There are lots of ways to add some unconventional outdoor seating to your event, including some that can truly wow your guests. From unusual seating options like picnic benches to non-traditional wedding layouts, here we explore 15 alternative seating possibilities.
Traditional Seating with Unconventional Seating Layouts
There is so much more choice available for your event than limewash Chiavari chairs for outdoor weddings or folding lawn chairs for outdoor garden parties, but you could argue that these are classics for a reason. Depending on the theme for your event and whether you are looking to keep it traditional, or whether you want it to be more personalised and fun, you could definitely investigate all the various banquet chairs, cross-back chairs, and other traditional outdoor furniture hire options available. You could also choose to go all-out traditional and line the outdoor chairs in neat rows, or you could experiment with some non-traditional event seating ideas such as an amphitheatre-style layout, a swirly loop layout, a double arch layout (two disconnected circles with an aisle in the middle) or a seating chart using various chair bunches.
Swap Traditional for Contemporary Event Chairs
If you are looking for something unique but not too unconventional then hiring some alternative wedding and event chairs might be for you. Ghost chairs, King Louis XVI chairs, and mismatched vintage dining chairs have been used in garden seating areas and at outdoor event venues successfully for years, but as they are still not the norm it is sure to impress your guests without too much hassle to you.
You Can’t Beat Folding Chairs
For a typical event outside such as an open-air theatre show, you could use a chair trolley full of steel, or upholstered folding chairs, but if you were looking for something a bit more unique and cheerful, you might decide to choose from rattan folding chairs, wicker folding chairs, slotted folding chairs or wooden folding lawn chairs. More stylish, but with the same advantages as traditional event chairs (easy cleaning and storage, flexibility, easy to move). These neutral outdoor chairs will suit pretty much any event theme!
Relax in Deck Chairs
No other outdoor seat conjures up beach vibes like the traditional deck chair. Perfectly suited to outdoor events; from summer fetes, city beach events, and outdoor cinema showings to festival weddings, these British icons create a casual, relaxed atmosphere and are easy to set up and move around – that’s why they’re our favourite! With deck chair hire being a lot cheaper than other non-traditional event seating options, they are also great for event budgets. And, as for style options, you can choose from the vintage, striped, wooden folding deck chair type we know well, modern metal deck chairs, or create a moment for your guests with large deck chairs for hire.
Images: Deck Chair Wedding Drinks as seen on Dolly’s Vintage Party, Spiral Wedding Ceremony Layout as seen on Wedding Bee, Ghost Chairs as seen on Forbes, Folding Wedding Chairs as seen on Brides.com, and Lines of Deck Chairs Close Up by Decked Out.
Try Camping Folding Chairs for Practicality
Camping seats have long been practical, easy to transport, and comfy outdoor chairs. Perfect for glamping weddings, camping-style festivals, outdoor barbecues, and garden parties, these versatile chairs are easy to find, set up, and store. Plus, your guests can even bring their own without ruining the vibe! Catering to a wide range of event themes, camping chairs come in a range of styles including a corporate-style outdoor event chair, a casual folding camping chair, or a bistro-style Plein air chair.
Mix It Up by Adding Seating Covers
Chair covers are used often and at all types of events but it doesn’t mean you can’t be creative. Whether you want to mix up styles, fabrics, colours, or chair layouts, there is plenty to work with. You can find a chair cover to match any outdoor theme as they can be made from lycra, scuba, satin, and polyester. If when presented with such a choice, you’re unsure which option to choose, you can depend on traditional Chiavari chair covers and universal seat covers as they look classy whether plain or decorated with ribbon bows, flowers, fabric bunting, or anything you like.
Maintain Flexibility with Stacking Chairs
If you are looking for something traditional but not as fancy as Chiavari chairs, then poly, resin, wicker, or aluminium stacking chairs might be what you’re after. They stack easily and can be wheeled into place on chair trolleys back and forth to suit the needs of your event throughout the day. These easy chairs are available for hire or you can even purchase them for not too much money, making them an ideal budget option you can use again and again.
Images: Folding Camping Chairs at a Festival as seen on The Festivals, Wedding Couple Enjoying Deck Chairs on the Beach as seen on The Waterside, Decorated Wedding Seat Covers as seen on Chair Cover for Wedding, and Vintage School Style Wooden Chairs from Peppermill Interiors.
Create an Al Fresco Experience with Bistro Chairs
If you like the idea of stacking chairs for your event garden seating area but are after a more stylish look, then cafe-style bistro chairs might be exactly what your outdoor event needs. From patio chairs and English garden chairs to bentwood cafe chairs, padded chairs, and tolix steel french bistro chairs, you’re sure to get that al fresco garden party vibe you’re after, especially if you arrange them around matching cafe tables.
Arranging Chairs for Smaller Events
From a semi-circle arch layout for small acoustic gigs to an inner circle chair layout to encourage guest participation at intimate wedding ceremonies, there are plenty of ways to arrange your outdoor dining chairs, garden seats, deck chairs, or cushions so that you can pleasantly surprise your guests with a warm, welcoming, fun space. Why not try a classroom or herringbone layout for small conferences and presentations, a lounge layout for reception drinks, or paired chair bunches for small cinema events?
Choose Eco-friendly, Nature-inspired Seating Ideas
If you are looking to host a green, environmentally-conscious event or a nature wedding, you might find tree stumps to be the perfect alternative outdoor seating option to traditional garden stools. Perfect for a rustic event theme, they are easy to come by, easy to arrange, weather-proof, eco-friendly, cheap, and cute. So, there are lots of reasons to add this rustic seating option to your big event. And, as tree stumps can be cut into adult or child sizes, they are also perfect for festival crafts or forest school-type activities. However, if log seating isn’t the right fit for your outdoor event, why not consider hay bales and throws for that perfect countryside-themed festival, barn dance, or wedding outside?
Consider Upcycled Outdoor Seating Options
If you want to be eco-conscious, but perhaps have more comfortable seating, then upcycled outdoor chairs such as pallets with cushions or mismatched vintage chairs might be the ideal fit for the outdoor seating area at your event. Visit your local tip site, ask your friends and family and look on freecycle sites, salvage fairs, and online marketplaces to source your various outdoor seats. For an extra cosy, romantic feel, consider a mix of loveseats and chairs.
Images: Bistro Seating at Outdoor Wedding and Bistro Chairs as featured on Hitched, Bistro Chairs at a Rustic Wedding as sourced from Taylor E Photography, Small Wedding Seat Layout shown on Hitched, Hay Bale Seating as seen on Wedding Spot, Upcycled Vintage Deck Chairs by Decked Out, and Mismatched Wedding Reception Chairs as seen on The Knot.
Swap Chairs for Benches and Pews
From a rustic outdoor wedding to a fun-filled family picnic event, lines of garden benches and pews with seat cushions are a cool way to add outdoor seating with a difference. Easy to get hold of, relatively cheap, and with no need to match each other. Wooden pews and benches can serve as an alternate outdoor viewing solution for any outdoor event. Or, if it is outdoor dining chairs you require, opt for cool, contemporary picnic benches for the perfect picnic wedding, spring fair, or food festival.
Take Your Seating to the Floor
A way to spruce up any garden party, screening, community picnic event, or picnic wedding is to lay picnic blankets, rugs, outdoor seat cushions, or colourful bean bags on the floor for some relaxed outdoor floor seating. Super easy to achieve, relatively cheap, and with no need for heavy lifting or complex event or wedding table plans, this alternative relaxed seating option is a great way to transform any outdoor seating area.
Use Low Outdoor Seating Options
If sitting on the floor isn’t for you, you can go a little higher up with some large, comfortable outdoor floor cushions, poufs, ottomans, or charpai seating. This is a great option for bright, colourful, and quirky party themes, but you can also go with natural colours for more formal events like a garden, field, yurt, or tipi wedding.
Impress with Big Budget Event Seating Ideas
If you have the outdoor event space and a bigger event budget, why not overwhelm your guests with impressive teepee beds, garden pods, outdoor igloos, hanging teardrop chairs, or standing egg chairs? They are sure to make your event stand out for all the right reasons.
Images: Elegant Wedding Bench Seating as seen on Hitched, Floor Seating Arrangement as featured on Shaadi Wish, Charpai Low Seating as mentioned on Cultural Event Rentals, and Hanging Teardrop Event Chair as shown on House Beautiful.
Feeling inspired by our 15 outdoor event seating ideas? We hope so. Whether you choose to rent garden furniture or hire folding chairs, arrange your event chairs in rows or a spiral, we hope you find the perfect seating option for your event. For more inspiration, check out our recommended blogs below, or for more information about deck chairs, get in touch today.
