Event furniture · Banquets · Catering
Folding banquet tables, chairs and benches: practical solutions for events
At a wedding, a conference or a Christmas party, guests only notice tables and chairs when something is wrong: a table wobbles, the cloth is too short, or there is no way to squeeze between the chairs. This article covers sizes, seating calculations, stretch covers, room planning, logistics and practical advice from banquet organisers, so your folding furniture works for you at every event.
60–70 cm
of table edge per guest — the basis of every calculation
€6.93
for a stretch chair cover — turns a folding chair into a banquet chair
300 kg
maximum load of the folding bench and the 183 cm table 950118
Contents
- Short answer: what suits your event
- How folding furniture works: materials and design
- Sizes, seating, tablecloths and stretch covers
- Safety, fire safety and HACCP
- Solutions by type of event
- Choosing and calculating: how much you need and whether to buy
- Advice from banquet organisers
- Set-up, transport and storage
- Correct use and common mistakes
- Service and maintenance
- Models in the BHS range
- Frequently asked questions
01 Short answer: what suits your event
Folding furniture is chosen not for looks, but for how often it will be transported, where it will be stored and who will set it up. With stretch covers, even a simple folding table and chair look festive, so the key criteria are durability, weight and storage space.
Banquet hall, hotel, restaurant
Tables of one size, e.g. the table 950118 (183×76 cm), which can be set in long rows and U-shapes, plus a few round tables Ø 115 cm. Chairs 950121 with white or black covers.
Catering and off-site events
Fold-in-half tables that fit into a van, light POLY chairs (3.3 kg), high tables with covers for the welcome drink. Everything must be moisture-resistant.
School, community centre, canteen
244×76 cm tables and folding benches give many seats for little money and turn a concert hall into a dining room fast. Chairs with backrests for children and seniors.
Festival, market, sports event
A 183 cm table + two benches = 6 seats, high tables for the drinks area. A polyethylene top withstands rain and UV, the steel frame frequent set-up.
02 How folding furniture works: materials and design
A modern banquet table has three parts: the top (usually polyethylene or HDPE — high-density polyethylene, blow-moulded with reinforcing ribs), a painted steel frame and leg locks that stop the legs folding by accident. Chairs and benches follow the same principle: light plastic + steel frame.
- Polyethylene / HDPE top — moisture, stains, UV and frost do no harm; light; Watch out for: hot dishes directly on the top — always a mat or cloth
- Laminated wood / HPL top — looks like a restaurant table, can be used without a cloth; Watch out for: heavier; damaged edges absorb moisture
- Painted steel — handles frequent set-up, affordable; Watch out for: scratches rust outdoors — clean and touch up in time
- Aluminium — light, does not rust; Watch out for: more expensive, more sensitive to knocks
- Fold-in-half — half the length, fits in a car; Watch out for: centre hinge — do not sit on the top
- One-piece top — stiffer, no seam in the middle; Watch out for: needs a longer vehicle and more storage space
Why polyethylene is the banquet standard
A hollow polyethylene top with internal ribs is light but rigid: the 183 cm table 950118 weighs 13.7 kg and takes up to 300 kg. The top does not absorb liquids, so it can be washed with ordinary detergent and disinfected like any work surface. Folded, table 950118 is 9 cm thick, and the 183×76 cm fold-in-half table about 5 cm.
03 Sizes, seating, tablecloths and stretch covers
The banquet organisers' basic rule: 60 cm of table edge per guest is the minimum, 70 cm is comfortable (wider chairs or full place settings). At the ends of a rectangular table the legs get in the way, so count them only as reserve.
How much floor space you need
Space per guest is a guide for choosing the room and drawing the plan. Include aisles, but not the stage, dance floor or buffet — plan those separately.
| Layout | m² per guest (guide) |
|---|---|
| Banquet at rectangular tables | 1.3–1.6 m² |
| Banquet at round tables | 1.4–1.8 m² |
| Standing reception with high tables | 0.7–0.9 m² |
| Theatre style (chairs only) | 0.7–0.9 m² |
| Classroom style (tables + chairs) | 1.6–2.0 m² |
Stretch covers: the fastest way to a festive room
Stretch covers (95 % polyester, 5 % elastane) pull on like a sock and fit the chair or table tightly. They need no ironing, do not flap in the wind and do not slip, so for catering and outdoor events they are more practical than a classic tablecloth. Each cover is made for a specific model, so buy furniture and covers as a set.
Prices excl. VAT. All covers in one place: covers for dining furniture.
Classic tablecloths: a formula, not a guess
If you use fabric tablecloths: tablecloth size = table size + 2 × drop. An everyday drop is 25–30 cm, a formal one reaches the floor (table height 74 cm minus ~1 cm).
04 Safety, fire safety and HACCP
- Locks. After opening, check the leg locks on every table and press lightly on the centre of the top. If the table clicks or sags, do not use it.
- Load. Respect the manufacturer's maximum load: bench 950120 and table 950118 — 300 kg, round table D — 250 kg, chair 950121 — 150 kg, high table — 75 kg. Nobody sits or stands on a high table.
- Heavy equipment. Bain-maries, beverage dispensers and coffee machines go on a stable, level table away from the edge; cables must not cross aisles.
- Escape routes. Agree the layout with the venue and its fire safety requirements: exits and the routes to them stay clear and are not narrowed by chairs or tables.
- Outdoors. Wind lifts tablecloths and topples high tables — use stretch covers or tablecloth clips; in a marquee, legs stand on a level base.
- Children. Do not leave folding chairs and tables in a play area — the folding mechanism can trap fingers.
HACCP at the buffet and banquet table
A folding table is not a food-contact surface in itself, but at a buffet it becomes one. Clean and disinfect the top before setting up and place food in GN containers, on trays or on a clean cloth, not directly on the surface. Keep hot and cold food at the right temperatures (bain-marie, ice bath, chilled display); your HACCP plan sets the control values, and in Ireland the reference authority is the FSAI. Wash covers and tablecloths after the event rather than just shaking them out.
05 Solutions by type of event
- Restaurant / hotel banquet hall — 950118 + Ø 115 cm; Seating: chairs 950121 with covers; Extras: high tables with covers in the foyer
- Catering / off-site — 183×76 fold-in-half; Seating: POLY or EVENT; Extras: stretch covers, spare table
- Canteen, school, community centre — 244×76 and 950118; Seating: benches + chairs with backrests; Extras: trolleys, storage space
- Festival / market / rental company — 950118; Seating: benches 950120; Extras: spare tables, labelling, repair kit
Restaurant and banquet hall
One table model = one cover model: less laundry and faster set-up.
Most common mistake: tables from different makers with 1–2 cm height difference — a visible step in a long row.
Catering
Fold-in-half tables, chairs up to 5 kg, everything grouped by event.
Most common mistake: fabric tablecloths creased after the journey with nowhere to iron — which is exactly why caterers choose stretch covers.
Canteen, school, community centre
Benches give the most seats per metre and switch quickly from concert to lunch.
Most common mistake: no storage planned — folded tables lean against a corridor wall and block the escape route.
Festival and rental company
The furniture works every weekend, so spares and quick maintenance matter.
Most common mistake: no labelling — after the event nobody knows how many chairs came back or which table has a damaged lock.
06 Choosing and calculating: how much you need and whether to buy
- Size and shape — 183×76 as the base, round tables as accents; Why it matters: covers, plan and seating are easy to calculate
- Weight — table up to 15 kg, chair up to 5 kg; Why it matters: one person can carry it, faster set-up
- Folded size — 5–9 cm thick, fold-in-half; Why it matters: fits in a van and in storage
- Locks and feet — metal lock, rubber or plastic feet; Why it matters: safety and floor protection
- Load — manufacturer's maximum load; Why it matters: heavy buffet equipment, sitting on a bench
- Chair type — folding or stacking (EVENT up to 30 pcs); Why it matters: storage space and transport
- Covers — is there a stretch cover for the model; Why it matters: a uniform room without sewing or ironing
Simple calculation: banquet for 120 guests
- Table 950118 (183×76 cm) → 6 guests (3 per side at 61 cm). 120 : 6 = 20 tables.
- Chairs 950121: 120 + 10 % reserve (12) = 132 chairs.
- Stretch covers: 20 table covers and 132 chair covers (white or black).
- Room: 120 × 1.3–1.6 m² = 156–192 m² (excluding stage, dance floor and buffet).
- A long “imperial” row: 10 tables = 18.3 m, 62 guests (including the ends).
Buy or rent: payback example
Assumptions: the set from the calculation above; rental price with cover €3.00 per chair and €10.00 per table per event; your own costs per event (transport, washing the covers) €80.00. Prices excl. VAT.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| 20 tables 950118 × €72.45 | €1,449.00 |
| 132 chairs 950121 × €32.76 | €4,324.32 |
| Covers: 20 × €10.08 + 132 × €6.93 | €1,116.36 |
| Total purchase | €6,889.68 |
| Rental for one event | €596.00 |
| Saving per event (rental − own costs) | €516.00 |
| Payback | after 14 events |
| With 2 events a month (24 a year) | ~€5,494 saved in the first year |
Calculate with your own rental prices and number of events. Storage space is not included, but neither is the benefit of having your own furniture available at any time and in one style.
07 Advice from banquet organisers
These are proven workshop rules repeated by experienced banquet managers, catering teams and event technicians.
- Plan backwards from the guest list. Seats first, then tables, then covers, finally floor space. Chair reserve — 10 %.
- One table model for the whole event. Two models at most. Every new size means a new cover and a new chance of error.
- A scaled plan. Number the tables, mark exits, power sockets and the waiters' route.
- Aisles matter more than one extra table. Leave at least ~1.5 m between the chair backs of neighbouring tables, the same in front of the buffet, main aisles wider.
- Order: tables → covers → chairs → place settings. Chairs in the room before the table covers only get in the way.
- Pressure test. After opening, press the centre of each table and shake a corner. Mark damaged ones and set them aside.
- Uneven floor. Marquee, barn, paving: bring levelling pads and check long rows with a spirit level.
- The buffet is a separate zone. Its own tables along a wall or as an island with access from both sides; heavy equipment in the middle, not at the edge.
- Outdoors — against wind and sun. Stretch high table covers do not flap; shade for the drinks area is a must.
- Carry correctly. A 244 cm table is carried by two people; tables travel upright and strapped, chairs in stacks or on trolleys.
- After the event — clean and dry. Clean and dry the tops before folding, otherwise storage starts to smell of mould.
- Inventory list. Count tables, chairs and covers before and after the event; you see at once what is missing or damaged.
What it looks like in practice
A typical situation: a catering company brings 20 tables and 130 chairs to a wedding in a country barn. On site the floor turns out to be uneven, two tables wobble and the fabric tablecloths are creased after the journey. A team that prepared in advance brings levelling pads and stretch covers that need no ironing, and does a pressure test on every table before setting up. The room is ready in 40 minutes, and guests notice only the flowers on the tables.
Customer testimonial
[INSERT A REAL CUSTOMER TESTIMONIAL]
— [Name, position], [restaurant / event company]
08 Set-up, transport and storage
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| Room and plan | measure the room, mark exits, columns, sockets, stage and buffet |
| Floor | parquet and tiles — leg feet or felt pads; outdoors — a level base or pads |
| Power | separate extension leads for buffet equipment; tape cables down or use cable protectors |
| Transport | 20 tables × 13.7 kg + 132 chairs × 4.5 kg ≈ 868 kg — fits in a cargo van |
| Storage | 20 folded tables 950118 ≈ 1.8 m stack (9 cm each); covers in dry bags sorted by model |
| First use | open all tables, check locks, feet and screws, fit the covers, label the inventory |
To move inventory around the room, use serving trolleys; to divide a large room, room dividing walls.
09 Correct use and common mistakes
- Table wobbles — uneven floor, lock not fully open; Solution: open until it clicks, pads, different position
- Steps in a long row — different table models and heights; Solution: only one table model per row
- Cover does not fit — bought for another model; Solution: choose covers for the specific table or chair model
- Tablecloth too short — size guessed; Solution: formula: table + 2 × drop
- Chairs scratch the floor — worn or missing feet; Solution: check and replace feet regularly
- Crack or dent in the top — sitting on the table, hot dishes without a mat; Solution: no sitting on tables, mats for hot dishes
- Rust spots on the frame — scratches + damp storage; Solution: clean, touch up, store dry
- Mouldy smell — tables and covers folded wet; Solution: dry before folding and packing
10 Service and maintenance
BHS service and support
At an event it is not just the furniture that works, but also bain-maries, coffee machines, beverage dispensers and refrigeration. BHS service is available 24/7 by phone, technicians work on site across Latvia, the spare parts warehouse is in Riga, Vagonu iela 23, and the company has more than 20 years of experience. Delivery across the Baltics and Europe. The warranty on folding furniture stated on our website is 12 months; for leg feet, locks and other parts, ask our service team.
Maintenance schedule
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| After every event | clean and dry the tops, check the locks; wash the covers; set aside damaged units |
| Monthly | check screws, feet and hinges; count the inventory |
| After the outdoor season | clean frames, touch up scratches, wash and dry covers |
| Once a year | review the set: replace damaged units, top up the reserve |
11 Models in the BHS range
Folding chair Stalgast 950121
47.5×53×87 cm, 4.5 kg, max. load 150 kg, polyethylene + painted steel. Cover: white €6.93, black €6.93.
€32.76 excl. VAT
Folding chair POLY 0101
45×49×80 cm, 3.3 kg, painted steel, plastic seat and backrest, protective feet. Indoor and outdoor.
€20.80 excl. VAT
Folding chair EVENT 010
44×47×78 cm, 5 kg, polypropylene, padded seat, folding and stackable up to 30 pcs.
€38.00 excl. VAT
Folding bench Stalgast 950120
183×28×43 cm, folded 91×28×9 cm, 8.8 kg, max. load 300 kg.
€49.14 excl. VAT
Folding table Stalgast 950118, 183×76 cm
183×76×74 cm, folded 92×76×9 cm, 13.7 kg, max. load 300 kg. Cover: white €10.08, black €10.08.
€72.45 excl. VAT
Folding table N Stalgast 950112, 122×61 cm
122×61×74 cm, folded 5 cm, 8.9 kg, max. load 300 kg. Cover: white €9.45, black €8.82.
€52.29 excl. VAT
Folding table D Stalgast 950131, Ø 115 cm
Ø 115 cm, height 74 cm, 13.6 kg, max. load 250 kg.
€69.93 excl. VAT
Prices excl. VAT, October 2026; prices and availability may change. Also: 183×76 cm fold-in-half table (€84.00), 244×76 cm table (€127.80). Full range: folding tables, chairs and benches · covers for dining furniture.
12 Frequently asked questions
How many guests can sit at a 183 cm table
6 guests (3 per side) at 60 cm per person. Two more can sit at the ends, but the legs are in the way, so keep them as reserve.
Which cover fits table 950118
A stretch table cover 184×75×74 cm: white or black, €10.08. It fits tightly and needs no ironing.
What size fabric tablecloth for a 183×76 cm table
With a 30 cm drop — 243×136 cm, to the floor — about 329×222 cm. Formula: table size + 2 × drop.
Can polyethylene tables be left outdoors
The top withstands moisture and UV, but the steel frame can rust where scratched if it stays damp. After the event clean, dry and store the tables indoors.
Round or rectangular tables for a banquet
Rectangular tables use space better and form long rows; round tables create a festive mood and easier conversation. Often the best choice is a mix of both.
Folding or stacking chairs
Folding chairs take less space and are easier to transport; stacking ones (e.g. EVENT — up to 30 in a stack) are more stable and faster to set out in a room.
How much space for a banquet of 100 guests
Roughly 130–160 m² at rectangular tables, excluding stage, dance floor and buffet.
How to clean tables and covers
Wash polyethylene tops with ordinary detergent and water and disinfect as needed. Stretch polyester covers go in the washing machine at a low temperature — check the label.
Planning a banquet hall or a catering set
We will help you calculate tables, chairs and covers for your room and number of events. Delivery across the Baltics and Europe.
Call: +371 25 522 233Folding tables, chairs and benchesCoversService
Related articles
Disclaimer: seating, floor space and tablecloth figures are practical guides; agree the layout with the venue and its fire safety requirements, and food safety values with your HACCP plan. The payback calculation is based on the stated assumptions. “What it looks like in practice” describes a typical situation. Technical data and prices from our website, October 2026.