Event planners and party-throwers: are you a little unsure about the different types of seating arrangements you could use for your upcoming shindig? Do you feel overwhelmed by the number of event seating choices? Whether you’re organising a corporate do on the Gold Coast or a wedding reception in Brisbane, choosing the right seating arrangement can make or break your event.
To help you understand the best seating style for your needs, we’re going to dive into seven popular seating arrangements to help you create the perfect atmosphere for your next gathering.
1. Banquet Seating
Banquet-style seating is a classic choice for large wedding reception table layouts, formal corporate dinners, and big gala events. This arrangement features large round tables typically seating 8-10 guests each. The circular design promotes conversation and creates an inclusive atmosphere, perfect for when you want your guests to mingle and chat over a meal.
Banquet seating is ideal for events where food service is a central focus, too, as it allows for the easy placement of shared dishes or efficient service by wait staff.


2. Cocktail-Style Seating
Cocktail-style seating, or standing-room arrangements, is all about encouraging movement and interaction between guests. This layout generally features high tables scattered throughout a venue, with limited seating options. There is often a bar set up for guests to get their drinks from, too, so you may need to hire the right furniture to get your venue ready.
A cocktail seating arrangement is perfect for networking events, cocktail parties, or pre-dinner drinks at a wedding. The casual nature of cocktail-style seating encourages guests to mingle and engage in short conversations. This arrangement is particularly popular for events in northern New South Wales, the Gold Coast, Brisbane, and beyond, where it can be combined with indoor-outdoor spaces to make the most of our beautiful weather.


3. Conference-Style Seating
Conference-style seating, also called boardroom seating, involves arranging rectangular tables into one long rectangle or a U-shape. If you’re looking for corporate event styling options for small group numbers, this may be ideal. This layout is perfect for smaller business meetings, strategy sessions, or intimate dinner parties where discussion and interaction are key. This type of setup also works well for intimate weddings. It allows participants to face each other and see each other clearly, which facilitates good conversation.


4. Cabaret Seating
A cabaret seating style, sometimes referred to as a half-moon seating arrangement, is a more relaxed version of banquet seating. With this arrangement, round tables are only partially filled, typically with guests seated on one side facing a stage or presentation area. This style is brilliant for corporate events, conferences, award ceremonies, or any occasion you want to combine dining with entertainment or presentations. It allows guests to enjoy their meal while maintaining a clear view of the stage without having to turn in their chairs awkwardly.

5. Theatre-Style Seating
Theatre-style seating is characterised by rows of dining chairs all facing forward towards a stage or presentation area. This seating arrangement is perfect for larger audiences and events where the focus is on a speaker, a performance, or a visual presentation. Theatre-style seating maximises the number of people you can fit in a space, making it a popular choice for big events where dining isn’t a factor. If you’re hosting your special occasion in a blank space, such as a hall, remember that you’ll need to source a good chair hire option for this event seating setup.


6. Classroom-Style Seating
Classroom-style seating arranges rectangular tables in rows, all facing towards the front of the room, with chairs placed on one side of each table. This setup is ideal for training sessions, workshops, or any event where participants need a surface for taking notes or using laptops. This type of event seating is popular in corporate environments for employee training days or extended conferences.
Classroom-style seating provides a good balance between the formality of theatre-style and the practicality of having a workspace in front of each attendee.


7. Herringbone Seating
Herringbone seating is a unique arrangement where tables are set at an angle, creating a V-shape pattern when viewed from above. This layout is an excellent choice for narrow or oddly shaped rooms, as it maximises space usage while still providing good sight lines to a central focal point. Herringbone seating works well for fashion shows, product launches, or any event where you want to create a sense of movement and energy in the room. It’s great for events that want to break away from traditional seating arrangements and create a more dynamic atmosphere.


When planning your next event, consider the purpose of your shindig, the number of guests you plan to invite, and the venue space when choosing your seating arrangement. Each style has its strengths, and the right choice can significantly enhance your guests’ experience.
If you’d like some help picking the perfect seating arrangements and with all your party hire needs, please get in touch with our expert creative team for some assistance.