Having enough furniture is a must if you are throwing a huge party. Whether the party is to celebrate a child’s birthday, a wedding anniversary, or a small corporate gathering, one important component of planning and holding a successful event is that there should be enough chairs, tables, and other furnishings for all the guests.
Professional event management companies can assist you in renting the right furniture for your event. However, it is still important to keep these factors in mind, whether you are working with an event planner or organizing the event by yourself.
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Create a guest list
To know how many chairs, tables, and furnishings you need and the types you want to hire, list down the names of the people you invited first. Once you have the total count, add a few extras to the number of pieces you need. This is because some guests may bring their date or more kids than you may expect.
Knowing who will attend the party will also help you choose the furnishings you can rent for the event. If you want the adults to sit on something comfy, you can rent a couple or more of leather ottomans and/or couches.
Additionally, knowing the number of people attending will help you plan the menu more efficiently and have the time to choose suppliers that source from quality foodservice providers.
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Consider the event venue
The place where you will hold the event will affect the number and types of furniture pieces you can rent as well.
If you will be having the party at home, check the space in your living room, family room, kitchen, and other areas where the guests can stay. In case you have a lawn or garden, consider using it as the main or as an additional entertainment space as well.
Once you have ascertained your entertainment areas, check if the number of furniture pieces you intend to rent can fit in them. If an area isn’t spacious enough to hold a number of furnishings, you will have to find another spot for the extra ones or bring them out only when there is a need for them.
Consider the venue as well when choosing the type of furniture to rent. Bean bags will be great on the lawn. If your home is near the beach, it would be best to hire waterproofed furniture since they are sturdy and can withstand the strong winds on the seaside.
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Rent furniture pieces that go with the theme or type of party
To host the perfect party, you have to be sure you will be renting pieces that go with or enhance the theme and mood of the event.
A sit-down dinner party to celebrate your wedding anniversary calls for some wooden dining tables and chairs since they look more formal. You can then cover the tables with plain white tablecloth or choose the color that represents the anniversary you are celebrating.
If you are throwing a children’s birthday party, you can rent plastic or metal chairs and tables. However, select colored pieces that complement the theme of the event. For instance, if your daughter will be having a princess-themed party, rent pink or lavender-colored chairs.
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Choose comfortable chairs
When thinking about what type of chairs to rent, consider the duration of the party.
If the event will go on for several hours and it has a formal theme, rent chairs and tables that are comfortable. In case it will be a short lunch or dinner, simple plastic or wooden furniture pieces will be enough.
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Make a list of all the items you will rent
Aside from chairs and tables, consider other items you may require. If you will be using your lawn as an additional entertainment space, you may want to rent a tent or two. You may also need some additional lighting fixtures to light up your outdoor space if the party will take place at night.
Ensure you don’t forget to rent anything you need for the event by creating a list of the furniture pieces and how many you intend to hire.
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Check the quality of the furnishings
Finally, before actually hiring any furniture piece, visit the store or warehouse of the party furniture rental provider. Find out if they have all the furnishings you need.
Inspect the chairs, tables, and other furnishings you will be renting. Make sure that all the items for rent are in good condition.
You will also have an idea of the quality of the furniture pieces they have and how safe they are by asking a staff how they maintain and clean these items. Find out how often they do this and what kind of testing and inspection practices they employ as well.
Choosing the right company to hire your furnishings from can make the whole furniture rental process go easier and faster. Aside from having a wide assortment of good quality furniture pieces to pick from, you can get some useful advice for selecting the best ones that will help make your party a successful one.
AUTHOR BIO
Charlotte Manzi is the Creative & Project Director at BlueInk Event Management in Dubai. Launched in 2012, BlueInk provides its clients with bespoke, best-in-class event management services. The team’s pursuit of going beyond satisfaction enables them to advise, manage and execute extraordinary experiences that are exceptional and unforgettable.
