In the early Middle Ages, when few castles had large permanent garrisons, not only servants but military and administrative personnel slept in towers or in basements, or in the hall, or in lean-to structures; knights performing castle guard slept near their assigned posts.

In a medieval castle, the sleeping quarters for guards were rarely as comfortable or private as those of the nobility. Most common soldiers and guards slept in the Great Hall on the floor, using simple straw mats or furs that were rolled up during the day. Higher-ranking guards or those on immediate duty might sleep in the Gatehouse (specifically the Barbican), which served as the castle's primary defensive point. In larger or later-period castles, specific barracks or rooms within the curtain walls and towers were designated for the garrison. These rooms often featured shared wooden bunks or simple pallets. Guards were strategically positioned throughout the castle's layout to ensure a quick response to an attack, meaning their "bedroom" was often just a few steps away from their post on the battlements or the murder holes above the main entrance, emphasizing the utilitarian and defensive nature of their role in castle life.