Planning a party, wedding, corporate event, or other gathering usually starts with one basic question: where can you rent tables and chairs for your event? Instead of purchasing furniture that you may only use once, event rental companies make it easy to rent the tables and chairs you need for your guest count, venue, and event style.
Table and chair rental options can range from simple folding chairs and banquet tables for casual parties to round dining tables, resin chairs, cocktail tables, and other seating options for weddings and more formal events. The right rental company can also help with quantities, delivery, setup, and choosing the right combination of tables and chairs for your space.
In this guide, we’ll cover where you can rent tables and chairs, what types are available, what to consider when choosing a rental company, and how to determine what you’ll need for your event.
Where Can You Rent Tables and Chairs for a Party or Event?
The most common place to rent tables and chairs is a local event rental company. These companies maintain inventories of tables, chairs, linens, and other event equipment that customers can rent for a specific date and return after the event.
Local rental companies are often a good option because they can provide delivery and pickup, help determine quantities, and offer several styles of tables and chairs in one order. This can be especially helpful when you’re planning an event for dozens or hundreds of guests and need everything delivered to a venue at the same time.
Depending on your event, you may also find tables and chairs through party rental companies, wedding rental companies, equipment rental businesses, or venues that maintain their own inventory. However, availability, styles, delivery options, and minimum order requirements can vary considerably between providers.
What Types of Tables and Chairs Can You Rent?
Event rental companies typically offer several table and chair styles so you can choose options that fit your event, venue, and budget. For a backyard party or casual gathering, basic folding chairs and banquet tables may be all you need. Weddings, corporate events, and more formal occasions may call for upgraded chairs, round dining tables, cocktail tables, or specialty furniture.
Some of the most common rental options include:
- Folding chairs – An affordable and versatile choice for parties, ceremonies, meetings, and large events.
- Resin chairs – A more polished option commonly used for weddings, ceremonies, and formal events.
- Chiavari chairs – A decorative event chair often used for weddings, galas, and upscale receptions.
- Banquet tables – Rectangular tables commonly available in 6-foot and 8-foot sizes for dining, food service, gifts, registration, and displays.
- Round tables – Popular for wedding receptions, dinners, and other seated events where guests are grouped together.
- Cocktail tables – Tall tables that work well for cocktail hours, receptions, networking events, and areas where guests will be standing and socializing.
You don’t necessarily need to use the same table or chair throughout the entire event. For example, a wedding might use rows of chairs for the ceremony, round tables for the reception, banquet tables for food and gifts, and cocktail tables near the bar.
How Much Does It Cost to Rent Tables and Chairs?
he cost to rent tables and chairs depends on the style of furniture, the number of guests, the length of the rental, and whether delivery or setup services are needed. Basic folding tables and chairs are generally the most affordable options, while upgraded chairs and specialty tables will cost more.
When comparing rental companies, look beyond the individual price of each chair or table. Delivery charges, minimum order requirements, setup and breakdown fees, damage waivers, and other charges can all affect the final cost of the rental.
Your guest count also makes a significant difference. A small birthday party may only require a few tables and a couple dozen chairs, while a wedding or corporate event for 150 guests could require multiple table styles and well over 100 chairs.
If you’re planning a wedding specifically, we have a separate guide covering how much it costs to rent chairs for a wedding, including typical chair styles and the factors that affect wedding chair rental pricing.
How Many Tables and Chairs Do You Need?
Your guest count is the starting point for determining how many tables and chairs to rent, but the final number also depends on the type of event and how the space will be used.
For seated events, you will generally need at least one chair for every guest who will be seated at the same time. Table quantities depend on the size and shape of the tables you choose. A 60-inch round table, for example, is commonly used for groups of approximately eight guests, while rectangular banquet tables can be arranged in several different configurations depending on the event.
Remember to account for tables that aren’t being used for guest seating. Depending on the event, you may need additional tables for food and beverages, gifts, desserts, registration, vendors, displays, a DJ, or other event activities.
It can also be helpful to have a small number of extra chairs available, particularly when the final guest count is uncertain. A local rental company can help you estimate quantities based on your expected attendance, venue layout, and the type of event you’re planning.
For additional help planning table layouts and guest seating, The Knot offers a helpful guide to wedding seating arrangements and table configurations.
Should You Rent or Buy Tables and Chairs?
For most one-time events, renting tables and chairs makes more sense than purchasing them. Buying may seem inexpensive when looking at the price of a single folding chair or table, but the cost increases quickly when you need enough furniture for dozens or hundreds of guests.
Renting also eliminates the need to transport, store, clean, and maintain the furniture after the event. Instead, the rental company can prepare the equipment for your event and, when delivery service is selected, bring it to the venue and pick it up afterward.
Purchasing tables and chairs may make sense for organizations, churches, venues, or businesses that host events frequently and have adequate storage space. For occasional parties, weddings, corporate events, and other gatherings, renting is usually the more practical option.
What Should You Look for in a Table and Chair Rental Company?
Price is important, but it shouldn’t be the only factor when choosing where to rent tables and chairs. The rental company will be responsible for providing equipment that your guests will actually use, so reliability, condition, and service matter too.
Before placing an order, consider:
- Inventory and selection – Make sure the company has the table and chair styles you want in sufficient quantities for your event.
- Equipment condition – Rental furniture should arrive clean, maintained, and ready to use.
- Delivery and pickup options – Confirm whether the company delivers to your venue and how delivery and pickup are scheduled.
- Setup and breakdown services – If you don’t want to handle hundreds of chairs or multiple tables yourself, ask whether setup and breakdown are available.
- Transparent pricing – Find out about delivery charges, minimums, damage waivers, setup fees, and other costs before booking.
- Availability for your event date – Popular inventory can book well in advance, especially during busy wedding and event seasons.
- Local service and communication – Having a rental company you can actually reach becomes particularly important when you’re coordinating an event on a deadline.
It’s also a good idea to reserve your rentals once your event date, venue, and approximate guest count are established. Waiting until the last minute can limit the styles and quantities available, particularly for larger events.
Where Can You Rent Tables and Chairs in Chattanooga?
If you’re planning an event in Chattanooga or the surrounding area, T3E Rentals provides table and chair rentals for parties, weddings, corporate events, expos, and other gatherings throughout Southeast Tennessee and nearby communities.
Our inventory includes folding chairs, resin chairs, Chiavari chairs, banquet tables, round tables, cocktail tables, and other event rental equipment. Whether you’re planning a backyard party for a few dozen guests or coordinating a larger wedding or corporate event, you can build your rental order around the size and style of your event.
T3E Rentals also offers delivery throughout the Chattanooga area, helping customers avoid the hassle of transporting large quantities of tables and chairs themselves. Additional event rentals such as linens, pipe and drape, catering equipment, stanchions, and other event essentials can also be combined into the same rental order.
You can browse our available table and chair rentals online or request a custom quote if you need help determining quantities or putting together a larger event rental package.
Can You Pick Up Rental Tables and Chairs Yourself?
Some event rental companies allow customers to pick up and return tables and chairs themselves, while others primarily offer delivery. Customer pickup can be a good way to reduce delivery costs for smaller orders if you have a vehicle or trailer large enough to transport the equipment safely.
Before choosing pickup, consider how much space the rental equipment will actually require. A few folding chairs may be easy to transport, but dozens of chairs and several banquet or round tables can take up considerably more room than expected.
Delivery can make more sense for larger events, particularly when you’re already coordinating a venue, vendors, food, decorations, and other event-day logistics. Ask your rental company about both options so you can compare the convenience and cost for your particular order.
Rent Tables and Chairs for Your Next Event
Finding where to rent tables and chairs doesn’t have to be complicated. Start with your event date, venue, estimated guest count, and the type of seating and tables you need. From there, a local event rental company can help you determine quantities, coordinate delivery or pickup, and make sure the equipment you need is available for your event.
If you’re planning a party, wedding, corporate event, expo, or other gathering in Chattanooga or the surrounding area, T3E Rentals can help you put together the right rental package for your event.
Browse our table and chair rentals or request a custom quote to get started.