Event property managers have a lot on their plates: juggling bookings, managing staff, and ensuring every event runs seamlessly. But one thing that’s often overlooked until it’s too late? The state of your chairs and tables. That’s right—your furniture could be quietly sabotaging your property’s reputation.
Let’s face it: no one wants to attend a wedding reception where the table wobbles every time someone picks up a glass of champagne. And as funny as it is in movies, a collapsing chair isn’t a great way to endear guests to your venue.
Some furniture can be repaired and function well for another five years or more. Other pieces will need replacement. Still others may still be under warranty, so if you’re having problems with those, talk to our Customer Service team to explore your options. Attempting to repair furniture that’s still under warranty could void the warranty if the repairs don’t go as planned.
So, how do you know if it’s time to allocate some budget for new furniture? We’ve got you covered with this simple guide. With this guide and checklist, you can even assign staff members to do the tedious work of checking all furnishings according to your specifications.
Step 1: Spot the Warning Signs
Do a quick walkthrough of your venue and ask yourself the following questions about each piece of furniture. A team of employees can use this checklist to more rapidly assess the condition of furniture at your property.
Chair Condition Checklist
☐ Wobble Test: Do the legs feel uneven or unstable when you sit down?
☐ Creak Factor: Are your chairs auditioning for a horror movie with every squeak?
☐ Frame Appearance: Are there scratches or dents in the frame?
☐ Upholstery Check: Look for rips, stains, or any type of sticky residue.
☐ Weight Limit Concerns: Are the frames bending or bowing under normal use?
Table Condition Checklist
☐ Stability Check: Do the table legs or hinges feel loose? A wobbly table is a spill (and a lawsuit) waiting to happen.
☐ Surface Issues: Are there scratches, chips, or stains on surfaces or table legs? Scratches on linenless (laminate) tables are of particular concern since there won’t be tablecloths to hide problem areas.
☐ Warping: Look for uneven or warped table edges—these can make even the fanciest place settings look sloppy.
☐ Edges: Are tabletop edges smooth or are they peeling or cracked? Rough surfaces will damage tablecloths or (worse yet) snag your guests’ clothing.
Step 2: Make a List of Damaged Furniture
It’s time to get hands-on. Walk around your property and start building a list of furniture that doesn’t pass inspection. Some of this furniture can be repaired at your property, some may need cleaning, and some will need to be replaced. Here’s how to make a checklist for a detailed furniture inspection.
Inspecting Chairs
Your property will have more chairs than any other type of furniture. Go room by room, starting in the lobby or entry areas of your property and moving on to assembly rooms and furniture storage areas. Remember to assess the condition of outdoor furniture, benches, and lounge chairs.
Fix or Replace? What to Look for When Assessing Chairs
- Chair Stability. Test the stability by gently rocking each chair. Wobbling is a red flag for frame and structural damage. Sometimes, wobbliness is caused by a missing floor glide or a loose screw or bolt. If that’s the case, you’re in luck, because those things are simple and inexpensive to fix. Contact MityLite customer service for replacement parts. If a minor repair won’t fix the chair, the wobbliness is due to a damaged chair frame, and it’s time to purchase a replacement.
- Upholstery Condition. Check the state of all the upholstery. Chair seats generally get more spills and wear than chair backs, although the occasional spilled coffee has ruined many chair backs. Make sure that the fabric is free from rips, tears, and stains. If you notice a few chairs with problem areas, consider replacing those chairs or ordering new chair seats (if the chair model has a replaceable seat). Talk to a MityLite Sales Rep to learn more.
- Cushion Comfort. Inspect any seat or back cushions for wear. Is the foam still comfortable, or has it become as flat as a pancake? If the foam cushion springs up quickly after you remove pressure, it’s in good condition. Cushions that are flat or lumpy don’t do any good. They also look unattractive, shabby, and worn down. Worn-out cushions need to be replaced. Some MityLite chairs have replaceable seat cushions. Talk to your Sales Rep to learn more.
- Loose Screws. Check any screws for any looseness or damage. As long as you notice the problem early, this problem can be fixed with just a screwdriver. Tightening a few screws doesn’t take much time, and it can save you a lot over the years. Using chairs with loose screws can result in stripped screw holes, which are almost impossible to repair soundly in metal chair frames.
- Floor Glides. On the bottom of each MityLite chair leg is a floor glide (a protective cap designed to prevent scratches on the floor). Examine chair legs for missing or worn-out floor glides. Without functioning floor glides, chair legs can scratch and damage floors when they’re scooted up to a table, moved around the room or dragged to a different place. Chairs can snag carpet and ruin hard flooring. Floor glides usually last 1 to 3 years in commercial settings, so they’ll need to be replaced periodically. Talk to MityLite Customer Service to order new glides. It’s fairly easy to pry old floor glides off and pop the new ones on.
- Fabric Style & Color. Chairs with outdated upholstery will make your entire property look dated. Consider the fabric material, colors, and patterns. If the chair frames are in good condition, chairs can be reupholstered to correct aesthetic problems like jarring colors or faded fabrics. Selecting MityLite banquet and meeting room chairs with replaceable seats and backrests can make future color scheme adjustments easier on the budget.
Bestselling Chairs for Event Venues
Inspecting Tables at a Commercial Property
Many of the tables used at events will be folding tables. These tables need to be kept in good repair, both for guest safety and to maintain your property’s brand and image. Other tables also should be inspected for signs of wear and tear, including buffet tables, side tables, outdoor tables, and nesting tables.
Fix or Replace? What to Look for When Assessing Tables
- Metal Parts. Look at the hardware: Are all screws, bolts, and hinges intact and secure? Tighten any loose parts and order replacement parts for missing or broken pieces by contacting MityLite Customer Service.
- Table Stability. Apply pressure to the surface to see if it’s sturdy or if it flexes when heavy objects are placed on the tabletop.
- Visual Appeal. Look at the tabletop surface. Check to see if there are scratches or dents. Notice the corners in particular, as corners are often the first places on a table to show signs of wear and tear.
- Table Legs. Check the legs for stability and ensure they lock securely (if foldable). If the table is used without linens, check the legs for appearances. Do they look well-maintained? Could they use a fresh coat of paint?
- Casters and Glides. Inspect for missing corner caps or table feet that could scratch floors or cause wobbling. If there are casters or wheels, check the condition of these and add oil if needed to prevent squeaking when tables and carts are being pushed. You can order new glides or casters from MityLite Customer Service.
Bestselling Tables for Event Venues
Step 3: Timing Is Everything
Even the most durable furniture won’t last forever. Here’s a general guideline you can keep in mind to determine when to budget for replacements.
- High-traffic venues: If your chairs and tables see constant use, they’ll likely need replacing every 5-7 years. MityLite tables and chairs come with a 10-year warranty and may last longer than most products.
- Guest complaints: If you’re hearing feedback about uncomfortable chairs or unstable tables, it’s time to act. Customers don’t go out of their way to tell you about problems with the furniture unless it’s a significant issue.
- Seasonal peaks: Planning for a busy season? Don’t wait for your furniture to fail during a packed event. Most commercial furniture orders take 2 to 3 months for delivery. Plan ahead, and you’ll avoid a lot of stress.
- Visible wear: When repairs no longer cut it, and furniture is no longer looking new, replacement is the smart choice.
Step 4: Make the Smart Choice
If your furniture is past its prime, don’t stress. Replacing it doesn’t have to be a headache. MityLite offers a wide range of durable, stylish furnishings designed specifically for event properties. From chairs and tables to stages and dance floors, we’ve got everything you need to wow your guests and keep your property running smoothly.
Why Choose MityLite Furniture for Commercial Areas?
- Unmatched Durability: Built to withstand years of heavy use.
- Stylish Designs: Complement any event theme or venue décor.
- Custom Options: Tailor your furniture to meet your property’s unique needs.
- Made in North America: Many of our products are crafted in our facilities in Utah, USA and Ontario, Canada.
- Environmentally Friendly: All our products are made with care for the environment in mind. Some have recyclable aluminum and steel frames, and others are made with recycled materials. Most are GREENGUARD-Certified.
Bestselling Furniture for Event Venues
Ready to Upgrade?
Don’t wait to repair or replace until your furniture becomes a liability. Take a proactive approach and upgrade now so that your furnishings reflect the quality and professionalism of your venue. If you need to order replacement parts, our Customer Service department is ready to help you.
Explore our collection of chairs, tables, and stages, and talk to a Sales Rep today. Your guests will thank you—and so will your bottom line
Products Featured in This Article
ABS Rectangle
13 Table Sizes, 4 Table Heights
Imara Nesting Tables
3 Number of Tables, 6 Largest Table Size
Classic Banquet Chairs
5 Chair Back Styles
