What you need for a home and living fair

A home and living fair needs more than display tables. You’ll need a clear registration point, practical equipment for exhibitors, safe cable management and enough seating for visitors and conversations. Plan furniture by function: display, registration, demonstrations and lounge areas. Order printed materials, badges and signage early, because last-minute printing is one of the easiest details to overlook. Use this list alongside the event plan to check what must be bought, hired or collected before opening day.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Tablesqty 32
Chairsqty 80
Registration desk
Bar stoolsqty 12
Lounge sofasqty 8
Lounge armchairsqty 12
Side tablesqty 12
Display wallsqty 48
Brochure standsqty 24
Clothes racksqty 6
Folding tripodsqty 12
Bollardsqty 10

Equipment

Laptopsqty 4
Tabletsqty 4
Printersqty 2
Card machinesqty 4
Extension cordsqty 20
Power stripsqty 16
Cable reelsqty 6
Projector
Projection screen
Speakersqty 2
Microphonesqty 2
Mixer
Handheld scannersqty 2

Decorations

Buntingqty 8
Plantsqty 24
Vasesqty 12
Cushionsqty 30
Tableclothsqty 32
Photo wallsqty 2
Poster standsqty 12
Name badge holdersqty 50

Lighting

LED spotlightsqty 16
String lightsqty 8
Desk lampsqty 12
Emergency lightsqty 4

Tableware

Glassesqty 120
Coffee cupsqty 80
Platesqty 100
Forksqty 100
Knivesqty 100
Spoonsqty 100
Serving traysqty 12

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 3
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 8

Cleaning

Vacuum cleanersqty 2
Mopsqty 4
Bucketsqty 4
Waste binsqty 18
Hand soap dispensersqty 8

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 6 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 4 boxes
- Green tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Cocoa powder - 1 pack
- Sugar - 3 kilos
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Whole milk - 12 liters
- Semi-skimmed milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 8 liters
- Soy milk - 4 liters
- Whipping cream - 8 spray cans
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 6 bottles
- Ginger beer - 6 bottles
- Spa Blue - 10 crates
- Spa Red - 6 crates
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Orange juice - 8 packs
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Lemons - 3 kilos
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Bananas - 6 kilos
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Mandarins - 5 kilos
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 5 kilo
- Carrots - 4 kilos
- Bell peppers - 3 kilos
- Hummus - 12 tubs
- Cream cheese - 8 tubs
- Young cheese - 4 kilos
- Aged cheese - 3 kilo
- Brie - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilos
- Plain hummus - 8 tubs
- Peanut butter - 3 jars
- Strawberry jam - 3 jars
- Wholemeal bread - 18 loaves
- White bread - 12 loaves
- Multigrain sandwiches - 180 pieces
- Croissants - 120 pieces
- Currant buns - 80 pieces
- Mini wraps - 120 pieces
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Tortilla chips - 8 bags
- Savory crackers - 10 packs
- Rice cakes - 8 packs
- Muesli bars - 120 pieces
- Mini brownies - 100 pieces
- Mini muffins - 100 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilos
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic powder - 1 jar
- Napkins - 1000 pieces
- Paper cups - 500 pieces
- Paper plates - 400 pcs
- Wooden stirrers - 500 pieces
- Teaspoons - 300 pieces
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 packs
- All-purpose cleaner - 6 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 4 bottles
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 12 packs
- Sponges - 20 pieces

Tips

Set up the registration desk with a laptop or tablet, printer, badges and a card machine at least one day before the fair. Test every device and keep spare extension cords and power strips nearby.
Allow roughly one table, display wall or clothes rack for each exhibitor space, then add at least 10% extra furniture for replacements and late changes. Confirm the final exhibitor count before placing the order.
Create a cable plan before delivery: use cable reels for long runs, power strips at work areas and bollards or other barriers where visitors could cross cables. Keep walkways clear from the first setup hour.
Prepare printed maps, stand numbers, house rules and directional signs before exhibitors arrive. Have at least one spare copy of each key sign and keep a digital version on the registration laptop.
Plan a small rest area with lounge sofas or armchairs, side tables, cushions and plants rather than mixing visitor seating into exhibitor displays. Check the layout after furniture delivery so aisles remain accessible.

Frequently asked questions

What furniture do I need for a home and living fair?: Plan tables, display walls, brochure stands or clothes racks according to each exhibitor’s display needs. Add a registration desk, chairs and a separate lounge area, plus around 10% spare furniture for damage or last-minute changes.
How much event equipment should I bring?: Provide at least one working laptop or tablet at registration, one printer and one card machine, then add a spare device if registration is busy. Count power points for every stand and bring extra extension cords, power strips and cable reels rather than relying on the venue’s layout.
When should I print badges, maps and signage?: Print badges after registration details and exhibitor names are checked, ideally several days before opening. Finish maps, stand numbers and directional signs at least 48 hours before setup so errors can still be corrected.
How do I keep cables safe at a home and living fair?: Route cables along walls or behind displays wherever possible, and cover or barrier every cable that crosses a visitor route. Complete a cable check before doors open and repeat it after exhibitors finish connecting their equipment.

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