Furniture hire choices depend on your guest count, venue layout and the atmosphere you want to create. This guide covers weddings, corporate events and private parties.
Choosing furniture for an event is about more than picking something that looks good. Guest numbers, venue access, formality and available storage space all affect what will work in practice. This guide covers the key considerations before placing a furniture hire order.
The most important starting point is how many people are attending and how they will be seated. A sit-down dinner for 200 requires a very different furniture selection to a standing cocktail reception for the same number.
For seated dining, round banqueting tables make the best use of floor space. Rectangular tables are better where tables need to be joined, such as for a top table at a wedding or a long boardroom-style arrangement. Factor in the number of chairs per table and the required circulation space between tables when calculating quantities.
For standing events or mixed formats, poseur tables and bar stools work well, along with sofas for any seated areas.
Not all furniture fits through all doorways, and not all venues can be accessed easily. Check the dimensions of any larger pieces against your venue's doorways, corridors and lift dimensions before ordering. Product pages include dimensions wherever possible.
Our drivers can deliver up to 50 metres from their vehicle and cannot use stairs. If your venue is above ground floor, you will need staff available to move furniture from the delivery point to the final location.
The style of furniture should reflect the nature of the event. A formal corporate dinner calls for different choices to a festival-style outdoor event.
For formal events, Chiavari chairs or wishbone chairs alongside round banqueting tables are the standard combination. For something more relaxed or modern, Tolix chairs, cross back chairs or rattan furniture offer alternatives. For outdoor events, our outdoor furniture range includes weather-resistant options in both aluminium and resin wood.
At a wedding, chairs carry more visual weight than almost any other hire item. They fill the room and appear in nearly every photograph. Chiavari chairs are the traditional choice for formal venues and work with chair sashes and linen hire. Cross-back chairs suit barn and rustic settings, while wishbone chairs work in contemporary spaces.
For the ceremony, a separate chair arrangement is common. Chairs for the ceremony area do not always need to match those in the dining room, particularly if the ceremony space is seen in isolation. This can allow a more statement choice for the ceremony without pushing up the overall cost.
Top tables are often dressed differently to guest tables. Long rectangular tables allow the wedding party to face the room. Paired with quality tablecloths and matching chair choices, they anchor the room's visual arrangement.
Corporate events cover a range of formats: conferences, award dinners, product launches, networking receptions and gala dinners. Furniture requirements differ significantly between them.
Award dinners and gala events call for round banqueting tables and formal chairs, with a top table at the front for speakers or award presenters. Networking receptions benefit from poseur tables spread around the room, which encourage circulation and conversation without requiring formal seating.
Conference setups typically need classroom-style or theatre seating during sessions, then a transition to dining or reception furniture for the evening. If your event has multiple phases, discuss the furniture changeover with your venue coordinator when booking.
Chesterfield sofas and lounge furniture add a breakout feel to larger corporate events and work well in reception foyers or post-dinner areas.
Private parties range from small dinner gatherings to large milestone celebrations. For relaxed events, a mix of table formats works well: a few central dining tables for the main meal, poseur tables near the bar area and lounge seating for later in the evening.
Garden parties and summer events benefit from outdoor furniture that handles weather variation. If the event runs into the evening, outdoor heating and gazebo hire extend the usable outdoor time significantly.
For less formal gatherings, folding tables and stacking chairs offer practicality and are the most cost-effective option from our range.
All hire furniture arrives at least a day before the event and is collected the day after. Secure storage away from weather and wet ground is needed for that time. Check that your venue has the space before ordering, particularly for tables which, even when folded flat, take up significant floor area.
Browse the full furniture hire range online, with all pricing and availability shown. Orders can be placed without a quote.
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