A Guide to Choosing Best Trade Show Furniture

If you can capture an eye, you can open a mind. It should come as no surprise that businesses that want to publicize their services and products use trade show marketing as the go-to option. It’s a great investment of money and time that yields even better returns. Making sure to use the best trade show furniture at your trade show is an essential piece of the promotional puzzle at your upcoming event, and this guide to choosing trade show furniture should help you select the best options.

Choosing the best trade show furniture for your display can be the make or break in achieving the level of marketing returns you need for your investment. With that being said, let’s explore the ins and outs of choosing the best trade show furniture that will deliver service and style. It’ll help you create that wow-factor that will leave a lasting impression on your clients, regardless of the occasion. 

Types of Trade Show Furniture

Here’s a breakdown of the different categories to choose from, depending on your needs and requirements. 

Display Kiosks and Counters 

These are the anchor of strong trade show booth designs. The operations for your entire showcase revolve around display kiosks and counters. They aid in the provision of an interaction area for any attendees to your exhibit area, which exposes your brand and company message. 

Exhibitors need to use the best trade show furniture to make sure they create a space that allows clients to comfortably discuss their products and services.

A counter or kiosk is the natural center of attention for gathering people at a trade show booth or bar. They deliver a home base for that interaction. All the attention makes this type of trade show furniture invaluable in real estate. You can use it to your advantage with a personalized exhibit counter. A myriad of our display kiosks and counters come with customization options to pair well with your brand. 

Portable Tables 

They not only increase dimension to your space but also deliver sufficient room to display your merchandise. Some styles, such as cocktail tables, help to create areas that enhance conversation which is ideal for connecting with exhibitors in a more meaningful manner. These cocktail tables can offer optional branded tops and cell phone charging stations, convenient for your customers after a long day at the event.

Portable tables are not only a breeze to transport thus allowing you to take your brand anywhere but also assemble and disassemble. So, you can bring them along for all your trade shows without incurring additional costs of roping in staff to setup. 

Moreover, they’re designed to be reused as many times as you deem necessary. For a polished look, our portable tables are easily customized to suit your needs. After all, you don’t get a second chance to make a great first impression. You have free rein to choose an eye-catching design, color scheme, and material that revolves around the needs of your brand. 


Some of the most popular materials from which you can take your pick are vinyl, wood, and glass. Nonetheless, you can get a custom printed tablecloth that ushers in an on-brand and stellar booth. 

Trade Show Chairs and Seating 

These are a sight for sore eyes for trade show attendees that are knackered. The best trade show furniture includes a dedicated lounge area guaranteed to usher in an inviting ambiance for people to sit down and relax. 

For a more polished look, you can take your pick from our high class rental furniture, all of which can be customized to gel with your brand.

an example of a custom booth made by a trade show exhibit booth manufacturer

Display Towers and Cases 

These come in handy sizes, some meant to attract attention across the entire event, and smaller versions designed to bring your merchandise up to eye level, giving attendees enhanced visibility. Contrary to the generic displays found at retail stores, the best trade show furniture includes trade show display towers and cases designed with easy disassembly and setup in mind. So, you can pack them up in a jiffy, into the accompanying shipping case, and transport them to their respective destination. 

Tips for Selecting the Best Trade Show Furniture 

After spending hours on end crafting their display and graphics, a multitude of people throws dull, stock furniture into their booth spaces in a bid to cut down costs. Keep in mind, that rigid chair ushering in discomfort or chipped brown table, is simply unacceptable. 

It’s time to invest in the best trade show furniture that will turn potential customers into real clients. So, we’ve rounded up a few factors to consider that will steer you in the right direction when choosing trade show furniture for your next event. 

Seating 

Whether you choose to use pop-out banners, outdoor banner stands, or trade show booths, showcasing is an uphill task for the team members coordinating the exhibition. So, making sure your outdoor display includes sufficient seating for your team and attendees is a necessity. 

Seating spaces in outdoor displays come in handy for taking much-needed breaks. We suggest choosing chairs and couches that strike the perfect balance between comfort and aesthetics. Refrain from prioritizing function over form. Pick furniture that can easily be reconfigured after tea breaks for potential clients to lounge on as they chat with your team.

Uniqueness 

The furniture you select should excellently mirror your brand from the displays of your rivals. Choose the best trade show furniture so that it helps your booth and presentation to form a lasting impression and to lure in potential customers to your booth. It should exude uniqueness with a touch of elegance. All other accessories should be in pristine condition, inviting, and practical. 

The quality of the trade show furniture you settle for makes all the difference in bringing awareness to your prospects about your brand. With furniture that makes your display seem like it was set up on a shoestring budget, you’re kick-starting your exhibition for failure, before you get the ball rolling. 

Nonetheless, trade show furniture doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. There’s a boatload of options that can be perfectly customized to reflect your brand while capturing the attention of your rivals in the business. Budget for a couple of pricier items to compliment your brand and infuse glamour to your display stand. 


choosing trade show furniture - consider RENTAL Furniture too

RENTAL Modified RE-9049. Includes Tower with Locking Counter, (2) Double-Sided Graphic Kiosks, and RE-1205 Large Reception Counter with Locking Door and Interior Shelf


Theme 

We recommend having a different theme for each trade show you attend. Showcasing a certain theme sets you apart from the pack. It strikes a chord with the attendees long after the show ends, regardless of whether your theme is futuristic, classic, natural, retro, or antique, select furniture that compliments it, remarkably. 

Choose furniture with the ideal branding, color, décor, and finishing that cohesively links your theme to the prospective clients. Consider a uniform and eye-catching theme throughout the display stand to capture attention. 

Storage Spaces 

A myriad of exhibition venues doesn’t have practical storage units or spaces. Therefore, opt for trade show furniture that comes with reasonable storage spaces. They deliver an ingeniously built workable storage solutions and usher in smooth exhibitions activities. 

Items such as gift bags, brochures, additional stock, and stationery should be discreetly stored and easily accessible as need be. Moreover, select furniture with storage spaces to ascertain that exhibitors aren’t held liable for damages and injuries that may arise. 

By investing in topnotch quality furniture, you protect the image of your brand by making sure potential customers aren’t irked by unsightly clutter in your booth. Lastly, choose furniture that delivers unmatched security for valuables such as laptops, tablets, and smartphones.

Display Type 

It’s based on two factors. Firstly, your preferred display method and secondly, whether you prefer having attendees outside or inside your stand. With that being said, the best trade show furniture achieves your goal by controlling traffic, blocking or facilitating easy access to your tent. If you’re selling from your exhibit booth, restrict passers-by from accessing your products by setting up your display tables around the outer edge. Doing so allows you to freely move within your stand while showcasing your products or services. The furniture you opt for should facilitate intensive or light display methods depending on your preference. 

Comfort 

You want your attendees to enter your space and be comfortable. After traversing the aisles of the trade show, resting on a comfortable chair, bar stool, or couch, is just what the doctor ordered. Moreover, buys you more time to do what you do best; pitch to your potential clients. 

10x20 Inline Booth with Rental Furniture RE-2111b


Trade Show Furniture: Inside or Outside the Exhibit Booth?

Do your displays take time for people to examine? Then we recommend designing your exhibit space to cater to attendees that step into the booth area. So, position your trade show furniture around the edges and leave the front space open to make the booth welcoming. 

Allowing passers-by to step in will lure them out of the flow of traffic. In turn, this gives you the chance to interact better with them. Using your space to lure in attendees is a great benefit if you want people to take the time and patience to check out your displays, air their views, ask questions, and be immersed. 

Keep in mind that it’s a show which means you won’t have them for an extended duration. Therefore, position your displays at appropriate heights to avoid forcing your audience to crouch down for a better view. Position everything for enhanced handling and viewing. 

If you plan to sell products and services from your booth, it’s advisable to restrict casual passers-by easy access to items in your exhibit booth. If this is the case, set up your display tables on the outer edge to provide ample space to move around freely as you showcase your products. 

Regardless of whether you are choosing trade show furniture to place outside or inside the exhibit booth, keep in mind, cramming everything together in a small space creates an aura of sensory overload. Instead, ensure every display depicts your wares in an eye-catching manner and has a focus. Remember, less is more. 

Why Trade Show Furniture Shouldn't Just Be an Afterthought

When ranking the importance of your furniture, it needs to rank right up there with the importance of the graphics and signage you choose to use. Trade show furniture is starting to become front and center of an exhibit display and can serve as a traffic builder as well as an alternative to some types of signage. 

When choosing the best trade show furniture for your trade show event, you are creating a selling environment that will appeal to more potential customers within your target audience. So, instead of the furniture being just an afterthought in trade show planning, it needs to be an important consideration when it comes to the overall concept design of your exhibit display. 

Form Follows Function

Before you go out and purchase brand new furnishings, you have to consider the type of interactions you will have to determine the kind of functionality you will need to have with your trade show furniture. 

Do you need a seating area for potential customers to sit down and view a digital presentation? Maybe you need a tabletop or counter where attendees can discuss options regarding the products you are offering.

Location

Location is also important when you are considering what trade show furniture to purchase or rent. If you don't have the right layout for your display, it can stop attendees from visiting. Overcrowding is something you need to avoid, so there is plenty of room for attendees to stop by and roam around. 

Branded Furniture

How important is it to have branded furniture for a trade show event? It really doesn't matter whether or not the furniture you choose is branded. What is important is that the trade show furniture you choose is reflective of your company brand as well as your image and style. So, if you have a luxury brand, you want something top of the line representing this. 

Closing Remarks

Trade show furniture is an ideal way of infusing your brand's personal touch while providing a comfortable and welcoming space for your prospective customers. By taking the time to select the best options for you, your business is well on its way to raking in the profits you once dreamed of. If you’re uncertain of the furniture and whether to rent or buy, our team of experts is always one phone call away. 

Custom 10x20 with Trade Show Furniture Shown - DM VK-2068


Trade Show Furniture FAQ

Let's take a quick look now at some of the more frequently asked questions regarding trade show furniture and what you should have for your next trade show event.

Why is trade show furniture important?

When you fill a space with trade show furniture, you need to make sure it goes well with the layout and exhibit design. When you do this, it further adds to the display and creates a more inviting space that will be much more memorable to trade show attendees. 

Can you bring your own furniture?

Yes, you can bring your own furniture to a trade show event, but you will be limited to how much furniture you can actually get into the booth space, depending on the size. You can also choose to pack and ship trade show furniture and have it sent to the exhibit, or you can choose to rent trade show furniture. 

What features are important for your custom-tailored designs?

Custom-tailored designs are good for bringing your display together and keeping everything cohesive. Many people want to exhibit unique furniture and one of a kind so that they are more memorable to attendees. When choosing trade show furniture, you want to make sure it is consistent with your brand, sends the right message, and allows your display to shine through and set your booth apart from the competition.