When Planning an Event do You Know the Proper Placement of Furniture in a Banquet Hall?

Furniture is an integral part of your event design so why not make the most of it? Planners utilize 72 inch round tables, that seat 10 people comfortably, as a means for seating arrangements. Other options include square tables which lend more intimacy but seat less people and rectangular 6 foot tables lined one next to the other to create one continuous banquet table which creates a homey feel allowing guests to wine and dine conversing freely with one another. Use table linens designed specifically for the table. Be sure that the elements of your table settings all tie together. You have a myriad of options for chairs. Rental companies carry chairs of different designs as well as colors and even offer chair covers. Chivari ballroom chairs are elegant and perfect for weddings and formal events. You might choose a banquet chair and cover it with a satin chair cover or a cane back chair in which you weave a ribbon through the back of the chair. You might add tie backs in a color to match your color scheme and tie off the ribbon in a pretty bow around the back of your chairs. You might have enough space in your room for casual seating around the perimeter of your room. Set up a separate lounge housing a bar and sofas for your guests to sit and relax while sipping on a cocktail. Furniture is another area where you can be creative and add a special touch to the overall design of your room.

How you arrange furniture in a space will be determined by the amount of space, shape of the room, number of tables, various other furniture, a dance floor, entrances and exits to the room. If you are setting a ballroom for a wedding reception this will influence how tables will be arranged within the space as the sweetheart table or wedding party table should sit prominently within the space so that they are the focal point of the room. Make a production out of your production, by placing the wedding party on a stage, if one is available and arrange the cake table on a balcony to create a fairy tale wedding. For a small gathering utilize conference style seating enabling all of your guests to see each other and interact comfortably with one another as they dine. There are many ways in which you can create a special look just by arranging the furniture in your space correctly.

Keep these points in mind when arranging furniture in your banquet hall so that guests and staff will be able to flow freely and safely.

1. A room should always have a focal point. When you enter a room your eye should always go straight to the focal point which is generally the most prominent element of the room. When chairs are arranged around banquet tables, the focal point is the guide used to determine the head seat at that table, which always faces the focal point. The focal point might be the stage, podium or sweetheart table, just to name a few.

2. Always stagger tables in rows so that guests as well as staff are able to pass through them with ease.

3. Never block the entrances or exits to a room with furniture as this is a safety hazard.

4. Always allow plenty of space between the entrance to the room and dining tables so that guests can comfortably enter a room.

5. Be sure that any electrical cords are correctly secured to the floor and away from banquet tables to prevent guests and staff from tripping and falling.

Whatever type of event you are planning the layout of the feasting tables and other furniture is important to the overall look of your event space so make it special with a unique placement of it.

Party planning tip: Set-up a head table at a wedding reception or an event where guests such as dignitaries need to be in the forefront of the room.

Design your next event! Teresa Speer

http://www.eventsyoudesign.com

If you want to learn more about planning an event read my book, "Events You Design".There are many points to planning a celebration, “Events You Design”, guides you through them while showing you how to take your vision and translate it into a spectacular affair. There is no book on the market like “Events You Design”. From small budgets to big budgets, novice to professional caterers and event planners, from birthdays, wedding receptions, bar mitzvahs, anniversaries to whatever party or gathering you have in mind, this book has hundreds and hundreds of ideas for creating the perfect get together. This is a must have edition on event planning and decoration, organization, logistics, time lines, etiquette, photographs, floor diagrams, food and beverage, cakes, desserts, lighting, aisles, tents, chuppahs and arches. These are only a few of the topics discussed to help you choreograph the perfect celebration!