🪑 How Many Chairs Do I Need for a Party?

A simple guide for Pittsburgh & South Hills events

One of the most common questions we get at Ken’s Party Rentals is:

“How many chairs should I rent for my party?”

Whether you’re planning a graduation party in Scott Township, a backyard birthday in Bethel Park, or a family reunion in Upper St. Clair, figuring out the right amount of seating can feel a little confusing.

Order too many chairs and you waste money.Order too few and your guests are left standing.

Let’s make it easy.

The Golden Rule for Party Seating

A good starting point is this simple formula:

👉 Plan for a chair for about 80–90% of your guest count.

Why not 100%?

At most parties, not everyone is sitting at the same time. Some guests are:

• Standing and talking

• Playing games

• Getting food

• Hanging out at high-top tables

But there are important exceptions, which we’ll cover below.

Chair Guidelines by Event Type

Different events require different seating plans. Here are some helpful South Hills party planning guidelines:

🎓 Graduation Parties & Open Houses

These are very popular events here in Pittsburgh and the South Hills.

• Guests come and go

• People mingle

• Not everyone eats at the same time

Recommended chairs:👉 About 75–85% of your total guest list

Example:If you expect 100 guests throughout the day, around 80 chairs is usually perfect.

🍔 Backyard Parties & BBQs

For casual get-togethers like birthdays, cookouts, or block parties:

Recommended chairs:👉 Around 80% of guests

This gives you plenty of seating without overcrowding your yard.

👰 Weddings, Banquets, or Sit-Down Events

These are different.

If you’re hosting:

• Outdoor weddings

• Anniversary parties

• Team banquets

• Seated dinners

You should plan on:

👉 One chair per guest – no exceptions

For formal events, every person needs a dedicated seat.

Don’t Forget Extra Chairs!

Over the years delivering rentals all around Pittsburgh—from Mt. Lebanon to Dormont to Bridgeville—we’ve noticed something:

Guest lists almost always grow.

Neighbors stop by.Family brings a friend.Cousins you didn’t expect show up.

That’s why we always recommend:

👉 Renting 5–10 extra chairs just to be safe.

A few extra white folding chairs are much better than scrambling at the last minute!

Matching Chairs with Tables

Seating isn’t just about chairs—you also need the right number of tables.

At Ken’s Party Rentals, we offer:

• 6-foot tables

• 8-foot tables

• White folding chairs

• Black or white linens

Here’s a quick guide:

• A 6-foot table seats about 6 people comfortably

• An 8-foot table seats about 8 people comfortably

So if you rent:

• 5 tables → plan for about 30–40 chairs

• 10 tables → plan for about 60–80 chairs

We’re always happy to help you plan the perfect layout for your yard or venue.

Real-Life Example

Let’s say you’re hosting a graduation party in the South Hills and expect around 60 guests.

A great setup would be:

• 48–54 chairs

• 6 to 8 tables

• A 10’x10’ canopy tent over the food area

• A cornhole set for entertainment

That gives you comfortable seating while keeping things relaxed and fun.

Need Help Planning Your Party?

Figuring out exactly what you need can feel overwhelming—especially if you don’t plan parties every day.

That’s where we come in!

At Ken’s Party Rentals, we proudly serve Pittsburgh and the South Hills with:

• Clean, sturdy white folding chairs

• 6 ft and 8 ft tables

• Black and white linens

• 10’x10’ canopy tents

• Corn hole sets

• Outdoor movie screen and projector setups

  
  

We’ve helped families and organizations all over:

• Scott Township

• Mt. Lebanon

• Bethel Park

• Upper St. Clair

• Bridgeville

• Carnegie

• Greentree

• And all surrounding Pittsburgh communities

  
  

Let Us Make It Easy

If you’re not sure how many chairs you need, just reach out!

Tell us:

• The type of event

• Estimated guest count

• Your location

…and we’ll help you figure out the perfect rental package.

Ready to Reserve Chairs for Your Party?

📞 Call or Text: (412) 667-2329🌐 Website: kenspartyrentals.com

From small backyard parties to large South Hills celebrations, we’re here to help make your event comfortable, organized, and stress-free.

Ken’s Party Rentals – Your party, our priority.