Deck Chair Hire: When to Use Them and How Many to Order

Deck chairs work at outdoor events where guests sit for extended periods — outdoor cinema screenings, garden parties, festival chill-out areas. Each one takes up around 1.5m² in use and folds flat for transport. They stack ten high when folded.

When They Work

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• Outdoor cinema screenings — guests face a screen for 90 minutes or more
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• Garden parties and corporate picnics — relaxed informal seating zones
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• Festival chill-out areas — low-energy rest zones between stages
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• Village fetes and sports days — casual perimeter seating
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When They Don't

Avoid deck chairs at formal dinners or any setup where guests eat at a table. The chair sits low — standard dining height is too tall for comfortable eating from a deck chair. They also need reasonably flat, firm ground. On soft or uneven surfaces the legs sink and the chair rocks. Rattan outdoor furniture or folding chairs handle those conditions better.

How Many to Order

For outdoor cinema or performances where all guests are seated throughout: one per person, plus a 10% buffer.

For garden parties and social events where guests move around: order 50 to 60% of your guest count. Most guests won't sit at the same time.

Each chair measures 1.2m long by 0.6m wide. Allow 1.5m² per chair in use to give guests room to recline and stand up. For 50 chairs, plan 75m² of clear lawn.

What to Pair Them With

Deck chairs sit low, so standard dining tables are too tall. Pair them with:

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• Low side tables or coffee tables for drinks
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• Rattan sets mixed in for a lounge area feel
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• A 3m parasol per four chairs in direct sun, or a gazebo for a covered zone
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Specifications

Solid wood frame with a bright fabric sling. Dimensions: 1.2m long, 0.6m wide, 0.88m tall. Folds flat, stacks ten high. Hire from £8.00 per 3-day period. No security deposit required. Delivery from £40 across England and Wales.

Ground surfaces and positioning

Deck chairs work on grass, hard standing, and decking. On very soft ground, the back legs can sink — check the ground condition before confirming quantities. Space chairs 60cm apart to allow guests to sit and stand without disturbing neighbours. For a beach or festival zone, group chairs in clusters of six to eight with a low table between groups.

Events where deck chairs work

Summer festivals, garden parties, outdoor cinema events, and corporate summer days are the most common use cases. Deck chairs do not suit formal dining. They work well as a breakout or relaxation zone alongside other seating types. For a 200-person outdoor event, a deck chair zone of 20 to 30 chairs gives guests a dedicated place to sit without the formality of dining furniture.

Quantities

Order one deck chair per 3 to 4 guests for a relaxation zone. Not every guest will sit at the same time. For a fully seated outdoor cinema or screening event, order one per guest. Deck chairs are lightweight and transport well, so over-ordering by 10% adds minimal cost.

How many deck chairs to order

For a garden party where outdoor seating is the primary furniture, order one deck chair per guest plus 10% for movement and choice. At a fete or public event where deck chairs are one of several seating options, one per five visitors is usually sufficient — visitors rotate through rather than occupying a chair for the duration. Read the outdoor events guide for more seating planning advice.

Ground surface

Deck chairs need reasonably firm ground to stand on. On very soft or wet grass, the feet sink and the chair becomes unstable. For marquee events with waterlogged ground, use garden chairs on hard flooring rather than deck chairs on soft ground. Deck chairs work best on firm, dry grass, terraces, and hard-standing areas.

Setup time

Deck chairs come folded and set up in under a minute each. For 50 chairs, allow 30 to 45 minutes for setup. They do not require any tools or specialist knowledge. Collect them by folding each one flat — collection takes the same time as setup.