Folding tables and stacking chairs are commonly seen at conferences, weddings, banquets and other events where the furniture plan is only temporary.
They can be set up quickly and cleared away even more quickly, for example to make room for evening entertainment or dancing.
Folding tables store away easily even in small storerooms, as the trestle table top folds flat against the legs.
Equally, stacking chairs take up very little room in storage, as their stackable design means they sit snugly on top of each other.
Here are some examples of folding furniture that makes great banquet, wedding or conference furniture.
Stacking tables
Square and rectangular stacking tables don't fold - they stack. But the principle is the same, and allows a larger number of tables to be transported and stored more easily.
They have the appearance of normal tables complete with fixed-position legs, so they can make a good choice if you need to leave the tables visible rather than covering them with a floor-length tablecloth.
Folding trestle tables
Trestle tables can have a wood or plastic top, and are usually rectangular in shape with folding legs that lock into place.
Folding trestle tables offer sturdy support once erected, with the convenience of folding away into a very small amount of space.
They can also be quite large in surface area, so they make an excellent option for banqueting furniture when you need to seat large groups of people at single tables.
Banqueting tables
Banqueting tables are usually round and are a popular choice for wedding furniture, usually hidden under a long tablecloth.
They can be used with banqueting chairs for a luxurious look, either using the aesthetic of the chairs' own metal and bright upholstery, or using seat covers to achieve a specific look.
Stacking chairs
Many banqueting chairs of the type mentioned above are also stacking chairs, allowing them to be stored away in tall stacks with minimal floor footprint area needed.
The safe number of chairs you can stack depends on the model of chair, but it's usually possible to store a good number of stacking chairs on the one same spot.
It's also handy to have a small stack of chairs out where people can grab one if they need to, if it's appropriate to do so at your event.
You might be surprised to learn that stacking chairs can have arms - for example, our Buckingham aluminium stacking chairs include padded arms yet still stack snugly up to ten chairs high.
Chair and table trolleys
Last but by no means least, don't forget to invest in a stacking chair trolley or a trestle table trolley to safely and easily move your furniture around your venue.
Chair trolleys have two wheels - just roll in under a stack of chairs, tilt the trolley back onto its wheels, and away you go in an instant.
Trestle table trolleys roll flat on four wheels, and you just stack your banqueting tables on top, folded flat, before pushing the trolley to wherever you need it.
You can also get round table trolleys. Round folding tables are carried on their side, with a padded trolley base to protect their edges and a containing cage to keep them safely upright as you transport them into place.