What to buy for a laboratory open house

A laboratory open house needs more than coffee and presentation equipment. Visitors may move between demonstrations, tasting stations, information boards, and restricted areas, so your shopping list must cover both hospitality and safety. Plan tableware for the registered guests plus a small reserve, and check every demonstration before buying consumables. Safety goggles, lab coats, clear route signs, and working extension leads are easy to arrange too late.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 12
Chairsqty 90
Reception desk
Stoolsqty 12
Waste binsqty 8

Tableware

Coffee cupsqty 100
Glassesqty 100
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Serving traysqty 12

Equipment

Kettlesqty 3
Coffee machinesqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Laptopsqty 3
Projectorsqty 2
Projection screensqty 2
Speakersqty 2
Microphonesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 10

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Scissorsqty 4
Measuring cupsqty 6
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Serving spoonsqty 8
Coolersqty 4

Safety

Safety gogglesqty 40
Lab coatsqty 20
Fire extinguishersqty 2
Liquid collection traysqty 8
First aid kit

Decorations

Information boardsqty 12
Route arrowsqty 20
Presentation bannersqty 4
Tableclothsqty 12
Name badge holdersqty 10

Lighting

LED lampsqty 8

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Broomsqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Cleaning clothsqty 20
Hand soap dispensersqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 6 packs
- Tea - 6 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Chocolate milk - 6 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Ice cubes - 10 bags
- Mini water bottles - 100 pieces
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- White bread rolls - 100 pieces
- Mini croissants - 100 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilograms
- Mild cheese - 3 kilograms
- Aged cheese - 3 kilograms
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilogram
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Cream cheese - 2 kilograms
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Strawberry jam - 2 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Cucumber - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 4 kilogram
- Bell peppers - 3 kilograms
- Carrots - 3 kilogram
- Grapes - 5 kilograms
- Apples - 80 pieces
- Bananas - 60 pieces
- Mini muffins - 100 pieces
- Mini brownies - 100 pieces
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Snacks - 6 bags
- Rice cakes - 6 packs
- Gluten-free crackers - 4 packs
- Vegan cookies - 6 packs
- Nut-free cookies - 6 packs
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic powder - 1 jar
- Spice mix - 2 jars
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Garbage bags for glass - 20 pieces
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 box
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer gel - 8 bottles
- Liquid hand soap - 6 bottles
- Paper towels - 12 packs
- Nitrile gloves - 10 boxes
- Disposable cups - 150 pieces
- Disposable containers - 150 pieces
- Wooden stirrers - 300 pieces
- Coffee filters - 2 packs
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Labels - 200 pieces
- Waterproof Markers - 2 boxes
- Paper wristbands - 120 pieces
- Name stickers - 120 pieces

Tips

Plan tableware for every registered visitor, then add 10% spare cups, glasses, plates, and cutlery. This covers breakage, unexpected guests, and visitors who return for a second tasting.
Provide one pair of safety goggles and one lab coat per visitor entering a practical demonstration area. If equipment is shared, prepare at least 10% extra so a replacement is available immediately.
Use one reception desk, one attendance list, and enough badges for every registered visitor plus 10 spare badges. Keep scissors, pens, and the visitor worksheets at reception rather than in a separate room.
Allow at least one extension cord and one power strip for each presentation or demonstration zone, and bring two spare extension cords. Check cable lengths against the final room layout before the open house.
For a coffee or tasting station, prepare serving trays, serving spoons, measuring cups, mixing bowls, cutting boards, and kitchen knives in advance. Keep coolers available for any items that must remain chilled, and place waste bins beside the station.

Frequently asked questions

How many safety goggles do I need for a laboratory open house?: Prepare one pair for each visitor who enters a practical demonstration area, plus at least 10% spare. For 40 visitors, that means 44 goggles. Clean and inspect them before doors open.
How much tableware should I buy for a laboratory open house?: Use the confirmed registration count as your base and add 10% spare. For 50 visitors, plan 55 coffee cups, glasses, plates, and cutlery sets, adjusting the mix for the planned catering and tasting stations.
When should I buy supplies for a laboratory open house?: Buy reusable equipment and safety gear at least two weeks before the event so you can test it with the demonstrations. Purchase perishable tasting or catering supplies after registrations and dietary requirements are confirmed, preferably within the final week.
How many lab coats are needed for an open house?: Provide one lab coat for each visitor entering the laboratory area and keep at least 10% extra available. For 30 participants in the lab, prepare 33 coats, or use a larger stock if several tour groups overlap.

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