The best seating arrangement for your event
Pondering what type of seating arrangement is most suited to your event and how much space you might need to fit everyone comfortably? Besides finding the perfect venue, choosing appropriate seating is vital for anyone organising an event.
Choosing the seating arrangement comes first
Finding the perfect venue and choosing the most suitable seating arrangement go hand in hand. It’s not enough to know the number of attendees you are expecting as different seating arrangements require different amounts of space per person. How you arrange tables and chairs will significantly impact whether a space feels empty, overcrowded, or just right.
The right seating arrangement supports your event goals
The right seating arrangement, alongside the venue and its ambience, plays a crucial role in the success of your event. Depending on the purpose and goals of your event, different types of seating arrangements may be more or less suitable.
Dive into the basics of event seating
In this guide, we introduce the 10 most popular seating arrangements, provide an overview of their advantages and disadvantages, and explain which seating arrangement is best suited for which type of event.
- Auditorium/Theatre Style
- Classroom
- Chevron Style (Herringbone)
- Boardroom
- U-Shape
- Hollow Square
- Banquet
- Cabaret
- Circle
- Cocktail
1. Auditorium/Theatre Style Seating
Theatre style seating, also known as auditorium style seating, is the go-to seating arrangement for lectures, presentations, and shows. It consists of chairs set out in rows, all facing the same direction, with no tables. The chairs can either be set up directly behind one another or staggered, as they tend to be arranged in theatres. This allows for an unobstructed view towards the stage or presenter.
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Use of space:highly efficient |
Space needed per person:1.5 m2 |
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Best suited for:
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Advantages of theatre style seating
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Disadvantages of theatre style seating
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2. Classroom Style Seating
To achieve classroom style seating, tables with chairs are arranged in rows parallel to the stage or presenter, similar to the way students are seated in classrooms. This type of seating arrangement is ideal for educational events where the main focus is on a presenter and attendees require a workspace to take notes.
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Use of space:moderately efficient |
Space needed per person:2 m2 |
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Best suited for:
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Advantages of classroom style seating
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Disadvantages of classroom style seating
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3. Chevron Style Seating (Herringbone)
If you are looking to maximise the participants’ focus on the stage or presenter, a chevron style seating arrangement is the perfect fit. Like classroom style seating, this type of seating arrangement consists of rows of tables facing the front, with the difference that all rows are angled inwards rather than parallel to the stage.
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Use of space:moderately efficient |
Space needed per person:2.5 m2 |
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Best suited for:
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Advantages of chevron style seating
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Disadvantages of chevron style seating
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4. Boardroom Style Seating
With all participants seated around a single table, boardroom style seating is a classic for all kinds of meetings, discussions, and negotiations. This type of seating arrangement is suitable for both small-scale gatherings and can be adapted for larger celebrations by combining several tables into one elongated table.
Side note: Using an oval table removes the head of the table and with it any sense of hierarchy, making this variation of boardroom style seating the perfect choice for meetings and negotiations at eye level.
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Use of space:rather space-consuming |
Space needed per person:3 m2 |
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Best suited for:
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Advantages of boardroom style seating:
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Disadvantages of boardroom style seating:
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5. U-Shape (Horseshoe)
As can be deduced from the name, horseshoe-style seating refers to rectangular tables being arranged in a U-shape. Usually, event attendees are only seated on the outside of the U-shape, allowing the presenter to move freely within the open space.
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Use of space:rather space-consuming |
Space needed per person:3 m2 |
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Best suited for:
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Advantages of U-shape seating
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Disadvantages of U-shape seating
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6. Hollow Square Seating
For this type of seating, rectangular tables are arranged into a square with an open centre, so that all event attendees are facing inwards. Compared to boardroom style seating, a hollow square seating arrangement offers more legroom but also requires more floor space for the same number of participants.
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Use of space:very space-consuming |
Space needed per person:4-5 m2 |
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Best suited for:
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Advantages of hollow square seating
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Disadvantages of hollow square seating
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7. Banquet Style Seating
For a banquet style setting, groups of four to twelve guests are seated around small tables spread throughout the event space. This creates a relaxed yet elegant atmosphere that invites guests to socialise, making this seating arrangement highly popular for festive events with table service, such as anniversaries, charity events, or ceremonies.
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Use of space:rather space-consuming |
Space needed per person:3 m2 |
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Best suited for:
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Advantages of banquet style seating
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Disadvantages of banquet style seating
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8. Cabaret Style Seating
For celebrations and culinary events that are accompanied by an entertainment programme, a presentation, or long speeches, the cabaret style seating arrangement is ideal. What distinguishes this variation from banquet style seating is that guests are only seated on one side of the table, ensuring all guests enjoy a clear view of the stage. This makes cabaret style seating the perfect choice for events with a strong focus on both the programme and interaction between attendees.
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Use of space:rather space-consuming |
Space needed per person:3.5 m2 |
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Best suited for:
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Advantages of Cabaret Style Seating
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Disadvantages of Cabaret Style Seating
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9. Circle of Chairs
For highly interactive event formats, a circle of chairs is an ideal set-up. As the name suggests, chairs without tables are arranged in a circle, which fosters open communication but makes it difficult to work with training materials or take notes. Therefore, this type of seating arrangement is best suited for short meetings and group work rather than lengthy work sessions.
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Use of space:moderately efficient |
Space needed per person:2.5 m2 |
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Best suited for:
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Advantages of a circle set-up:
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Disadvantages of a circle set-up:
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10. Cocktail Style Set-up
A cocktail style set-up features a number of cocktail tables with or without high stools placed around the event space — there is little to no seating for event attendees. Allowing guests to move freely, this set-up encourages networking and social interaction. A cocktail style set-up is therefore not only the perfect choice for casual receptions but also popular for break zones. For lengthy events or breaks, lounge furniture or other additional seating should be available to keep guests comfortable.
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Use of space:highly efficient |
Space needed per person:0.5 m2 |
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Best suited for:
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Advantages of a cocktail style set-up:
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Disadvantages of a cocktail style set-up:
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Choosing the right seating arrangement is just the beginning
Once you’ve decided on the most suitable seating arrangement for your event, choosing the right event space becomes easier.
Our online platform is here to help you find the perfect venue for your next event. With Konflinx, you can discover, compare, and book Austria’s most popular event venues in just a few clicks.