Seating: Make sure the seating in the viewing area is comfortable for extended periods of time. Consider providing cushions or pillows for those who prefer softer seating. At WB, we offer a Media Center Workstation Kit – complete with multi-level viewing featuring seating for up to 11 students, parents or other participants. It gives viewers a clear view of the action while giving them a comfortable place to sit.   

• Amenities: Think about providing amenities such as charging ports, Wi-Fi and refreshments in the viewing area to enhance the visitor experience.

 

7. What type of gaming and equipment?

Start by deciding what kind of gaming your program will focus on – console, PC or a mix of both – and whether each will have its own dedicated space. Most esports gaming is done on PCs, with exceptions such as Nintendo Switch games like Super Smash Bros.  

 

The gaming you choose will guide everything else, from the hardware and software to how the room is laid out. Most esports labs include a mix of gaming computers, monitors, and peripherals like controllers and headsets. 

 

In most cases, headsets and controllers are provided by the students themselves, but you’ll still want to include dedicated storage for these personal items, like a place to hang headsets. Having secure and organized storage solutions keeps the space tidy and ensures equipment stays protected between sessions.  

 

Also, don’t overlook infrastructure details like ventilation, internet connectivity and wire management. A room full of gaming machines can heat up quickly, so good airflow keeps both players and equipment running at their best. Since most competitive gaming relies on wired Ethernet connections for speed and stability, plan for extra network ports early in the design process – it’s much easier (and less costly) to add them now than later. Keep in mind, too, that hardwired setups can limit the flexibility and mobility of your arena, so plan your connection points strategically. Using a cable management system will keep everything organized and help prevent tripping hazards.

 

8. What kind of furniture do you need?

To make your gaming space comfortable and functional for players, selecting the right furniture is essential. Here are some key considerations: 

• Gaming chairs are a must-have to provide support and comfort during long gaming sessions. 

• Desks with sufficient space for multiple monitors and gaming accessories are crucial. Our LEET™ Esports Marathon Desk or ELO® Slinger Table are excellent options. If you want to level up your space a little more, consider our Command Hub! This unique piece offers ample storage for all your essentials and ventilation. Learn more about our LEET™ Esports collection. 

• Storage solutions such as our lockers and cubbies can help keep the space organized and tidy. 

• Decide whether your furniture should be stationary or mobile, depending on your preferred setup. We offer both options! 

• Furniture featuring cord management and ventilation for optimal airflow to prevent overheating. Some of our esports furniture already include these options. If it doesn’t come standard, we can customize them to meet your needs. 

To help you avoid the common pitfalls schools run into, we’ve outlined the 5 most common mistakes made when designing esports arenas.

Let’s Unleash Your Gaming Potential 

Creating an esports lab is like building a winning team – it takes careful planning, strategy and teamwork. At WB, we understand what these programs need because we’ve helped schools of all sizes bring them to life. Whether you’re building your first lab or upgrading for a growing team, our LEET™ Esports Collection and custom design solutions can help you make it happen. 

 

Ready to start planning? Fill out the form below to download our Esports Design Guide for ideas, layouts and inspiration to help you create a space that students will be proud to call their home arena.