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.


Use of space:

highly efficient

Space needed per person:

1.5 m2

Best suited for:

  • presentations
  • lectures
  • performances, shows, readings 

Advantages of theatre style seating

  • maximises capacity of event space
  • offers clear view of stage/presenter, especially if rows are staggered

Disadvantages of theatre style seating

  • no workspace, making note-taking difficult
  • limited legroom depending on row spacing
  • problems with accessibility; catering is restricted if not impossible

 

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.


Use of space:

moderately efficient

Space needed per person:

2 m2

Best suited for:

  • seminars
  • trainings
  • workshops
  • lectures
  • conferences

Advantages of classroom style seating

  • space for materials, note-taking, electronic devices, and beverages
  • pleasant work environment
  • focus on and good view of the presenter/speaker
  • ample legroom
  • allows for catering and table service

Disadvantages of classroom style seating

  • attendees are not facing each other
  • interaction is limited to neighbouring participants
  • attendees might adopt uncomfortable postures if rows aren’t staggered

 

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.


Use of space:

moderately efficient

Space needed per person:

2.5 m2

Best suited for:

  • seminars
  • trainings
  • lectures
  • conferences

Advantages of chevron style seating

  • excellent view of speaker
  • staggered seating avoids uncomfortable postures
  • space for materials, note-taking, electronic devices, and beverages
  • ample legroom
  • makes it possible to fill large spaces

Disadvantages of chevron style seating

  • requires more space
  • attendees are not facing each other
  • interaction is limited to neighbouring participants
  • acoustics might be slightly more challenging

 

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.


Use of space:

rather space-consuming

Space needed per person:

3 m2

Best suited for:

  • meetings and team briefings
  • negotiations
  • discussions
  • celebrations
  • culinary events

Advantages of boardroom style seating:

  • attendees facing each other allows for eye contact
  • encourages interaction and open communication
  • fosters a sense of inclusion
  • offers ample workspace for everyone
  • minimal to no perceived hierarchy
  • catering and table service made easy

Disadvantages of boardroom style seating:

  • requires a larger amount of space per person
  • depending on seating position, view of presentation is not ideal

 

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.

Use of space:

rather space-consuming

Space needed per person:

3 m2

Best suited for:

  • presentations that include discussions
  • interactive workshops
  • meetings centred around a presentation

Advantages of U-shape seating

  • allows for a focus on the presenter and interaction between participants
  • mostly clear view of presentation
  • attendees facing each other, encouraging communication
  • offers sufficient workspace for everyone
  • minimal sense of hierarchy
  • catering and table service possible

Disadvantages of U-shape seating

  • requires a larger amount of space per person
  • some participants need to angle themselves towards the presentation

 

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.


Use of space:

very space-consuming

Space needed per person:

4-5 m2

Best suited for:

  • meetings
  • negotiations
  • discussions
  • business lunches/dinners
  • celebrations

Advantages of hollow square seating

  • offers more legroom compared to boardroom seating
  • all participants are facing each other
  • encourages communication and interaction
  • offers sufficient workspace for everyone
  • no perceived sense of hierarchy
  • allows for catering and table service

Disadvantages of hollow square seating

  • requires more space than other meeting set-ups
  • not ideal for large groups
  • not suitable for presentations as some guests will have to turn around

 

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.


Use of space:

rather space-consuming

Space needed per person:

3 m2

Best suited for:

  • gala dinners
  • celebrations
  • culinary events

Advantages of banquet style seating

  • creates a relaxed yet elegant ambience
  • guests at the same table are facing each other, perfect for socialising
  • encourages interaction and conversation
  • catering and table service made easy
  • ideal for formal events and special occasions

Disadvantages of banquet style seating

  • requires more space per guest than other seating options
  • less workspace per person at the shared table
  • not suitable for long presentations or speeches as a large percentage of the guests needs to turn around
  • may require more service staff due to the large number of individual tables

 

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.